Fleetingly teased during their Into The Halls Of Justice promo as far back as Jan 2012, Sideshow Collectibles have finally affirmed their commitment to the classic Superman movies by revealing their prototype PF (Premium Format) figure.
As the initial pics (taken from the latest Production Peek) above show, the figure is at prototype stage (featuring fabric costume and Christopher Reeve likeness) but awaiting a finished base (full reveal expected soon).
Typically, when it comes to translations of the original Caped Wonder to 3D, fan opinion is immediately polarised. Though highly anticipated (especially its official debut in ¼ scale!) it seems the initial excitement has been dampened by concerns regarding the statue’s unnatural pose. Further issues with the (otherwise admirable) likeness such as an overly tall forehead and odd drooping brows one would hope could be easily rectified before production, but this is by no means guaranteed.
Longtime followers of SUPERMANIA may know this a road well-travelled when it comes to campaigning for the best Reeve Superman figure possible for your hard-earned cash. Though most are failed endeavours (see: Hot Toys costume) occasionally the passion (or vitriol) of fans reaches the companies concerned in time to make vital adjustments (see: Hot Toys sculpt) initiated here purely for the benefit of collectors rather than any declaration of superiority.
That said, what is becoming inexplicably more apparent with each subsequent release of new Reeve Superman merchandise is an abandonment/ignorance of the source material. One could happily tap-dance on the entire shipment of Superman Cinemaquette’s for starting the godawful trend of sculpting figures in mid-descent. Indeed, this ridiculous emulation of ‘Riverdance’ with requisite flounce is made all the worse by the fact it was NEVER seen on screen and in all likelihood would not appear as such if it did.
So it is with considerable resignation that, bestowed with a character who strikes an iconic pose in most every scene he appears we have been gifted with yet another contorted non-canon interpretation. This is made all the more frustrating by the fact this disproportionate body is adorned by far and away the most lovingly-tailored (and screen-accurate, short of the belt being a ¼ too narrow) costume seen on a Superman Movie figure to date. Complete with a base (again, given a multitude of screen environments to choose from) apparently modelled after the bursting Hoover Dam?!? – and you are left with a puzzling concoction.
With Sideshow’s rich history of producing outstanding PF’s you could be forgiven for expecting the creative team to understand the impact of letting a character ‘speak’ for itself in an elegant, relaxed pose vs. overworked. One glance at the masterpiece that is their ‘Raiders’ Indiana Jones PF affirms this. If this prototype is indeed intended as the final version I fear a great opportunity to repeat that success and produce the definitive Superman statue will be lost. We shall see..!
Join SUPERMANIA as we spin the world back 35 years to celebrate the worldwide release of the undisputed godfather of the modern Superhero Movie –
In an age where technology has elevated the Superhero epic to new and unprecedented heights, the sparkle from this vintage gem has yet to diminish thanks to its combination of charm and magic generated from its dedicated cast & crew.
For an insight into the longevity of this classic picture click here to watch friend & SuperFan Oliver Harper’s outstanding retrospective tribute and then enjoy the scans above taken from an ultra-rare Italian TV Listings magazine…
Happy 35th Anniversary to SUPERMAN – THE MOVIE..!
Longtime followers of SUPERMANIA may recall that in the wake of the Hot Toys figure (MMS 152) release, among the inevitable customs that followed one in particular by Duabelas Custom Works was standout.
Following a fine example neatly set by SuperFan Michael Stribling last year, Duabelas has struck again, creating an entirely new sculpt of an instantly recognisable 1/6 Reeve Clark Kent that would be a perfect opponent for the recently released Toyfair Exclusive Superman III figure (MMS 207) .
Though the glasses may not be 100% screen accurate, the wry smile is rendered perfectly and evokes the tongue-in-cheek characterisation remembered so fondly.
Interested parties should check out this thread on the Sideshow Freaks forum…
Though the the restored and remastered Superman: The Movie Special Edition narrowly missed out on a theatrical release in 2001, the subsequent DVD transfer became a significant milestone in the Superman series celluloid history.
long-awaited and a superlative presentation for its time, the double-sided disc would represent the cleanest, sharpest version of the film to date in an extended cut supported by a significant amount of quality extras – but was not without its faults. (not least the awful cardboard snapper case.)
Indeed, many fans of the original picture were bemused by the liberties taken with the all-new sound-mix and some of the questionable editing choices by producer Michael Thau, whose revisions were felt by many to be invasive and clunky. Despite this, sales were immense and the Special Edition would be a mainstay for future formats (though the beloved original soundtrack would later mercifully resurface on Blu-ray)
As one of Warner Brothers flagship catalogue titles, Superman would be further awarded the Deluxe Box Set treatment in 2003,( alongside The Matrix and 2001: A Space Odyssey) by CDA Entertainment, where the original disc would be supplemented by an array of reproduction ephemera presented in a handsome oversize black case.
Stylishly marketed and backed by an all-new advertising campaign (top 2 pics for MVC Stores exclusive to the SFX Magazine Superhero Special), the Deluxe Box Set was an expensive but irresistible package in the wake of what would eventually be less affectionately known as ‘double dipping’.
Given its slick appearance, its surprising and disappointing just how poor the final product turned out to be, starting with the Senitype (where the iconic, sharp 35mm film frame is obscured by the frankly godawful quality print on the mount) and moving onto the lobby cards and reproduction booklet (badly reprinted without any restoration and consequently way too dark). The poster is also a redundant addition being folded (though an offer restricted to the US made a rolled one available).
A triumph of promise over content resulting in an underwhelming dud, the box set today (bottom pic) is affordable as the DVD format erodes but is ironically hard to find. Genuine fans, however, would be better serviced with a copy of the blu-ray and genuine copies of the original memorabilia…
From page to screen as promised in the last post, here is a selection of rare and unpublished prints from the set of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace in 1986 –
From the top – In a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes, a prop Russian Nuclear Missile atop a transporter contrasts markedly with a random selection of British cars and outbuildings at Cannon’s Elstree Studios. Situated on the left is the crane from which hangs the flying rig and on the right, held up by scaffolding is the facade of a building of the ‘Red Square’ set.
Hooked up in his harness and swung out into the the drab, winter UK skies is Christopher Reeve, who in the course of the action has just prevented Nuclearman’s attempt to launch the missile into the crowd before flying off to give chase.
The illusion complete is revealed in the uncommon publicity/press kit shot from the finished scene (bottom) where through the the magic of cinema the elements are combined to depict Superman swinging into Moscow to save the city from destruction…
