> BOF SUPERMAN RETURNS HOME > VISIT THE OFFICIAL SUPERMAN RETURNS SITE > WATCH THE TEASER TRAILER > SUPERMAN RETURNS MERCHANDISE The Director and The Star Face The Press Author: Jett Tuesday, February 14, 2006 Following the public Q&A session with Brian Singer and Brandon Routh, we adjourned to a smaller room for another round for the press only. Here’s the rundown in no particular order of what Mr. Singer and Mr. Routh had to say… Regarding the cost of rumored cost of SUPERMAN RETURNS: "There's some [guy] wrote somewhere that it [the movie] cost $250 million -- which is the most absurd thing I've ever heard. I'll tell you exactly: The movie was budgeted at $184.5 million and will probably climb with visual effects and variables that occur in a movie of this magnitude, with 1,400 visual effects…to somewhere south of $200 million. Which is still a great deal of money, but it is by no means ... What [is was said to be]." Regarding reshoots for the film: "There were none,” said Singer. “We're going to do one day of pickup in Los Angeles, but there was none. What I did was I switched my schedule. I had shot for about 105 or 107 days. Originally, I was going to shoot for 128 days, 130 days, and instead, I stopped. I decided, because I was so exhausted and the process was so long, I was starting to lose my objectivity. So I shortened the schedule and stopped shooting after…107 days [or so]. And then came back to Los Angeles for about three and a half weeks, and then went back and finished the schedule in Sydney". On choosing Routh for the role of Superman: "When I get to know the person," Singer said. "It can help [me] find the traits in the person that define the character." Routh tolds us that he had to wait around seven months to find out that he had won the role. Singer and Routh had met previously, just getting to know each other at a coffee house. Routh on the comparisons to Christopher Reeve: "There's always time for change….There's a lot of things can change for the better, instead of [always thinking] things will change for the worse...especially with a character like Superman who brings joy and inspiration to the world." Routh informed the crowd earlier in the day that he based his performance of Reeve and that he was his inspiration. Singer was asked if he felt more pressure from fans of the ‘78 film or from comic book fans: "I serve the comic-book community. The studio understands my responsibilities and supports me 100 percent.” Singer on RETURNS being compared to Richard Donner’s SUPERMAN: “I'm not remaking Superman: The Movie." That's why he chose to incorporate the first two films as part of the history of Superman Returns. The time felt right to re-experience this character. My goal is to address and celebrate in some way people's collective memory of the character Superman and how he's evolved from 1938 to now. Some of it will look familiar physically, emotionally. Some of it will be new." In regards to making a good “comic book movie”: “Primarily [our strategy was to] just try and make a good film.” On Kevin Spacey’s Lex Luthor: “There's a bit of a nod to [the Gene Hackman version of the character]. That's one of the reasons why I brought in Kevin, because he has a wonderful ability to bridge the line between whimsical humor and sadism in his performance. I think with Lex it's kind of fun to explore both those sides.” According to the director, due to his long prison time, this Lex is much more sinister and evil than he was previously. So, how strong is Superman? "We also had a lot of discussions about the physics of Superman. What is hard for him to lift? What's effortless? In theory his strength can be infinite, but an actor still has to embody that,” Singer said. Routh added, “You don't want [to look effortlessly with everything he lifts]." Things I Wrote Down On A Legal Pad... Routh looks better as Superman than I thought from seeing him in pics and the recent preview teaser… Singer really cares about what the fans think… Kate Bosworth is better than I first thought -- not as young-looking… I like the costume -- particularly the darker colors… The difference between Clark and Superman -- how they look -- is noticeable… Do these people (in the crowd) read the disclaimer about asking for autographs when the guests are on stage? Sheesh… Singer is obviously still interested in doing LOGAN’S RUN… Routh’s lost some weight since filming -- not skinny, just thinner… If one more person asks Singer if he can give him his card/resume’, I’m going to puke… Clark is “3 people” says Singer… Routh is young-looking, but not TOO young-looking. He really looks like Superman in costume… Routh is really proud to be playing Superman. You can just tell... I DO NOT want to see a Superman/Batman film. I just can't see it working... Routh: based his portrayal on Chris Reeve, just like Reeve based his performance on the ones that preceded him… Lois having moved on with her life = Kryptonite to Clark… Is this basically SUPERMAN III? Singer: “Yeah.” I can’t wait to see this film!!! I really hope it is good as it is looks to be. "Jett" is the creator and Editor-in-Chief of BATMAN ON FILM, BATMAN IN COMICS, and ON-FILM.NET © Warner Bros. Pictures