OPEN LETTER TO DC ENTERTAINMENT: Please, Give Superman A Rest, Why Don't Ya!

Dear Publishers, Editors, Financiers, etc., of DC Comics,

I'm writing to you as a loyal fan for well over twenty years to plead with you NOT to resurrect the Superman franchise. Not because I hate Superman, but because I LOVE Superman. My biggest fear is that whatever you guys come up with will only disappoint me and millions of fans worldwide. And lord knows I don't want to be disappointed by a Superman movie again.

Also, I just don't think no matter how hard you try, you're never going to top the original movie from 1978. Sure, the special effects seem primitive to today's standards, and even the story may be a bit hackneyed, but it's left a lasting impression on an entire generation that really won't be duplicated, at least not in my eyes. A good bit of the credit goes to the late Christopher Reeve, who gave 100% to portraying this character with dignity and integrity. And now you want to bring in guys like Christopher Nolan and David Goyer to revamp it. Thanks, but no thanks.

Don't get me wrong, I love Nolan's movies. I think he's done a wonderful job revitalizing the Batman franchise. And I have great respect for Goyer, as well. But from what I've seen, neither of them seem like the right fit for a Superman movie. And I don't buy the whole making Superman "darker" and "edgier" bit either. Superman is neither of those; he's the beacon of hope for the DC Universe. He's supposed to be bright and vibrant where others are dark and gloomy. If you take that aspect away from him, you've killed the character pretty much.

Now you've tried to take this approach before in Superman Returns, and look how that turned out. Granted, it wasn't considered an all-over failure, but it didn't meet anyone's expectations. Not the studios, and certainly not the fans. Now, I will admit, there are parts of the movie that work, but there are more parts that don't. I won't get into all of that right now, though, but just know that going dark and edgy doesn't work for the character; Superman Returns is a prime example of that. Although I do think Brandon Routh could've been great if given better material to work with.

I would rather go another twenty odd years for a great Superman movie than to see a rather mediocre Superman movie in about two to three years. And honestly, it seems as though that is what we're looking forward to in the near future; Warner Bros. is more concerned about setting up a new franchise and making a mint off of it that it seems like they're willing to compromise the integrity of the character to make him more "relevant" and "hip" with today's generation. Let me just say this: the character has been around since 1938, and although he's evolved over the years, the dynamic is still the same, and people identify with it. Now there are people who aren't going to like Superman because he's "way too powerful" or that he's a "big blue boy scout." To those people I say: 1) there are lots of characters now in the DC Universe who are just as powerful, if not more powerful than Superman, so you don't have a leg to stand on in that argument anymore, and 2) what's so wrong with being a boy scout? I used to be a boy scout! Don't make me get my bowie knife on you!

Sorry, I got off on a tangent there. Anyway, my point being: if the character isn't considered relevant or hip anymore, then how come he's endured for so long while other comics and pulp heroes of the same era have dwindled into obscurity? My belief is that he symbolizes everything that is good with human kind, and furthermore he proves that it's not what you can do, but what you choose to do that matters. With all his power and strength, he could dominate us all, but instead he chooses to help us. Now that's something can be admired.

In conclusion, DC Execs, if you're going to go through with the movie, please, please, keep these things in mind, otherwise just stop it all together and try to make some ultra-violent, vulgar-humored superhero movies like this one.

With love and respect,

LEW!

P.S. And I'll have none of this, thank you!