Man of Steel hasn’t hit theaters yet, but the early buzz is in — and it is positive. At least in terms of the comic community; the folks I follow on Twitter are all pretty excited. Rotten Tomatoes holds a 74% at the time of this writing, but this is markedly better than Green Lantern’s not-so-impressive 26%. DC needs a win that isn’t Batman, and it is apparent that Superman’s new movie (because that’s what it is — Superman’s new movie) is something that is being chalked up in the win column.
That’s why, before it is even released to the public, DC and Warner Bros are fast-tracking a sequel, according to Deadline. And why not? According to Forbes, we’re looking at a potential $100 Million Plus opening, roughly half of Green Lantern’s total box office (it made $21.6 million opening). Snyder and Goyer will both return in the same capacity they performed with Man of Steel (director and writer, respectively), although Chris Nolan’s role is up in the air.
The numbers a little less impressive when you consider that The Dark Knight Rises made just about that much in one day, but historically audiences have a hard time connecting with Superman. Either he’s “too powerful” to be interesting (the amount of people who think Kryptonite is the only thing that can take him down is rather large), the allegory he creates of humanity isn’t “interesting” or he’s just not Batman — people will find any reason not to like him, no matter how otherwise trite. And who can blame then? In between lifting islands of Kryptonite in Superman Returns and not doing anything really all that super, audiences distrust the character’s role in film.
But, hey, if Marvel can turn around Hulk, there are less difficult tasks that can surely performed. Making an enjoyable Superman film seems as easy as petting a kitten in comparison.
And with Chris Nolan in a producers chair and a Hans Zimmer score, it’s a little hard not to be somewhat excited for the release. Plus: Michael Shannon being crazy! Who doesn’t like Michael Shannon being crazy? It’s literally the only reason to watch Boardwalk Empire.
Either way, DC and Warner Bros are obviously thinking happy thoughts on this film, it’s future and whatever role it will play in DC’s Justice League film franchise to combat the Marvel Avengers powerhouse. We’ll find out if the confidence they’re displaying pays off for them when Man of Steel hits theaters this weekend.
