Since Man of Steel is debuting soon, this seems like a good time to launch this little challenge:

Suppose someone decided to make a movie about Superman?

Maybe it's people from the future (Utopians, even) trying to make a historical docu-drama. Maybe it's Lois and Clark's fellow Metropolitans, trying to honor their hero. Maybe it's a Hollywood big-wig trying to cash in on Superman's popularity.

How much do they get right? What do they get completely wrong? Are the results uncannily right-on-the-money, or hilariously off-the-mark? Most importantly, do Lois and Clark get to see the results?

I've actually thought about this premise before...but with The Incredibles. I can see Clark panicking and hyperventilating during that whole opening part where it's revealed that Supers have regular Joe identities! Sadly, my muse has refused to cooperate.

How about Clark Kent, under another name (not Charles King, since Lois knows that one) writes a Superman movie script. His idea being misdirection?

One could have him inventing the Fortress as seen in the movies.
Explain his human appearance as an alteration of his true form to prevent his appearance from bothering Humans.

Indeed have an early scene in the movie being where this blue semi human shaped monster is reformed by the fortress to look human so he can walk "among them".

Adding in preSuperman super events.

Perhaps a preSuperman scene at a disaster scene where a worker convinces Kal El to assume the Superman role so he can help more effectively.


Set it in season one after Nightfall before Lois is willing to admit being interested in Clark. Plus Clark could write in a husband and wife writing team that is clearly modeled on Lane & Kent.

Getting something like that approved by the studio lawyers would be a swine; Superman would have to sign waivers promising not to sue!

I like your idea, Framework. And I don't think he'd have too difficult a time getting Superman to sign a waiver or contract or whatever. The movie could be licensed through the Superman Foundation. I think the sticky point might be dealing with how much of the movie would be true and how to convey that. I guess the movie could have a disclaimer at the end that "artistic license" was used in telling Superman's story without disclosing just what was made up.

My kids are watching me type over my shoulder, and they want me to use some smilies, so I'm humoring them.

Maybe as his pseudonym Clark could use "Carlos Rey". That way he would hint to Lois at what is really going on without telling her out right.

It might be even more interesting if in the initial screen play Clark just uses a few minor mis-directions, but then in making it into a film the director goes even further off the mark.

In the L&C world the big misdirection was always the public impression that there was no secret identity, Superman was Superman all the time and wsn't hiding anything. Anything that changed that would be a problem for Clark, I think.

I agree. Maybe Clark could write a story about Superman arriving on Earth as an adult. Mix him with Jor-El (but I forget how much information Clark has about what happened with Jor-El and the Science Council - that globe's messages were astoundingly thin on information). Say Superman was trying to convince the Kryptonians that the planet was dying, only to be dismissed as a nut. His father developed a small, one passenger prototype spaceship against orders in the hopes of making bigger ones to facilitate a mass evacuation. Then when the planet starts breaking apart, his father shuts him into the ship and sends him away. Maybe Jor-El drugged him or tricked him into the ship because Superman wouldn't leave his family and save himself. He manages to escape the explosion and arrives in Metropolis shortly before saving the Messenger shuttle.

Or Clark could completely make up some other story about Superman arriving on Earth as an adult.

Maybe that's what Clark was trying to write at the beginning of HoL.

Maybe an unlicensed pornographic film? Double points if Clark doesn't find out about it until someone he knows references having seen it? Poor Clark. No one would have suspect that Supes had a secret identity to write that one. They could even use an "of Steel" title, but might have to change that first word.

The problem with a serious movie (if written by a 1990s person, and not Utopian) is that I'm not sure what it would be about. I'm so familiar with Clark existing, I have trouble coming up with a story where there is no secret identity. Maybe a docudrama about some of the things that Superman has done? But then he'd have to be interviewed, and he'd end up lying about some of the details (or protect his secret identity), and I'm not sure how Clark would feel about that.

I think you are right. Maybe there could be a movie that presents Superman as having a secret identity, and then he has to work to convince people this is an unworkable plan. I think he only could succeed if he had Lois on his side.

On the other hand, presenting the idea that there is a "fortress of Solitude" in the artic where Superman goes to be alone could be part of a plan to beef up the image of Superman always being Superman.

Actually outside of "sex, Lies and Videotapes" Clark engages in all sorts of types of lying to protect his secret and never seems to have a problem with it. I think it is workable.

On the other hand, what about if Clark and Lois get their hands on technology that allows them to see films made in other dimensions?

Ah, you mean such films as this one ?

I love that clip so much.

I like the idea of Clark writing a script of misdirection, too.

And, btw, I wrote a story and re-write about a Superman movie a few years ago if you are interested. Here's the TOC: Superman Is Hot

There's a great two part fic (can't remember who wrote it or the title) about how Linda King wrote a screenplay about Superman. It's one of my favorites. Lois and Clark go to the premiere together... Anyone know which story that is?

Ooh! I know this one!

The Whole Truth & And Nothing But The Truth by Sue S.

After reading Classicalla's story, I have come up with an idea where Clark will reveal his secret to Lois as part of the moving making process.

What about the invasion of Lord Nor? I should think that would be ripe for a Superman movie in the late 90s, a couple of years after the series.

Of course, that doesn't give any of the fun of Lois being excited about the movie without knowing just how bogus half of it is. Darn. Maybe setting it more like the movie made "today", and L&C's kids see it. Can only imagine the reaction of the Kent kids to seeing their father as the leading character of a wild movie.

(I know I wouldn't get around to writing this, so if anyone gets bitten by this stray plot bunny, have fun!)

What a great idea! I could see Hollywood having Lois and Clark in the film too. Clark was captured while visiting his folks in Smallville. So, Lois goes undercover as Superman's concubine to help rescue her fiance and his family. Isn't Superman a great friend to the Kents? Or it could be a sequel to Sue's "Deadline" (From "The Whole Truth and "And Nothing But the Truth") and the Linda King character could also be a concubine. Extra embarrassment factor of Lois being shown as a concubine in front of her kids.