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179: Redoing my Life, Superman Screen Test
🕑 Added 2025-03-06 07:50:49 +0000 UTCAfter the stunning success of The Batman, the board was now fully behind DC Studios. Their confidence had shifted, and they were eager to be more involved in creative and financial decisions moving forward—something I did not want. To my surprise, it was Victor who convinced them to trust me and Dave’s process rather than interfering. His support smoothed things out considerably, keeping unnecessary boardroom politics at bay.
One of the direct outcomes of The Batman’s success was the board approving and greenlighting the Batman video game I had pitched some time ago. They were also looking to establish a gaming division under Stardust Entertainment, with discussions underway to acquire an existing game studio and rebrand it as Stardust Game Studios. That, however, was being handled by others for now.
My focus was entirely on Superman.
This movie had to be bigger than The Batman. It had to rekindle the love that casual audiences once had for Superman—much like in the ’80s, when Superman: The Movie made Christopher Reeve a household name.
The script was finished after Scott Snyder and I spent months refining it.
We also had a director now. After extensive searching and multiple suggestions from various executives, we chose Brad Bird. Dave vouched for him early on, and now, with the board’s approval, it was official. In my opinion, Bird was the best possible choice—he was the man who created The Incredibles in my previous life, so he definitely knew how to handle a superhero movie. Plus, he wrote and directed The Iron Giant—that alone was enough for me.
When we met with him, he was immediately drawn to the script, praising its approach to Superman. He was all in—not just for Superman, but potentially for sequels as well.
Casting was still underway, with Metallo being the last major role to fill. We were down to three or four actors, and the final decision would be made by the end of the month.
However, the biggest casting decision—Lois Lane—was finalized just last week. After an extensive search, we chose a young, incredibly talented actress who was poised for a breakout role with this movie: Rachel Brosnahan. She was only 25, but her performances on TV had already shown she had the acting chops and screen presence needed to bring Lois to life. I also vaguely recalled her from my previous life—she had been part of a very famous TV show, possibly as the lead.
What mattered most for the role of Lois was her chemistry with Henry. Superman and Lois Lane’s dynamic was at the heart of the film; without it, the movie wouldn’t work. Fortunately, from the moment Rachel and Henry did their first reading together, it was clear we had something special.
I walked into Dave’s office to find Scott already there, leaning back in his chair with a cup of coffee in hand.
“Hey,” I said, stepping inside.
Scott turned and smirked. “There you are. I was waiting for you. They’re doing a screen test for Lex and Clark.”
“Yeah, I know. Let’s go.” I motioned for him to follow as we headed to where the tests were being held.
As we walked, Scott glanced at me. “The actor for Lex is great.”
“Yeah, Corey Stoll. He’s great—better than Kevin Spacey, whom many suggested,” I said, shuddering a little. It would have been a disaster if Kevin had been chosen, especially with what’s coming for him in the future.
Scott frowned slightly. “Is this his first movie or something? I don’t think I’ve seen him in anything.”
I shook my head. “No, he’s done movies and TV shows, but he’s more famous in theater.”
Scott nodded. “Well, he’s got the look. Just have to see him together with Henry.”
In the finalized script for Superman, Metallo was the primary antagonist, with Lex Luthor pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
While there would be key scenes depicting Superman’s origins—something even the most casual audience members were familiar with—the film was set to take place a year into Clark Kent’s time as Superman in Metropolis. He was still learning, still growing into the hero he was meant to be, and that gave us the perfect reason for why Lex would already be actively working against him.
One of the most important aspects Scott and I focused on was emphasizing Clark as an investigative journalist, not just Superman in disguise. We wrote multiple scenes that showcased Clark’s ability to dig for the truth, uncover corruption, and piece together information that the general public ignored. He was actively investigating LexCorp, peeling back the layers of Lex’s public persona, while simultaneously dealing with the emergence of Metallo. It was crucial to show that Clark Kent was just as important to the story as Superman.
Metallo was the perfect first major physical threat for Superman. We crafted him as a hardened mercenary who already bore a grudge against Superman long before his transformation. He resented the way Superman was idolized, while men like him—soldiers, fighters, people who put their lives on the line—were overlooked and discarded. This resentment made him an easy target for Lex’s manipulation after an incident, caused by Superman’s battle with another enemy, left him gravely injured. Lex offered him power—a chance to even the playing field—and he took it.
He wasn’t just a mindless villain; he was complicated. We had to be careful in portraying him so he wouldn’t come off as just another “villain of the week.” His motivations needed to be compelling, his pain real, and his descent into being a weapon against Superman had to hit emotionally.
One of the earlier drafts of the script had even gone so far as to have Clark die and come back. It was stupid idea from scott…it was too early for that.
It will happen.
I knew exactly when it needed to happen.
And who would be responsible for it.
We arrived at the soundstage where the screen tests were taking place. The room was set up simply—some cameras, a few chairs, and a large backdrop to create the right environment. Dave and Brad Bird were already there, sitting near the monitors, reviewing notes. Across from them, Corey Stoll and Henry Cavill sat, scripts in hand, looking focused.
Brad spotted me first. “Adler, you’re late!”
I grinned and held up my hands. “Sorry about that, gents. Got stuck in traffic.” I moved over to shake hands with Brad, Dave, Corey, and Henry.
I turned to Corey and gave him a once-over. “Already shaved your head?”
Corey chuckled. “There wasn’t much to shave anyway.”
Laughter rippled through the room.
“All right, let’s do this,” Brad said, clapping his hands together. “We’re running the scene where Lex meets Clark—the one where he lays out why he hates Superman.”
These weren’t lines straight from the final script—Scott had written them for the screen test, pulling dialogue from the comics.
Henry rolled his shoulders and sat up straighter. “Let’s do this.”
I took a seat with Dave and Brad, while Scott positioned himself behind me. Across from us, Corey Stoll and Henry Cavill stood behind the camera, getting into character.
Dave leaned over. “Sam Huntington has signed the contract.”
I grinned. “Great. He’s going to make a fantastic Jimmy Olsen.” Then I sighed. “But what about Metallo? I still have no idea who to pick.”
Brad leaned back, rubbing his chin. “Well, the main cast is almost entirely fresh faces. Maybe we should go with someone more recognizable from the list.” He glanced at Corey and Henry. “You guys ready?”
Corey nodded, straightening his suit jacket. “Ready.”
“Let’s do it,” Henry said.
“All right, let’s go,” Brad said, and I turned my full attention to the monitor.
Corey began, deepening his voice.
“You don’t understand what you are, do you? You’re a crutch. A safety net for a species that should be struggling, clawing its way to the stars through ingenuity, through sheer force of will. But you… you make them weak.”
Damn. That was perfect. He sounded a lot like Lex from the Justice League animated show.
Henry responded in his well-practiced Superman tone.
“Helping people doesn’t make them weak, Lex. Giving them hope, showing them kindness—these aren’t weaknesses. They’re what make humanity strong.”
Corey smirked, his expression turning almost disgusted. He leaned forward slightly, delivering his next lines.
“No, Superman. Strength comes from struggle. From ambition. From knowing that no one is coming to save you. Humanity should be led by a man, not a god pretending to be one. But here you are, hovering above them, holding their hands like children.”
Henry’s face hardened.
“I don’t lead them, Lex. I inspire them. They’re capable of greatness—I’ve seen it, and I believe in it. If my presence helps them see it in themselves, then I’ve done my job.”
Corey’s expression darkened.
“Your presence warps them. You distort what they think is possible. Instead of fighting for their future, they look up in the sky, waiting for you to fix things. You think you’re their champion? You’re their excuse.”
Henry barely blinked, maintaining his composure as he delivered the final line.
“I don’t expect you to understand, Lex. You’ve spent your life believing power is something to hoard, to control. But real power… real strength… is lifting others up, not pushing them down.”
Brad leaned back, nodding approvingly. “Yeah… yeah, I’m convinced. Now we just need a damn good Metallo.”
I nodded. “Agreed. The chemistry here is incredible.”
Scott, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly spoke up. “I’ve got an idea.”
I turned to him, curious. “I’m listening.”
.
.
There will be a time skip to the John Wick premiere in the next chapter.
Comments
Jarod Lane
Corey Stall was such a good choice for Lex
mawrai
The actress chosen for Lois is a bit meh, but otherwise great casting choices.
mlungisi mguni
The way studios will start to actively avoid releasing whenever there’s an Adler movie is definitely going to become a hot trend 😂😂😂😂😂
