SINGER SIGNS ON FOR SUPERMAN SEQUEL - OFFICIAL
As he as much as announced at the San Diego Comic-Con, Bryan Singer has signed on to direct a sequel to this summer's Superman Returns, this according to Variety - confirming rumors that were flying at the end of last week.
The sequel, though not greenlit by the studio, is expected to be released in summer of 2009, although, according to the trade, there is no script or budget as of yet.
As Variety interprets the pacting between Singer and the studio for a sequel - though Superman Returns didn't perform as the studio had hoped, it's not about to walk away from the Superman film franchise. The trade reported Warner Bros. and co-financer/co-producer Legendary Pictures as saying that they will still turn a profit on Superman Returns, noting that the film has just crossed $200 million domestically, and more than $390 worldwide.
The budget for the sequel, reportedly, will be under $200 million, with Warners put at $209 million after tax rebates and incentives, although, as has been previously noted, when factoring in all the development costs to get Superman Returns to theaters (multiple scripts, directors and lead actors), the total costs for the film over the years to Warners has been nearly $250 million - though the $40 million in development previous to this specific version of the film, as been absorbed.
Warners has an option on Brandon Routh for the sequel, which, according to Singer when speaking at Comic-Con, will be more action-oriented, as the director said that while Superman Returns allowed him to introduce the cast, the sequel would allow him to, "Go Wrath of Khan on it." While Singer didn't name any particular villains that would be in the sequel, he teased - more than once - of an alien threat.
Anybody thinking Brainiac? Or Darkseid?
