The Daily Planet - Superman News and Speculation Thread

[Superark]

I predict a huge Black turnout at the box office at least. We had aunties, uncles, grandmas and grandads go watch Black Panther. I’m certain they will go see a Black Superman.

It’s up in the air on how the white audience will turn out for this.

The two are not relatable at all. Black Panther had so many unique elements to it that drew the huge audience it did.

BP was his own character, not a swapped version. The character had a well built story that was planted in the highly successful Civil War.
Marvel goodwill.
The Africa affiliation of Wakanda meant a lot. It had a deeper meaning for people that this was an African born character. I saw several people embracing their cultural roots in how they chose to dress when seeing the movie. Wakanda may have been fictional, but for many it was a connection to their ancestors homeland.
The magic combination of Chadwick Boseman and Ryan Coogler also cannot be understated.
Of course the movie was terrific and WOM was amazing.

I just don't think it's fair to say it will have the same turnout with the Black Community as BP. Just the initial reaction I am seeing on YouTube and Twitter tells me that.

 

[The Caped Knight]

Just when I think Warner Brothers can't be anymore stupid, turns out they're dumb enough to do even more stupidity.

 

[SuperT]

Have they stated that this will just be Clark/Kal El with just a Black actor or will this be an existing Black Kryptonian?

 

[JeanGreyFan318]

Ummm....who asked for this? The virtue signaling is just . And as a black man I’m supposed to be jumping for joy? Because the next Superman will be a tokenized, sloppy seconds version?

LMAO what a mess!

 

[Frodo]

The two are not relatable at all. Black Panther had so many unique elements to it that drew the huge audience it did.

BP was his own character, not a swapped version. The character had a well built story that was planted in the highly successful Civil War.
Marvel goodwill.
The Africa affiliation of Wakanda meant a lot. It had a deeper meaning for people that this was an African born character. I saw several people embracing their cultural roots in how they chose to dress when seeing the movie. Wakanda may have been fictional, but for many it was a connection to their ancestors homeland.
The magic combination of Chadwick Boseman and Ryan Coogler also cannot be understated.
Of course the movie was terrific and WOM was amazing.

I just don't think it's fair to say it will have the same turnout with the Black Community as BP. Just the initial reaction I am seeing on YouTube and Twitter tells me that.

I think it's fair to say that it's possible, depending on how good the film is, they'll be a big turnout from the Black community. Twitter and Youtube are far from representative of the general audience, ,and certainly the whole of the Black Community.

Youtube and Twitter are perhaps a good sampling of fandom, perhaps even some Blacks in fandom, but I see alot of hoping and wishing from some in fandom that a huge portion of African Americans will somehow be turned off by a "Black Superman film" , and thus support their position against a Black Superman.

At this point, we don't know how a Black Superman film is gonna perform , that's for sure but I do think some fans are hoping for a level of support against a Black Superman film from the Black community that they aren't gonna get.

 

[Detective Conan]

I’d rather they go the Batman route and cast a white actor in the title role and just race-bend his supporting characters like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen buy

 

[C Prometheus]

Have they stated that this will just be Clark/Kal El with just a Black actor or will this be an existing Black Kryptonian?

It’s a Black actor playing “Kal-El,” harkening back to the original comics according to THR. That generally makes me think it’ll be Clark, but the fact that both THR’s update and the original story from February only call him Kal-El admittedly leave room for this to be Calvin Ellis too.

That said, if they’re doing a period piece film and are evoking the original comics, my first impulse is to think that means we’ll see Superman as a reporter- which as far as I know was never something Calvin did in his timeline. So it’s probably Clark? We’ll find out in due time.

 

[Lencho01]

I like looking to Birthright for inspiration for the film’s plot, so definitely agree there.

And although I will argue for Clark Kent being the Superman in this film (I suppose you could rename him Calvin Kent or Calvin Ellis & just adapt Kent’s story although that seems unnecessary), I do think Val Zod’s costume would be awesome to see.

Yeah, Birthright basically had basis on the Golden Age Superman.

I’d be shocked if it was anyone but Clark Kent, to be honest.

The classic suit is always the top choice for me.

 

[DlAMONDZ]

Calvin Ellis

i have little doubts he is going to be Clark, but hey we never know

I doubt the WB suits making the decisions even know who Calvin Ellis is

 

[Maze]

Maybe, but Michael Jordan who met them for the role sure know who Calvin Ellis is. So they may have heard of the character.

 

[Mani-Man]

After thinking about this for a while, im not sure about this to be honest.

Look, im all for the idea that just because a comic book character was always white, doesnt mean he NEEDS to be it in live action too...unless his skin color is essential to the character.

But i get the feeling WB is casting POC not because they are the best for the role.
And now this, which of course may not be 100% real considering this is THR.

But still, lets say it is.
A black Superman in a period piece with a black director?
And sure maybe something like this is needed especially in America these days considering how the deeply rooted racism is still so visible.
Every Good message against Racism and to judge people by their skin color, is something i stand behind.

But it feels at times not like WB does it for genuine reasons.
Especially when we consider that they have many POC DC characters they could use but dont.

Why not do a Calvin Ellis Superman movie in the present time?

I was on board with a black Superman because i thought that his skin color wouldnt be the main focus, now with how this allegedly shapes up...his skin color might be the main point.
Because why do a Period Piece otherwise if not to focus on the Racial Injustice?

I dont know, im very unsure about this.

 

[Prison Mike]

It's going to be Clark Kent and let's be honest, most that are upset about that, is mostly sour grapes over Cavill.

I’m not. As far as we know right now, this takes place outside of the DCEU in its own universe. So Cavill’s Superman is still fair game as far as I’m concerned.

 

[Manny Moo]

Of all the contrived and pandering nonsense this has to take the cake. WB really must be purposefully trying to destroy themselves. The really sad thing is this could have been a fantastic announcement that excited fans, a multiverse of Supermen, but it just looks like a PR stunt and WB executives egos being hurt over the Snyder stuff and acting like children. Can someone tell WB what the multiverse is and that they do not have to choose and create this problem for themselves?

 

[FatRobin]

I'm excited for this, especially if they're able to get Barry Jenkins or any of the listed directors.

 

[Manny Moo]

I predict a huge Black turnout at the box office at least. We had aunties, uncles, grandmas and grandads go watch Black Panther. I’m certain they will go see a Black Superman.

It’s up in the air on how the white audience will turn out for this.

Its a strong possibility that there will be disinterest but I'm not so sure its entirely going to be along racial lines. Black Panther had an entire pre-existing mythos based around a powerful African country, culture and characters. If this is just a straight up traditional Clark Kent swap out, then this reboot has none of that going for it. The race switching looks to me like a very thinly veiled effort to generate chatter and revenue which will be sold as some kind of empowerment. Considering what happened with ZSJL Green Lantern, Ray Fisher, and all the other POC characters that rings a little hollow and makes me cynical of the motivations. I am not black so I can't speak on the excitement that must exist in that community for finally having a black Superman on screen. It sucks not to be more excited for this as a DC fan.

On Frodo's post I think a lot of the divided reaction could have been avoided and is predicated on the way the last version of the character has been treated. Fans want to see the story of Snyder and Cavill's superman continue and end properly. If that happened or were to happen in parallel I generally think the majority of fans who are not into this reboot now, would be onboard. The prospect of a multiverse of Supermen is really a cool idea. In terms of a solo movie series, whatever iteration of the character they go with is an alien, and I think it would be very interesting to see a Superman story juxta positioned between that and the African American experience. A character representing hope through adversity and who still possesses a love for humanity. That's freaking inspiring. I am really bummed the way this is being done. Its gonna steal a really cool moment in cultural and cinematic history of its full potential.

 

[CadeSkywalker28]

Does black superman have any lore and enemies to fight in the comics?

Will this movie be made on the basis of nothing more than superman being black?

I'd would rather see a movie about Steel. Guy inspired by Superman creates his own Iron Man-style armor.

 

[Mani-Man]

I’m not. As far as we know right now, this takes place outside of the DCEU in its own universe. So Cavill’s Superman is still fair game as far as I’m concerned.

Which kind of annoys me to be honest.
Because we get a a new "Main" Universe more than likely after Flashpoint, where they have Batman, WW, Aquaman, Flash etc...but seemingly so far no plan for Superman.

We got hyped with a Superman reboot yet this isnt really a reboot when its not connected to anything.

So what are their plans with Superman in the "Main universe"?
For christ sake WB, get your **** together on this.
I dont care if a black superman or asian or white...give me a good "Main Universe" Superman.

I'm excited for this, especially if they're able to get Barry Jenkins or any of the listed directors.

It would definitly be a strongly directed movie with the names that have been thrown around so far.

Does black superman have any lore and enemies to fight in the comics?

Will this movie be made on the basis of nothing more than superman being black?

I'd would rather see a movie about Steel. Guy inspired by Superman creates his own Iron Man-style armor.

Which Black Superman? There are a few.
We havent too much on those Supermans, they sadly havent yet gotten enough material and world building.

We dont even know if this article is true, so its at the moment impossible to say.
But given that is allegedly a Period piece, its more than likely that it will put a lot of focus on the skin color of the character.

Eh, i think a Steel only works when you have a established Superman.
But its one of the concepts that would be neat to see in the future.

 

[Prison Mike]

Even after Flashpoint, I don’t think The Batman will be connected to anything. It will be in its own universe just as the Joker movie was in its own universe. This new Superman will also be in its own universe. Now unless they plan to do some team up movies or something, there’s really no point in having a main universe. I do like the idea of having two different Supermans on the big screen at the same time. I still like the Cavill version and believe there can be a really good Superman film with him if given a proper chance.

 

[Marvel united]

How about Jovan Adepo ('When They See Us', 'Fences') as Clark Kent/Kal-El?

Does black superman have any lore and enemies to fight in the comics?

Will this movie be made on the basis of nothing more than superman being black?

I'd would rather see a movie about Steel. Guy inspired by Superman creates his own Iron Man-style armor.

You can easily reimagine or re-contextualize a lot of Superman's classic foes through a social lense. Lex Luthor for example, can be the ultimate personification of white entitlement and/or fragility. Lex is so outraged that Superman-- a Black man who can move mountains with his bear hands-- exists, that he dedicates his life and all of his resources, to trying to destroy him. Because he is insecure, and he feels entitled to the perceived power that Kal-El has.

At the same time, I could see someone like John Corben aka Metallo, being black, and being reimagined as the personification of self-hate. Imagine someone like Daniel Kaluuya in that role

 

[Prison Mike]

I just don’t want this movie to be 2 hours of white people acting racist toward Clark/Superman. I watch movies for escapism and not for something that I can easily watch on CNN. It really depends on the execution of this. What they should do is celebrate and honor Black culture, like Black Panther did so well at, rather than make people feel bad about themselves.

 

[Maze]

I see it like this. An alternate story that can be interesting, like Red Son was.

 

[Detective Conan]

Have they stated that this will just be Clark/Kal El with just a Black actor or will this be an existing Black Kryptonian?

Only Kal-El has been seemingly confirmed. The only thing that hasn’t been confirmed is whether they will go with the classic Clark Kent civilian identity, or go with Calvin. I actually think it’s likely Coates will want to create an entirely new civilian identity for his version of Kal-El.

 

[Boom]

The article also said this:

Sources tell THR that Coates is crafting a Kal-El in the vein of the original Superman comics and will have the protagonist hail from Krypton and come to Earth.

That reads as Clark Kent to me, seeing as Val Zod and Calvin Ellis have only existed within the last 15 years.

 

[Mysteryman]

I have seen some people online suggest that the reference to Superman's Kryptonian name is some sort of typo. The obvious problem with that is WB had ALL DAY yesterday to walk that back.
Still it could be a combo.
Kal- El as Calvin Ellison.
We shall see.

 

[Marvel united]

Only Kal-El has been seemingly confirmed. The only thing that hasn’t been confirmed is whether they will go with classic Clark Kent civilian identity, or go with Calvin. I actually think it’s likely Coates will want to create an entirely new civilian identity for his version of Kal-El.

What makes you think that? The article did state that Coates was crafting a Kal-El in vein of the "original comics". That coupled with the period piece aspect, leads me to believe this could be an adaptation of Action Comics issue number #1



Which is honestly the perfect way to approach a Black Superman.