Latest news with #comicbook
Gizmodo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
It's Been 25 Years Since Tobey Maguire Was Cast in ‘Spider-Man'
The Sam Raimi Spider-Man films serve as the blueprint for many superhero movies that have sprung from comic book pages and onto the big screen in the last quarter-century. The spectacle, action, and hero's journey of one Peter Parker captivated audiences, thanks in part to the stellar casting of Tobey Maguire as the Marvel icon. It's hard to believe that Maguire's turn as Peter Parker was announced 25 years ago this week. The life-changing role propelled the actor into the hearts and minds of kids as their Spider-Man. He had by then been featured in critical darling features such as The Cider House Rules and Wonder Boys. However, as Spider-Man, he became a household name and the Spidey so many of us grew up with. Much like Christopher Reeve's Superman before him, Maguire exemplified Parker's core tenet of goodness: to use his abilities to help the people of his city. Here's the casting announcement that was published at that time by Columbia Pictures: At that point we had Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the X-Men series, whose clawed hero was more rough around the edges, while Maguire as Parker really shone as a pure-of-heart hero. And much like Jackman, Maguire set the standard of his character while even returning to reprise the role in recent features. We've had really neat full-circle moments with both actors, with Jackman returning in Deadpool & Wolverine, while the Spider-Man finger-point meme came to life when Maguire met Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield's Spider-Men in Spider-Man: No Way Home. And while the Spidey suit still fits, we have the feeling it might not be the last time he dons it. In the meantime fans will be able to see the extended Spider-Man 2 this fall when it returns to theaters September 26. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Comic-Con 2025: Major Moments, Reveals and Exclusive Drops
There are comic cons and then there's COMIC-CON in San Diego (SDCC). Considered the American mecca for comic book lovers and the unofficial stomping grounds of comic-related film announcements, it's a world unto itself. Founded in 1970, today—it now sees nearly 150,000 attendees through its convention doors in San Diego. There's a multitude of panels, showcases, costume galas, cosplay and much more. Within the framework of memorabilia, films, fashion, and all things fanfare—these are some of the most compelling news and insights that you can take advantage of, regardless if you were in attendance or not. 'Space Batman' by Bill Sienkiewicz, 2025 — has retuned from the International Space Station. Bill Sienkiewicz What: The caped crusader AKA Bill Sienkiewicz's, and his 'Space Batman' watercolor art, has returned from its month-long residency aboard the International Space Station. Why this matters: Per Dent/ The Future (an organization that fosters groundbreaking ideas and community collaboration), the act attempts to level the playfield of entry into outer space, 'sending Batman to space represents something significant: the normalization of space access. When artists can send their work to orbit, when small organizations can navigate NASA partnerships, when the barrier to entry drops from billions to thousands of dollars, we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how humans interact with space,' - per the company. For more details on their mission, visit the website HERE. The museum's complex will include galleries, two theaters, a library, restaurant, café, retail store, and community spaces. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art What: Famous filmmaker George Lucas made his first-time appearance at San Diego Comic-Con. He was on a panel alongside Academy award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and Academy award-winning artist Doug Chiang (moderated by Queen Latifah) to give fans a sneek peak of the immersive 'Lucas Museum of Narrative Art', slated for a 2026 opening. Why: 'Society is held together by stories,' says Lucas. He has been collecting paintings, murals, illustrations, comics, digital media, and sculptures for over 50 years. Now, it's all soon-to-be housed inside a 300,000 space in Los Angeles (conceived by architect Ma Yansong), this personal collection of over 40,000 pieces is intended to be a love letter to art in all its manifestations. In showcasing everything from Norman Rockwell to Charles Schulz, Lucas's idea is to tap into human emotions/connections in response to this visual storytelling. Instead of ranking art types in terms of one being superior to the other—he says that his intention is to democratize the landscape and set the tone for making it accessible to everyone. 'It's a temple to the people's art,' Lucas adds. To stay up to date on the news and the grand opening, visit the website HERE. 3. Archie Versus Minor Threats Launches Bold Comic Book Crossover Archie vs. Minor Threats #1 (of 4) lands at your LCS August 6th. Minor Threats / Dark Horse Comics What: An all-star team of writers and artists come together for the ultimate collaboration in the comic book world with 'Archie vs. Minor Threats': 'it shouldn't work, but it does,' says Timmy Heague. He joins Patton Oswalt and Jordan Blum on writing duties for this mash-up miniseries that pits the wide-eyed teens of Archie against the edgy supervillains from the Minor Threats universe. This zany juxtaposition is bolstered with narrative flashbacks from Archie, Betty, Veronica, and the rest of the gang vis-a-vis their most iconic looks since the comic was founded in A-line skirts and wide-legged trousers of the 40s to the chic/grunge aesthetic of the 1990s and beyond—all conceived by artist Scott Koblish—who deftly balances the modern with the vintage. Why this matters: Blending legacy characters with the dynamism of new ones brings about not only a nostalgic revival to longstanding Archie fans, but entices new people to learn about this beloved gang. Meanwhile, the Minor Threats universe is the perfect playground to host all of these misadventures and shenanigans—it solidifies the idea that for indie comics and publishers like Dark Horse, everything is fluid and that it's fun to take risks (as well as tap into one's creativity with these types of parameters in place). With the larger picture in mind—perceiving 'challenges' as opportunities means that this kind visual storytelling can take us beyond classic superhero narratives and tropes. August 6, 2025 is when 'Archie vs. Minor Threats #1 (of 4) ' will be available in comic shops. It is currently available for pre-order from your local comic shop for $4.99. 4. Archie Versus Minor Threats Launches Bold Comic Book Crossover Popmart activation at SDCC 2025 is centered around the idea of the American road-trip and making those iconic gas station pit-stops. Popmart What: The iconic 'American road trip' makes a pit-stop to all things cute, cuddly, and collectable. Pop Mart, a global designer of collectables IP brand at the crossroads of art, fashion and culture—has debuted their 'Play Stop'—a play off of iconic gas station/refuelling spots that dot the US roadways, but stationed at San Diego Comic Con. 'Play Stop' unveiled exclusives, first-to-market releases, and beloved characters that are available for purchase beyond the con. This includes their 'DUCKOO' Fountain figure; and 'Nyota is Amor' Figure—but if you're not attending the con, they still have items they've launched here that you can snag afterwards. This includes Mega Molly Hot Wheels (400% size); Star Wars Bobble Head Series Figures; Nota Love Comes with the Wind Figure; and Peach Riot Carry The Music Series Pop Block Pendant. Lastly, they've debuted 6 new colorways for their Labubus—currently, a breakout phenomenon that everyone is talking about. Why this matters: It's a brand that's been able to capture the vitality and imaginations of young and old alike. Even in a saturated market, they've been able to rise to the top of the competition—but it's not been an overnight success (contrary to popular belief). The build in the United States has been slow and methodical. In fact, the Labubu dolls and their respective lore have existed for a decade now. It's a testament to the company in its ability to weave a relevant and relatable narrative with consumers—and why it is currently one of those most highly sought after dolls. Visit the Pop Mart website for the entire roster of collectible drops. 5. Neopets Revival Taps Nostalgia with Wearable Merch Line Neopet x Steady Hands collaboration. Steady Hands What: Neopets, the virtual pet game (akin to a Tamagotchi but you can customize your critter with digital food, toys, clothing and more — to keep them content) is experiencing a heartfelt revival. With new and returning users, players can actually reclaim their old accounts—tapping into a nostalgic and childhood wellspring. Driving community is at the heart of their every goal. Chatting with me at their SDCC booth, CEO Dominic Law says that their 'world-building' includes mindful collaborations that extend into wearable merchandise such as their line of sweaters, bags, and accessories done conjunction with Steady Hands. Why: Launched in 1999, the Neopets is now feeling the love with its longstanding community—and they are returning the affection by partnering with local enterprises to tap into 'fandom' culture—with opportunities to quite literally 'wear' one's hobbies on their sleeves. It's another way Gen Z are showcasing their authentic selves and essentially putting a radar on themselves to attract their 'tribe' in the real world. All collection pieces can be found HERE and the Neopets website is HERE. 6. Old Spice Teams up with DC for Superman Grooming Collection Old Spice x Superman limited edition bath and body collection for men. Old Spice What: According to Old Spice, Superman apparently smells like Bright Citrus and the Cosmos. The company collaborated with DC Comics to develop a limited edition line of deodorant, body wash, and shampoo products for men. To further celebrate this collection and the new Superman movie — they had an AR 'crash site' experiential capsule at Comic-Con to 'unlock a portal to Krypton'—AKA a fun way to get a sample of the deodorant and allow fans to smell and snap selfies with it. Why: Brand collaborations are no surprise but the right alignment (and timing) makes all the difference. Capitalizing from the extreme popularity and exposure from the film, coupled with the fact that men's 'beauty' care regimes are still in its infancy with American men—compared to the comprehensive ones that South Korean men exercise (as a prime example)—makes this a great 'gateway' into beauty products and self-care routines for the masses (at an affordable price). Shop the collection HERE. 7. Star Wars and RockLove Debut Galactic Forge Jewelry Line Exclusive collaboration drop with Star Wars and RockLove Jewelry with Galactic Forge. RockLove Jewelry What: The force is with founder Allison Cimino and her women-owned and operated traceable metal jewelry that's rife in sophisticated yet affordable fandom. At her SDCC booth, they offered attendees an exclusive treat—in a rare blessing from LucasFilms, they were allowed to laser engrave names in Aurebesh into their sterling silver and brass bracelets via their latest collection drop ' Galactic Forge'. While the engraving was only available during Comic-Con, fans can still peruse the new 'Galactic Forge' collection to showcase their fandom of Star Wars. To add personalization and embellishment, RockLove has also created 'Enhancers' AKA double-sided charms with motifs that die-hard fans will appreciate (e.g. Star Wars easter eggs); and the look is completed with Swarovski crystals. Why : Per Cimino, fandom jewelry is oftentimes cheaply made and littered with harmful/ allergy-inducing metals (that cause rashes, as an example). Cimino is not only elevating this style of jewelry-crafting but making the price-point accessible and affordable. She also asserts that despite the optics of working with major brands, they are very much a boutique enterprise—the exposure from Comic-Con is immense and the support from regular customers and new ones is appreciated. Shop the new collection HERE. 8. Her Universe Fashion Show Celebrates Fandom and Design Talent Fire in My Blood Design by Leah Mednick. Mark Edwards Photography What: The 11th annual 'Her Universe Fashion Show' presented by Universal happened on July 24th. The theme was 'Defying Fashion: Fashion That Defies Expectations.' In honor of this, founder Ashley Eckstein floated down the runway in a Glinda-inspired ensemble created by Andrew MacLaine. Her and co-host Michael James Scott celebrated the procession of talents that debuted their looks. This year's two winning designers will get the opportunity to design their own fashion collection with Her Universe along with receiving a $2000 cash prize. The winner (as chosen by the judges) is Lynleigh Sato from Redondo Beach, CA; and the second winner (as chosen by the audience) is Caitlin Beards, Randolph, NJ. The collections will be sold at retail and online in 2026. Why: Founder Ashley Eckstein says that this fashion show spearheads the importance of investing in your community and to nourish it, 'when I founded Her Universe, we had a strict 'community first' rule and The Her Universe Fashion Show is a love letter to our fans and our mission. Our show proves that when you do the right thing for your consumer, it pays dividends.' James Scott adds that this event (hosted at one of the biggest 'fandom' platforms in the world) gives a necessary spotlight to emerging talents and giving them an incredible launching pad to the world of fashion merchandising, 'these talented designers get to really think outside the box and what a beautiful lesson for not only for these designers but for all of us to be inspired by. Fashion is limitless and so let's all defy gravity and party the only way the Her Universe Fashion Show community knows how while we're at it.' Shop all current designs and collaborations HERE 9. Fantastic Four Collectibles from Loungefly and Funko Sell Out Fast Limited Edition/ SDCC Exclusive Faux leather Fantastic Four backpack inspired by the film hero uniform. Includes detachable enamel pin. Marvel/ Loungefly What: To honor the excitement and fanfare of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' film which just landed in theaters July 25th, Marvel has collaborated with Loungefly, a shop dedicated to 'high quality, innovative fashion that blends style with fandom... with a story behind every seam,'—and coveted items like SDCC Limited Edition Fantastic Four Uniform Full-Size Backpack with Pin; Fantastic Four H.E.R.B.I.E. Cosplay Mini Backpack; BITTY POP! Fantastic Four First Steps 4- Pack; and Pop! Fantastic Four H.E.R.B.I.E bobblehead are up for grabs. Why: Film and wearable fandom go hand in hand (and isn't a new phenomenon)—particularly when it's a SDCC exclusive, the hysteria level goes through the roof. However, it's the quality that has grown exponentially— where once you could only find standard t-shirts and hats, the diversity of products has gotten not only more intricate but is offered at a reasonable price point (e.g. $14.99 - $100), making entry and access easier than ever. See the product range HERE. 10. Peacemaker and McFarlane Toys Reveal Exclusive Action Figures Peacemaker x McFarlane Toys exclusive drop includes figurines, t-shirts, and collectable pins. DC/ Warner Bros. What: Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products unveiled exclusive merchandise ahead of the second season premiere of 'Peacemaker' which debuts on HBO August 21st—of which the cast and crew (Director James Gunn; actor John Cena) were present to talk about at a highly coveted panel during SDCC. The licensed merchandise includes t-shirts that the company says channels a chaotic/rock-glam aesthetic. Meanwhile, McFarlane Toys offered SDCC attendees a first-glimpse their new seven-inch action figure, where pre-orders are now open to everyone HERE. Why: The subculture of comic book figurines makes this a show pony must-have piece. Designed with Ultra Articulation (action figures with a high degree of detail, movability and/or dynamic displays)— this Peacemaker creation includes a wealth of accessories that include Eagly, three interchangeable helmets, an unmasked head portrait, and more. McFarlane Toys also is offering exclusive pins and 'Peacemaker' t-shirts for purchase. To see the collection, visit the website HERE.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
'Superman' Production Designer Breaks Down Sets From James Gunn Film
DAVID CORENSWET as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures' 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. ***WARNING! The following contains spoilers for Superman (2025)!*** Beth Mickle learned she'd be designing the sets for James Gunn's fresh blockbuster take on the Man of Steel over text. In particular, it was producer and Gunn's co-head of DC Studios, Peter Safran, who broke the exciting news to her with four words: 'I got the script a couple days later and started talking with James immediately,' recalls the production designer, who previously worked with the filmmaker on The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. 'You just pinch yourself when a title like that comes your way. You just pinch yourself that you're going to get the opportunity to work on something as iconic as that.' Set three years into the Kryptonian's crime-fighting career, Superman sees David Corenswet (Hollywood, Twisters) as the latest actor to don the red cape and trunks. To that end, Gunn presents a big, beautiful comic book adventure that effectively resets the onscreen DC Universe with eye-popping style and panache, while reminding us why the Man of Tomorrow remains the most beloved iconic of all time. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 07: Beth Mickle attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Warner Bros. ... More "Superman" at TCL Chinese Theatre on July 07, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Maya) 'He wanted this to be a really bright and hopeful film,' Mickle explains. 'That, above all, everybody should leave the theater with a sense of optimism. And that was just such a wonderful thing for all of us to aspire to every day making that film. He was also really clear that he wanted it to be vivid and colorful, really bright, to make a clear departure from what had come before us, and to lay out a bold new vision for what we would be trying to do moving forward. And just as James Gunn films always are, they're really vivid, they're really graphic, they're really exciting visually. So for a production designer, partnering with him is always a thrill." The ultimate goal was to make the world of Superman feel different from the 'much grittier, layered, textured world' of the Guardians trilogy, she explains. '[Those movies deal]Breaking down the biggest sets of James Gunn's Superman (2025) film with production designer Beth Mickle Fortress of Solitude DC Studios' and Warner Bros. Pictures' 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. 'It was really important to us to pay respects to all the iconic Superman imagery that came before us," Mickle says. "[When it came to] the Fortress of Solitude, for example, we wanted to make sure that we gave a really nice wink to the Richard Donner version that was all made out of crystals, and how those crystals intersected. 'We just wanted to make sure we really paid respects to what came before us, make sure audiences felt like we were doing justice to what the expectations were, but also make sure we had a fresh, new vision for it as well.' Superman's impressive Arctic hideaway was brought to life with 'actual resin crystals and foam for all the stonework,' Mickle reveals. 'It took us about three months of R&D to figure out how to actually make those crystals. There was a lot of trial and error on figuring those out. Our amazing construction team was very dedicated to figuring out the formula to make it work, and we filled a 40,000 square-foot stage, pretty much end to end, with the entire set. That was just an honor to design and build.' (Check out behind-the-scenes photos at the bottom of this article). LuthorCorp LuthorCorp in 'Superman' (2025) Gunn wanted the LuthorCorp control room, from which the chrome-domed supervillain (Nicholas Hoult) and his minions scheme against the Man of Steel 'to feel like an observatory where you have this 180-degree view looking out to the city,' Mickle says. 'That was really driven by all the action that had to happen in there. And then we decided to give it a kind of tiered layout. So that when you're looking back, you always see stacks of all the people that are working for him and get a sense of all the commotion that's happening in there all the time. Domenic Silvestri, our art director, did a beautiful job laying all that out and getting that build to the finish line.' That same space, once halved and leveled out, became Lex's personal office, allowing the crew to make the most of their available space and budget. 'It was very '70s-inspired for the finishes. All the green marble to get the the Lex Luthor color from the comic books in there and really, really graphic lines,' notes the production designer. 'The whole ceiling is all referenced from these beautiful 1970s coffered ceilings. We have a nice, big graphic element that happens over top.' Lex Luthor's pocket dimension RACHEL BROSNAHAN as Lois Lane and EDI GATHEGI as Mr. Terrific in DC Studios' and Warner Bros. ... More Pictures' 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. 'That was a wild world to explore. James said that he wanted it to be a dark underworld,' Mickle recalls. 'And in the script, it even said that it was a world made up of arithmetic. That just gets your mind going right away. What does arithmetic look like? How is arithmetic expressed architecturally?" In the end, art director Samantha Avila suggested basing in the overall aesthetic on bismuth, a crystalline element 'that grows geometrically in these perfect little right angles and has this really beautiful iridescence,' Mickle says. 'It was tough to crack what that world would be at first, but as soon as we figured out the cubes and the bismuth, everything else fell into place really quickly. It's fun to see what a distinct difference it is from the rest of the bright, colorful movie.' Daily Planet offices Daily Planet offices in 'Superman' (2025) The Daily Planet officers were not built on a soundstage, but within Terminal Station, a now-defunct railroad depot in Macon, Georgia. 'It's a beautiful historic space, but also a bit of a blank slate," Mickle says. "So when we figured out all of our colors in the beginning of the movie, we decided that orange tone was going to be assigned to the Daily Planet. You can see a lot of orange and autumnal undertones in all the set dressing, and in a lot of the costumes as well.' She continues: 'We did look at a lot of newsrooms, and it was really important to James that we had screens everywhere, so you could see that it was an advanced media company. It does have all the screens and videos playing around you at all times. But we also wanted it to feel timeless, so you'll see we have landline phones at all the desks [for] a little bit of a vintage nod. We [also] made sure that the computers weren't the most cutting-edge. It was [also] a lot of paper products, which is not always the case in newsrooms today. Things have gone more digital, but we stacked up paper everywhere." While the production shied away from the traditional Art Deco look oft-associated with the Daily Planet (and Metropolis at large), Mickle did include a tribute to Superman's retro origins with custom murals from graphic designer Mary Shriner. "She just did a beautiful job on those,' shares the production designer. 'Some of my favorite parts of that whole set is when you look in the background and see all these Art Deco murals.' Lois Lane's apartment (L to r) RACHEL BROSNAHAN as Lois Lane and DAVID CORENSWET as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures' ... More 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Lois's apartment gives 'the sense that she brings her work home with her,' Mickle says. 'We looked at a lot of writers' spaces. We looked at where Joan Didion worked and just tried to make sure that it felt like an authentic writer's home … James had said he wanted it to feel like it was like an old New York City pre-war building. I'd spent a number of years in New York, so I knew that architecture very well — the moldings, the built-in bookcases, this tiny little kitchen, all the fun layers of paint and tile.' Actress Rachel Brosnahan also provided input on how Lois's hectic life as a reporter would be reflected in the character's living space, namely through stacked-up dishes and laundry. 'She said that she's the kind of woman who's organized enough to do her laundry on Sundays and fold it all. So there would be stacks of folded laundry, but she just didn't have the time or the wherewithal to put everything away," Mickle says. 'So in the background, in her bedroom, you'll see stacks of laundry and little piles of things here and there that she organized, but never got to really tuck away." In addition, the actress suggested that Lois be utilitarian in her eating habits. 'She's the kind of person who has one thing that she likes to eat and goes for it,' explains the production designer. And so, they settled on granola bars as the character's regular snack of choice. 'Those would always be within arm's reach, [with] a lot of little bowls in the kitchen and at her desk at the Daily Planet. You can see these little fake granola bars we made. That really thoughtful and authentic detail came from Rachel.' Hall of Justice Hall of Justice in 'Superman' (2025) Interestingly, the Hall of Justice scenes were filmed at the very building that inspired the fictional headquarters in the original comics: Cincinnati Union Terminal. 'What a wonderful treat to get to go back to the original source of what it was supposed to be and actually shoot the exterior, use that real inspiration from the original, and get to put that in the movie,' emphasizes Mickle. 'And then we were just so lucky that the interior was so striking and well-preserved. That's one of my favorite scenes, when we get in there and and turn and look toward that huge, gorgeous ceiling and those front windows. I grin every single time.' If you notice, the interior of the Hall is under renovation, which was not a framing gaffe, but a deliberate choice by the filmmakers. 'We brought all that in because we wanted to show that this is the new space the Justice League is moving into. James had the idea that the Hall of Justice was provided to the Justice Gang by a benefactor, and that the benefactor would have bought an old, disused train station and let them set up shop there. The idea is that they have just started to move in.' Could that mysterious benefactor be billionaire Bruce Wayne? 'I'll leave that to be discovered in future films,' Mickle teases. 'But yes, they have a benefactor.' Streets of Metropolis DAVID CORENSWET as Superman in 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Since the production was already in Cincinnati, Gunn & Co. decided to use the famous Ohio city for the exterior of Metropolis, which allowed Mickle to incorporation a number of subtle Easter eggs around town. 'When you see Superman fall in the very beginning of the movie, he comes falling back down to earth and goes through the sidewalk. Malik, the vendor, helps him get up, and you can see a big museum of modern art behind him," Mickle says. "It was a big bank building we turned it into the Metropolitan Museum of Art. If you look in all the windows, the artwork shows birds morphing into planes. And the idea is [a reference to] 'It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Superman!'" We worked really hard on that." She also reveals that nearly every written name — 'in street signs, in a directory, or in a book' — is a reference to iconic DC artists, members of the film crew, and, most important of all, Superman's two creators: Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. 'So if anybody wants to go back up and look up what all those street names are, it's really fun,' she himts. 'You'll be able to tie it to somebody significant to the film.' Kent family farmhouse DAVID CORENSWET as Superman in Warner Bros. Pictures' 'SUPERMAN,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. 'James was really clear that he didn't want it to feel like the big, sprawling, idyllic farm houses that we've seen before in the Superman lore,' Mickle remembers. 'He felt like it should be a very well-loved, humble home that had loving parents that tended to this farm. But it wasn't a big, sprawling, generational farm of hundreds of acres and massive square footage … Our wonderful location manager, Ian [Easterbrook], sent out his scouts, and about an hour south of where the stages were, they found this absolutely beautiful farm [with] very idyllic rolling hills. Of course, it had the giant farmhouse across the street, but the house that we ended up filming in was the little in-laws' cottage right next to the barns and surrounded by farmland.' Fortunately, the crew didn't have to change much of the interior, which already had a charming, lived-in quality to it. "The paint color was already yellow, it had this great shaggy carpet inside. We embraced a lot of that," the production designer continues. 'We did a little painting inside and then Rosemary Brandenburg, our set decorator, redressed the whole inside. But a lot of it was already just part of the beautiful fabric of what that home was to start with.' She goes on to discuss the look of Clark's childhood bedroom: 'Rosemary had a great idea of looking at all the little things that Clark would have explored as a kid. You'll see a little space shuttle and rock collections in the background. He thought he could've have been an athlete so there's a little nod [to that with] baseball caps. Also family photos everywhere. We wanted it to be very warm and inviting and a place where a little boy would have loved growing up — just to make it clear that Ma and Pa Kent made a loving home for him as a little boy, and that he was really supported. And then the idea was that after he left for [college], he hadn't come back to live there, so it kind of remained a little bit of a time capsule of his years of growing up there. Now that I think about it, too, the bedspread and curtains have some Superman colors in there. It was a nice little nod to what was going to come.' Check out behind-the-scenes photos from James Gunn's Superman (2025) Concept art for Superman's Fortress of Solitude Concept art for Superman's Fortress of Solitude Concept art for Superman's Fortress of Solitude 'Superman' production designer Beth Mickle on the Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Fortress of Solitude set Superman is now playing in theaters everywhere. Click here for tickets!
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
If new ‘Superman' movie feels like an attack, you have a guilty conscience
Spoiler alert: This column discusses the plot and characters of the 2025 movie 'Superman' in detail. Superman has always been more than just a comic book character. He's an idea and an ideal, an avatar for truth and justice — and the American way, a patriotic 1942 wartime addendum to his famous radio serial motto. I'm not a comic book guy, and I've also always found the Man of Steel a little boring — too powerful, too generic. While we've seen a couple decent live-action versions of the character (TV's Tom Welling and Tyler Hoechlin, in particular), the two most classic portrayals aren't so super to me: George Reeves was way too old for the role, and Christopher Reeve was a total stiff. But actor David Corenswet and director James Gunn have finally gotten it right. This is a Superman we care about, mostly because he cares so dang much about us. Even though he comes from outer space, there's no question Clark Kent's home is Kansas — the state we love for its all-American wholesomeness. Everything Superman does in the new movie is about protecting the people of his adopted planet. Time and again, he moves heaven and Earth to make sure the bad guys cause as little death and destruction as possible — even swooping in to save a sweet little squirrel in one particularly memorable moment. The last silver-screen Supes, Henry Cavill, certainly looked the part. But although he's a tremendous actor, his director Zack Snyder had no idea what the character is supposed to be about, framing him as a dour, aloof, Ayn Randian Ubermensch who fails to prevent uncountable human deaths in his wildly violent battles. That's not the Superman I know. However, Ubermensch is exactly how his arch nemesis Lex Luthor sees himself — and the new movie is the first time the character is legitimately scary. Michael Rosenbaum created a marvelously complex version of Luthor in the series 'Smallville,' but since we see him grow up over time, we come to understand how he gets so twisted — he's as much antihero as he is villain. Nicholas Hoult's Luthor is nothing but a screaming void of egotism, reeking of impotence and self-doubt despite his vast wealth. He's transparently a stand-in for Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, creating a literal army of 'rage monkeys' to ruin Superman's reputation in social media. And despite the fact that this movie was in the works long before Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis teamed up to throw immigrants who don't even face any criminal charges into a swamp detention camp with its own comic book name, it isn't difficult to draw a parallel from that obscenity to Luthor disappearing the politically inconvenient to tiny cells in an inaccessible pocket dimension. Hollywood and the American way So, sure, the new 'Superman' is about politics — and not terribly subtle about it. It's no surprise, either, that agitators throughout the MAGA ecosystem are freaking out over it. Even though Trump and Musk's bromance came to the ugly end we all knew was inevitable, and maniverse stars such as Joe Rogan and Andrew Schulz are experiencing acute buyer's remorse over Trump 2.0's cruelty and ineptitude, some right-wing influencers are still losing their minds that the movie puts the black hat on a billionaire using his lucre to imprison his enemies and flood Americans' media networks with disinformation. I don't think the new film is a triumph for the ages. There is zero place for profanity in a Superman movie. And I actually agree with far-right professional complainer Ben Shapiro that it's overstuffed, more carnival ride than movie. However, Shapiro predictably went off the deep end when he whined about that old conservative bugaboo of the entertainment industry: 'Hollywood cannot say 'the American way' because they don't believe in the American way,' he said in his slam review. 'They don't believe that America is unique. They don't believe in these American basic values and principles and rights.' I don't know what movie he saw, but Gunn's 'Superman' champions American-style truth and justice for all — including for Luthor, whom our hero rightly turns over to the law instead of going vigilante on him. It reminds us constantly that we are defined by our choices, not by our DNA or where we come from. The movie's most touching scene takes place at the Kents' modest Kansas country home, where his parents emanate love for their adopted son — their son — and the values he embodies. Truth and justice should be for each and every human being — not just the ultrawealthy, or just those well-off enough to be able to afford health care. So if you see a murderous, lying oligarch getting his comeuppance for wreaking havoc on the rest of the world as 'woke' — well, I'd suggest you reconsider your personal concept of the American way.
Washington Post
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Why the Silver Surfer is the superhero for our cosmically fraught times
In a world plagued by too many problems, how to explain the problem of too many superheroes? It's no cosmic riddle: Low-imagination Hollywood power people keep wasting money and mindshare overpopulating every last screen with comic book mesomorphs whose collective strategy for saving this world predominantly involves returning us to the familiarity of childhood. Biff, bang, pow! Sometimes it's fun. The rest of the time, it's annoying — in part because there's only ever been one comic book superhero truly capable of rescuing us from the loneliness of the information age.
