If you like Superman in red and blue while flying, you may want to enjoy next winter’s Man of Steel. If a strange legal case currently unfolding continues, it could be the last time we see many of the familiar elements associated with the Man of Steel all in the same project.
In 2013, certain right associated with the Man of Steel are set to revert back to the estate of creator Joel Siegel and Jerry Schuster. The rights include anything the duo created before they began working on the comic book Superman for DC. That includes things like the ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound and the iconic Superman costume.
DC will retain the rights to things like Superman flying and Lex Luthor.
But here’s where things get interesting. Variety reports that theoretically, starting in 2013, the families and Warner Bros./DC could both proceed with their own Superman movies. However, a Siegel/Shuster movie would essentially be based around elements created in 1938, before they began working for DC, while a Warner Bros. movie would be based on what the article calls the “modern Superman.” A 1938 movie could not show Superman flying, while a “modern Superman” film would not have access to the classic costume.
Of course, there’s still a lot of time between now and then for both sides to come to an agreement on things.
This fight for rights reminds me of a custody battle with 2 children involved. If they’re not careful, the children will be split up and end up in worse shape than if they were kept together if you understand my meaning. In their fight to protect their intellectual property, both sides risk destroying it.
Superman is my favorite superhero. Both sides need to find some common ground or Superman is going to basically be neutered and irrelevant. We’ve had a Superman without the suit that can’t fly for 10 years (Smallville). While I enjoyed that show for what it was, forcing limits or eliminating key elements of the character diminishes that character. Superman really belongs to the fans. Mess with him, and your intellectual property rights won’t mean a damn because you’ll lose the precious money you seem to care most about.
The “split” Supeman is in regards to the comic books not the movies. Also, the family will only have the trademark in the U.S.
I believe that is stated in the Variety article.