USA Today goes all out in its coverage of Superman Returns, which opens next Wednesday (just in case you forgot). There’s a “Superman Through the Years” quiz, a graphic charting the evolution of the famous “S” emblem and a report from the movie’s Los Angeles premiere.
But wait, there’s more!
The article looks at the way depictions of Superman have changed over the past seven decades, with quotes from writers Brad Meltzer and Steven T. Seagle, artist Teddy Kristiansen, DC Comics Publisher Paul Levitz, and director Bryan Singer.
“Just as the Greek gods represented their society, Superman is like the avatar of the United States,” Meltzer tells the newspaper. “It’s how we want to see ourselves. That’s why he gets more powerful and that’s why he gets more handsome. It becomes our own wish fulfillment.”
The Boston Herald, meanwhile, takes an abbreviated look at the life of the Man of Steel on film and television and in comics since 1980’s Superman II.
‘That’s the guy. Bring him in’
The Age of Australia turns its attention to the actor in the blue tights — or, more specifically, the many actors who were considered for the role of Superman before Bryan Singer chose Brandon Routh.
Everyone remembers Nicolas Cage signing to star in Tim Burton’s Superman film. Five years later, when Brett Ratner was directing and J.J. Abrams was writing the script, Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Walker and James Marsden all auditioned for the part. (Marsden, of course, plays Richard White in Superman Returns.)
After Joseph “McG” Nichol quickly came and went, Warner Bros. tapped Singer. And Singer saw his Man of Steel: Brandon Roth (rhymes with “south”).
Among the souvenirs handed down from Burton to Ratner to Nichol to Singer were audition tapes … and plenty of them. …
Then, among the pile, came a tape of a largely unknown actor, an Iowa lad named Brandon Routh whose acting highlight on his resume was a stint on American TV soap opera, One Life to Live.
“At one point we were watching tapes and Bryan literally stopped and went, ‘Who is that guy?”‘ [screenwriter Dan] Harris said.
“I said ‘Well, he looks a little like Tom Cruise mixed with Christopher Reeve’.
“Bryan said ‘No, no, no. That’s the guy. Bring him in’.”
More coverage:
iTunes exclusive premiere: scene from Superman Returns
