Warner Brothers Wants a Darker Superman

Quote, “Like the recent Batman sequel, [Warner Brother’s President of Production Jeff Robinov] wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as The Dark Knight…he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.’ DC properties. “We’re going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it,” he says. That goes for the company’s Superman franchise as well.” — Latino Review

The only problem with that strategy is SUPERMAN IS NOT DARK. In anything I would consider decently-written material in keeping with the canon of his story, he’s the epitome of purity of heart. He’s the icon of goodness. The almost-immovable, incorruptible hero with super strength who uses it for good. Batman once said, “It is a remarkable dichotomy. In many ways, [Superman] is the most human of us all. Then…he shoots fire from the skies, and it is difficult not to think of him as a god. And how fortunate we all are that it does not occur to him.” The Dark Knight wasn’t successful because it tapped into some secret, special dark place, it was successful because the world of The Batman is inherently dark. It was successful because it was true to form and character. 

Warner Brothers, you think making the Man of Steel darker is the key to “unlocking” Superman? That’s the exact opposite of what you should do. Try making a movie in keeping with the character’s world for once, instead.