WHAT ABOUT THE MAN OF STEEL?

Of course everyone's attention has been drawn elsewhere, but everything that is to come began with "Man Of Steel". Which of course, is a Superman movie. With the upcoming 2016 sequel looking more and more like the first installment of a Justice League movie, even with the casting of Lex Luthor we were given Alfred Pennyworth, a key Batman character. Of course, there has been talks and rumors of another villain to the mix, that may help keep this more Superman than Justice League, but even if it does everyone will be wanting to expand the team (if it hasn't already grown for MOS follow-up), drawing even more attention away from Superman.

What direction will they take? Will they keep Superman the focal point of the not only the upcoming movie but the ones that are sure to follow (if successful)? Are they simply using a "Man Of Steel" sequel as a per-cursor to a following but separate "Justice League" movie, leaving comic books original superhero to a film franchise of his own? I like to think that it will be the latter of the two, giving Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and whomever else they add their own films that all culminate in a Justice League. It is working for Marvel as we all know, and sooner or later they end up "borrowing" from each other creatively, so why not take a sure fire route, given the writing, directing and acting are up to par of course.

Regardless of what direction that they end up taking, there are some Superman characters that have yet to appear within the new universe, that should get a cameo in the very least, if not a starring or supporting role. Some will be making their big-screen debuts, others will be returning to the silver screen partaking in the live action blockbuster(s), here's a list of characters who need to appear in upcoming Superman "Man Of Steel" films...

Jimmy Olsen

Although not a spot on replica, in some ways this is Clark Kent's "Alfred". Who else does Clark have to call his friend? True, there is Lois, but we all know there is something more to that, and of course there is Ma Kent but even the biggest momma's boy can't tell his mother everything. This is where Jimmy comes in, he adds an new aspect to add to the Last Son Of Krypton and his human side. Or to simply add a light comedic tone to an otherwise slightly darker Metropolis.

Jor El

I didn't mind Russell Crowe and his interpretation of Superman's biological father, Jor El. Crowe himself has stated that he would like to do a solo film based on the character. As intriguing as that sounds, I would settle for him reappearing within the upcoming "Man Of Steel" films. Not necessarily in large roles, but there for advice type of roles. Although small, they require an actor to give the scenes depth, otherwise it just becomes a hollow message to not only the hero, but if they chose, the audience.

Doomsday

Probably a better choice for a group effort in a "Justice League" film, but before he stars in that, Doomsday needs to face Superman mano a mano. Dealing Supes his first near death experience, before having the favor returned within the "Justice League" flick at the hands of a returning Superman. Okay, maybe just my take on "what should be" but you get the idea. This is the villain that helped take comic books back into the "mainstream" when he killed off the untouchable Superman in the 1990's. Smallville wasn't too bad considering it was a television show, this monster need the big screen treatment to truly work.

Supergirl

A lot of people were upset with the ending of "Man Of Steel", perhaps Superman is upset with himself as well, and who better to help alleviate the guilt but his cousin? Of course, he's made the promise to try and always find away to do things without killing, but he doesn't even know how to stop himself yet, so give him a break. Kara also deserves some big-screen redemption, not meaning to really knock the 1984 attempt as it was an okay effort for the time it was made in. If anything, it is another option for the female fans out there who are even more limited now then we were pre-2000.

Kryptonite

Okay, it isn't a character per say. Not unless it is put inside a character (Kryptonite Man, Metallo, etc), but regardless of who and how, it needs to make an appearance within this movie universe. How else are they going to make Superman vulnerable at times. which are needed because he loses people when he is "too perfect". We know the hero is going to succeed in almost every outcome, they are highly likely to live on and give us more movies. It is the vulnerabilities that cast that little bit of doubt that keeps it interesting. They hinted at it with the needing to adapt to both Earths and Kryptons environments, but those are overcome simply by adapting to it over time. The traditional route or a new Government made version of the pieces of rock that make the Man Of Steel humble.


There are other characters of course, specifically Metallo (mentioned in "Kryptonite"), but this is the tip of the ice berg. It was reassuring having Lex Luthor finally cast, keeping this on a Superman route. Seems Henry Cavill's Superman is slightly in the background of what he helped make happen, which was delivering in the role and having fans actually wanting this sequel before there was even a whisper of Batman being involved in all of this. Something that was difficult to achieve with fans still fixed on the late, great Christoher Reeve and his iconic interpretation of Superman. Hopefully this list will be given reason to grow and evolve as I am hoping to be able to do with so far the Batman and Wonder Woman characters hopefully getting solo spin-offs.

Stay Nerdy!