'It's a little Batmanish': Ilya Salkind, producer of 1970s Superman films, pans summer superhero reboot Man of Steel

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:


It's a bird, it's a plane, or maybe it's just a dark, boring dud.

Ilya Salkind, the 65-year-old producer who brought Superman to the big screen in the 1970s, has panned this summer's reboot Man of Steel.

The Mexican director was in Los Angeles over the weekend and shared his thoughts on the new Superman movie starring Henry Cavill as the Kryptonite who becomes the planet's protector.

Super producer: Superman producer Ilya Salkind, shown in Los Angeles in 2006 at a Superman Returns launch party, has panned the new Man of Steel reboot

Super producer: Superman producer Ilya Salkind, shown in Los Angeles in 2006 at a Superman Returns launch party, has panned the new Man of Steel reboot

'It's okay,' Salkind told TMZ when asked for his opinion on the blockbuster that has pulled in nearly $300 million in the US since its release in June.

'Tell the truth,' said a female friend who encouraged him to come clean.

'I think it's a little Batmanish,' Salkind said, comparing this iteration of Superman to DC Comics' brooding and dark Caped Crusader.

Critical review: Ilya said he thought Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill was a bit too much like Batman

Critical review: Ilya said he thought Man of Steel starring Henry Cavill was a bit too much like Batman

Ilya also was asked about Man of Steel executive producer Jon Peters who could make $15million for being attached early to the project, despite being removed three years ago by Warner Bros.

'I think he had the luck of getting the rights six or seven years ago. I don't think he has a lot to do with it,' Ilya said.

The retelling of Superman's origins features Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman and Russell Crowe as his biological father Jor-El of doomed planet Krypton. It also includes Amy Adams who portrays reporter Lois Lane of the Daily Planet news organization and love interest of Superman.

Setting the standard: Ilya produced the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves as the superhero

Setting the standard: Ilya produced the 1978 Superman movie starring Christopher Reeves as the superhero

Salkind produced the 1978 Superman movie that starred Christopher Reeves as Superman and two of its sequels.

Ilya bought the film rights to the Superman property in August 1974 with his father Alexander and their business partner Pierre Spengler.

Ilya frequently tours conventions to talk about his contributions to the Superman franchise and also has many YouTube videos with his interviews on the subject.

Warner Bros. recently revealed plans for a Superman/Batman movie.

The follow up to Man of Steel is being written and will feature an as-yet-uncast Batman.

It's Superman: Reeves set the standard for portraying Clark Kent and his powerful alter ego

It's Superman: Reeves set the standard for portraying Clark Kent and his powerful alter ego

 

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