By Kofi Outlaw

The last son of Krypton is facing his greatest weakness. No, it’s not kryptonite, rather a lack of writers to help bring his next film SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL to fruition.

Writers Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris (who worked with director Bryan Singer on SUPERMAN RETURNS and also X2: X-MEN UNITED) have gracefully bowed out of the director’s upcoming sequel to the 2006 blockbuster, which saw only mild success, earning a $200 million domestic gross (it cost nearly that much to make.)

There’s speculation abound about what caused the writers to go AWOL on the project. Some rumors point to the fact that Warner Bros, the studio behind the ‘Supes revival, was disappointed by the modest performance of ‘RETURNS and wanted the next film to be a complete reboot, a lá the upcoming INCREDIBLE HULK. If that were true it would mean that we, the viewers, weren’t the only ones who thought the whole “Superman has a son with Lois” angle was complete crap.
 
Of course Warner Bros. denies any displeasure with Singer’s work, stating that MAN OF STEEL would be a sequel to ‘RETURNS, with actor Brandon Routh expected to don the blue tights again. Spectacular. On a more positive note, Brian Singer’s comments at this year’s Comic-con in San Diego indicated that MAN OF STEEL would offer significantly more action than its predecessor, a change that actually would be spectacular. MATRIX REVOLUTIONS should not do Superman better than Superman does.

In the meantime Dougherty and Harris will explore other projects; the former just wrapped a directing stint on WB’s TRICK ‘R TREAT, and will write and direct an adaptation of the novel I, LUCIFER, with Daniel Craig (CASINO ROYAL) scheduled to star.

With Bryan Singer still at the wheel does MAN OF STEEL stand a chance against a sure-fire hit like Christopher Nolan’s Batman sequel THE DARK KNIGHT (which is shaping up to be a monster hit,) rant back and let us know where you weigh in on this superhero showdown.