Superman In LA Times

A recent LA Times article takes a look at the production of Superman Returns. It includes insights on the characters from Bryan Singer, Brandon Routh, and Kevin Spacey.

In addition, the article speculates about whether the movie Superman will appeal to a new generation.

The June release of "Superman Returns" will end a long, ugly and often ridiculous quest to relaunch the first and greatest superhero as a silver-screen venture. And a lot has happened since last we left our hero; the 1987 "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" was a poor final flight for the late Christopher Reeve, and in the years since a different sort of hero has filled the void. Costumed characters such as Batman, Spider-Man, the X-Men and the Incredibles not only made big box office, they also flipped the definitions of the genre. In temperament, Superman is essentially a big, blue Boy Scout — but the heroes now in favor come wrapped in dangerous black leather, fight authority or wrestle with internal angst. Sometimes they even lose. All that keeps them down to earth, unlike the traditional and invulnerable Man of Steel.

The new edgy generation also comes in PG-13 films, but now Superman, like a Midwest candidate lauding family values, is expected to arrive at theaters as proudly PG. That rating gives it the rare "movie for all ages" status, but it also risks the dreaded eye-roll from teenagers, the constituency that clearly rules the summer movies.

Interesting. Is Superman not "edgy" enough for today's teens? Has he become too dated for modern audiences?