Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): SUPERMAN

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): SUPERMAN

Hero: Superman

Villain/s: General Zod

Supporting: Lois Lane and the Daily Planet folks

Plot:

Superman isn’t always easy to do, in part because of the existing film adaptations but mostly because the mythos is so rich it can be difficult to streamline into a cinematic universe. But his origin as a refugee baby alien from the advanced world of Krypton is pretty timeless: the impending doom of the planet prompts his parents to send him somewhere safe. And safe he is, when Jonathan and Martha Kent find and raise him as Clark Kent. But his alien inheritance soon becomes apparent, and his adoptive parents — fearful, but loving — tell him what they know of his mysterious arrival, and his origin.

It can’t quite have the vintage-y lens of Captain America’s story, nor can it harken back to a very particular piece of world and American history, but Superman’s story has always had the potential to speak to a very significant bit of American culture: his is essentially an immigrant story, and his relationship with his adopted home-world and would make for a great theme.

We’d also have Lois Lane, without having to lose her to age and time. Lois often gets underestimated as crucial to Superman’s character, as well as an amazing character in her own right. Lois here would get a chance to combine the best elements of some of the Marvel films’ female leads: she has a bit of the high-powered Pepper Potts, the cool competence of Peggy Carter, and the curious bravery Jane Foster.

Even more fun is the whole bit about whether or not she knows bumbling colleague Clark Kent is Superman. Marvel Studios probably wouldn’t shy away from playing around with this tidbit — Lois would have fun bantering with both personas, hinting that she might know who he is but never giving the game away, flirting with both sides (because you know he likes it). Bonus points if Jimmy Olsen observes it all while making faces.

Ultimately Superman’s happy ending is his vow to protect not just Metropolis or Smallville, but the entire world; he’s too powerful not to. But his incredible power is nothing without his connection to humanity, and at the end of the day that is really what makes him, well, super.

(Post-Credits Scene: Green Lantern John Stewart reports that he does not think Superman is a threat. The Guardians of Oa advise him to keep a close eye on Earth, because something there is about to go terribly wrong.)