In the many decades since Superman was first unleashed upon the world, there have been countless fantastic stories centered around the Man of Steel, one of which is definitely Mark Millar's "Superman: Red Son." The Elseworlds tale reimagines Superman's origin story with a simple yet profound twist; instead of Superman's rocket ship landing in Kansas where he was raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent to fight for truth, justice, and the American way, the ship instead landed in Ukraine where he was raised by the Soviet Union to fight the never-ending battle for Stalin, socialism, and the international expansion of the Warsaw Pact. It's a great Superman story and would definitely make for a kick-ass film, which is exactly what Jordan Vogt-Roberts (KONG: SKULL ISLAND) thought when he pitched Warners Bros. a live-action adaptation of "Superman: Red Son."
While speaking with Mark Millar on Twitter, Jordan Vogt-Roberts revealed that he had pitched the story to the studio several months ago, but that they had unfortunately decided to pass. The KONG: SKULL ISLAND director argued that we've reached the point where we're ready to step beyond the shared universe of comic-book movies and begin introducing one-offs.
This thread is giving me tangential pangs of what-could-have-been for the version of Red Son I pitched that will sadly never get made. Oy.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Wait, really? Because I pitched it to them months ago and was told no. It's the most punk rock thing the DCEU could do in my mind.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
I think it's necessary for the comic book movie as a whole to take a step beyond the shared universe by introducing one-off movies.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Closest thing yeah. But they were able to do it as it marked the end of Jackman's run. I think a "main timeline" can exist with alt-stories.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
When I was pitching Red Son I wasn't even convinced you needed Affleck & Cavill. Public understanding of the medium has evolved…
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
I think we can sustain a "main shared universe" AND offshoots with alternate takes on characters & different actors existing simultaneously.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
100% agree – in the excitement for shared universes I think people forget the fundamental potency of cinema is a beginning, middle and end.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Yeah. I truly think audiences are ready for it and will reward it. Oh well…
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
I struggle to think of a more meaningful take on Superman in the world we live in. Plus the overall context is eerily relevant now.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Well, when I discovered it my brain melted out of my ears. Been cleaning myself off the floors ever since.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Re: Red Son story. I have no idea if this is being developed. I pitched it to DC as something *i want to do* not something they pitched me.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
Some of the stories out there make it seem like I was one of many pitching a take on something they want to make. That's not true.
— Jordan Vogt-Roberts (@VogtRoberts) June 27, 2017
With Warner Bros. still trying to get their DC Extended Universe on the right track, I can't imagine that they'll be jumping into alternate Superman stories anytime soon. However, I can see the studio using "Superman: Red Son," or at least parts of it, in the future, so I suppose we should never say never.
How would you feel about a live-action adaptation of Superman: Red Son? Should Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck reprise their roles or would Warner Bros. be wise to recast the roles for the one-off?
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