This promised icon set's been in the making since November last year but because of Heath Ledger's untimely death, I've postponed it until now. A day doesn't pass that I don't think about him but that is a topic for another entry.

Originally when I started preparing this set, the intro said: "I'm so in love with The Dark Knight already. One of the best sequels of all time, perhaps? CAN'T WAIT, OMFG. And Heath Ledger's Joker? Probably the role that will define him as an actor. Gay cowboy? Not anymore! He's the bloody JOKER."

Then Heath passed away and I could not bring myself to finish the icons. The Joker, at least to me, was dead. An actor I was *this* close to pronouncing my favourite, was gone, and with him went a character I was obsessing over almost as much as I do with my beloved Superman (and that's saying a lot). Not even Superman could soothe me.

But I was wrong because Joker lives on in Heath's performance, just like dear Heath lives on in our memories. It took me a long time to realize it. He'll never be forgotten as long as we remember him. Here's to you, Heath, and thank you for everything. You are missed.

Icons include Batman, Joker and Bale and Ledger in other roles as well. Plenty of animations (see my current icon). Sorry for the delay! Real-life stuff's been very crazy for months (and there is a giant hole in my wall ^^). Things will be back to normal soon.

TOTAL: 100
33 The Dark Knight
39 Batman Begins
9 Other Christian Bale movies
9 Heath Ledger
10 Joker in the comics & Joker quotes

TEASERS


( 33 The Dark Knight icons (9 animated) )

( 39 Batman Begins icons (10 animated) )

( 9 Other Christian Bale movies icons: The Machinist, All the Little Animals, Equilibrium )

( 9 Heath Ledger icons )

( 10 Joker in the comics / Joker quotes icons )

And remember what the Joker says... "It's not funny if you drop Batman into a giant pie... IT'S ONLY FUNNY IF I DO IT!" :)

Feedback is ♥.

Today's my 27th Birthday. :( I wish I wasn't that old, in fact, I wish I'd never age at all! *cue DRAMATIC SIGH* Life is unfair and all that.

I'm going to have some pancakes today instead of the usual cake! :) Not sure about the filling yet but something yummy for sure!

How about instead of moping I post this lovely Clark Kent pic from the Superman Returns Movie Adaptation comic.



Soon to come are more SR caps from the dvd extras, as well as a new series of posts about scenes I'd personally cut from the movie or combine with others/rewrite them (to make the movie flow better, etc). I've been thinking of doing this for a long time and it won't be that hard to get the first entry up since a few scenes immediately popped into my head the moment I first thought about this. *chuckle*

Another thing I wanna do is a Supergirl re-design and new origin for my own enjoyment (since the current one in comics is so severely lacking and confusing), including an entry about her hobbies and interests and what she DOES in her free time. As an extra, an entry about the kind of clothes and fashion style that would suit her (in my eyes, anyway).

If it were up to me I'd make Supergirl likeable and interesting to both little girls, teenage girls, women AND the male readers of all ages, where the comic would have something in it for everyone without alienating the other parties. Whenever I think of Linda, there are so many nice things that pop into my head that "could have been" if only she was given the same respect, dedication and love as her cousin Superman.

First and foremost, I'd give her back her secret identity of Linda Lee, since in comics she's just Supergirl right now and has no life or identity at all besides her superhero duties. The secret identity would be re-imagined in this case, starting from fresh. If they can write a little kid into the canon for Lois and Clark to adopt, I can re-imagine Linda.

Thank You so much to everyone on my friendslist who has sent me Xmas and New Year cards! *hugs friendslist*

I've received Superman and Clark Kent oriented cards, fanart and other goodies, including two Superman Returns fanfics, and a bookmark and keychain from the movie! *dance danceeee*

A huge bear hug goes to teh_pariah, moonface, taro_twist, rizny, cmer, duskwillow, as well as Sumaya and Jess!



If anyone else sent cards, they haven't arrived yet but I'm sure they'll turn up eventually. :) Cards sent from USA on the 19th reached me just a few days ago, for instance. There were even some cards that were sent 5 days apart, yet arrived here on the same day. Mail is so crazy and "illogical" during holiday season LOLZ. Most of your cards arrived on time, either before Xmas or between Xmas and New Year's.

Under the cut are scans of the beautiful Superman and Clark drawings I've received from you.

( See the gifts! )

Thank you all! The gifts and cards were put carefully into one of my folders where I keep everything from drawings, letters, cards, photos and other things received from friends. One day when I'm old I'll leaf through that folder and think: "That was one good Xmas."

I'm 2 weeks behind on everyone's posts but it's nothing I can't catch up. *cackle* Have some Superman posts of my own planned, too, and then on the 17th it's my Birthday. Woe. I oh so hate getting older... Why, precioussss, why...

Lots of very nice JLA news and some rumours to report today, also a few old nuggets I've collected from previous weeks and never got the chance to post. Newest stuff at the top.

JLA COSTUME DESIGN
- Producer Barrie Osborne talks briefly about Weta Costumes, George Miller's take, here's some of it:

Weta Workshop's involvement in another blockbuster movie has been unmasked - the physical effects studio has beaten Hollywood to design and make the costumes for superheroes including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and The Flash.

The costumes will be donned by a yet-to-be-named cast for the big-budget Hollywood movie Justice League of America, to be filmed in Sydney this year and directed by Australian George Miller of Mad Max and Happy Feet fame.

The film's Wellington-based American producer, Barrie Osborne, who produced Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, confirmed Weta Workshop's involvement.

"They are doing all the costumes and they're doing a brilliant job," he told The Dominion Post from Sydney.

"A lot of people thought it would be too hard, that you can only make those things in Hollywood."

"George Miller has a great take on the material, so it elevates it to something that's not a comic-book movie," he said.

If you remember, the previous costume designer Marit Allen passed away not long ago. It's WETA doing the costumes now! That's at least one good piece of news (not that Allen died but that WETA is in charge now, obviously. How can you beat WETA?). I also like that last quote.

"JLA WILL BE INSANE"
- Canada.com reports about an actor rumoured for a JLA villain:

Montrealer Jay Baruchel is on the phone from Sydney, Australia, where he's in rehearsals for what is rumoured to be the most expensive Warner Bros. movie in history. Set for release in 2010, the project is shrouded in secrecy and while Baruchel can't talk too much about it, he does hint at something exciting. "The (film) I'm doing now will be a real cracker," he says in his frank, confident tone. "It will be insane."

Another good and positive quote. It seems the hype has begun! Countdown to February...

MILLER: ANCIENT GREEK GODS AS "REFERENCE POINT" FOR JLA
- NeosKosmos reports:

Dr Miller has been confirmed by Warner Bros. as the director of 'Justice League of America', a large-scale superhero epic featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and a host of others, "The Justice League superheroes are in fact related to ancient Greek gods and that will be my reference point."

The film will showcase a detailed blending of live-action, motion-capture, and CGI animation.

What a quote! Interesting. They better keep going with these because the fan response has been incredibly poor lately and everyone's moaning 5 months of waiting has been enough. You don't want to anger the fanbase too much, we're all tired by now, right? I'm thinking we'll be getting more of these little gems in the following weeks.

( More... EVA GREEN *NOT* IN JLA, says her management )

( JLA scenic artist and props maker, JLA illustrator and concept artist )

( RUMOUR: ADAM BRODY 'EXCITED' ABOUT JLA? )

And here's an older rumour from last month (*checks notes*) but it wasn't picked up by the major websites:

RUMOURED JLA ACTORS ASSEMBLE AT A HOTEL IN SYNDEY!
- On Dec 18 we got news on SuperHeroHype boards of a fan who met actor Adam Brody at an hotel in Sydney and got a picture taken with him (see link for pic!). Members wondered if the fan (who actually works at the hotel) could let them know if any other actors are currently staying at the hotel... Like maybe, oh, I don't know, Teresa Palmer, DJ Cotrona and other rumoured people? ;) And were they there because of a movie? The hotel guy says 'yes' to the movie question and 'yes' to the actors, THEY WERE ALL THERE, TOO. "Yes, at the hotel were Cotrona, Hammer, Cabrera, Teresa Palmer and Adam Brody."

O___O

I'd say Megan Gale, also rumoured for Wonder Woman, isn't on the list is because she actually lives in Sydney and wouldn't have to stay at a hotel. :)

( Oh, gee, what would all these actors be doing at the same hotel in Sydney where JLA will be filming? )

Also, the rumoured date for the start of filming is February 11, though one source on SuperHeroHype boards said it's actually getting under way in mid/late March? *ponder* The latter was by an unconfirmed source (but who's really CONFIRMED these days, anyway?) but he claims the JLA technical people from Sydney have been saying this for a month now.

After the news of Brandon Routh being pushed away because of the newcomer Superman in JLA, many sites picked up the story, also voicing their own opinions on the matter. The support for Routh is very vocal, "he's the best part about Superman Returns, he's doesn't deserve this", etc etc, but lots of people are relieved about Singer supposedly leaving, too. It does look like many are of the opinion the faults in SR were the writing, the editing, the film itself. Not Brandon Routh. He only did what the director told him to do. People were saying the same thing when SR came out. He's the "saving grace" of the film and whathaveyou.

SR underperforming may not be Brandon's fault, just like him possibly not being Superman again isn't his fault, but he's certainly the casualty in all this. One fan called him "collateral damage" and it's the perfect way to describe it, really. He could go down with the rest because the writers are gone, Singer could walk, WB could support the new JLA Superman instead, there will be a new cast, etc. It's just a domino effect. If Singerverse is gone, Routh is gone. It isn't fair but is movie business ever fair?

Aaaand you know what's coming next! I wondered how long it would take some site to claim right the opposite, that Brandon is IS STILL Superman, so there! Moriarity of AintItCoolNews merely reported what Variety said at first but then they added an update to the article on the same day (this was still the same day the original news broke):

Updated! Brandon Routh Is Evidently Still The Man Of Steel!

UPDATE -- I just got off the phone with a very high-ranking mole who is absolutely in a position to know what's happening with this film, and he tells me that it is "absolutely false" that Brandon Routh is out as Superman for the stand-alone series.

The only thing that has been determined is that JUSTICE LEAGUE will not feature the actors from the other films. That's it.

Right now, Routh is still Warner's choice to return if they make another stand-alone SUPERMAN film, and that's based on conversations as recently as a few weeks ago.

Don't believe this one, kids. Routh's still the Man of Steel.

Then the usual spiel of backpedaling happened and LatinoReview made a correction to their original article:

**EDIT** Other sites are breaking our balls about how I wrote this news piece, so let me correct it. (It's my first news article. Give me a break people!) The article does not state that whomever is cast as Superman will also be the same actor to carry on the stand alone Superman sequel, but we've heard otherwise. If we're wrong, you can go back to breaking said balls.

O_O Um, okay. The usual... but too late. No cookie for you. The damage is done. I was expecting this but frankly, it doesn't lessen the blow to me. They could have done this months ago if they're in it for website hits and traffic and "who's the biggest insider of them all". They could have had tons of "MOS is dead, wait no, MOS is still on" scoops, just like IESB.net ruled the JLA rumour mill for several months.

They're only doing it now because we're so close to JLA starting filming. The date's been set for months. The cast will be announced soon and many people are disappointed about the rumoured names, plus everyone wants to have some sort of scoop right now before all hell breaks loose. It's the perfect timing to scare people. Adding Brandon to the mix just sweetens the deal, makes everything "juicier".

If we've learnt anything from the JLA rumour mill debacle, it's that rival websites and insiders will fight for website hits and traffic and naturally the competition will try to steal it away. Besides, you know what else this Superman drama needs? The TOM WELLING angle. Again. Seriously, you can't have a good Superman scoop without Tom Welling!

( '[Welling] supposedly has discussed this with a close friend and was told that it is already too late to avoid being typecast and he should go where the money is or risk ending up with no career after Smallville.' )

I've been reading some fan discussions on the whole Routh debacle and one fan believes WB is so daring at the mo to dump Routh because Welling was always their first choice anyway and now that they've got him for JLA and possibly the solo Superman franchise, they no longer need Routh. If it's true he was offered an amount few people would refuse (doesn't he get like over $1 million a year for each season of Smallville?), he may as well change his mind and take the role.

One fan mentioned Routh got only $30,000 for SR. That's insane, I've heard it was either $1 or $2 million! I forgot. Does anyone know? Anyhoo, it's not something that's important to me but since WB's all business (all that matters is box office) and is moving ahead with JLA that's probably worth it for very profitable merchandising/toys alone, then maybe they'd be willing to spend a little extra on Welling if that means he'll accept the role. If Welling got the role, he'd be the only really known actor in the superhero team anyway.

The damage is done. It took one short article, no, PARAGRAPH, for the fanbase to see that Brandon would be missed if WB dumped him. People have spoken. Many may be glad about a new director but Brandon they wanna keep. The only problem with this reasoning is that if Singer is gone, a new director would want to follow his own vision and cast his own Superman. Hence the domino effect: First the writers, then the director, then Brandon and the rest of the cast. Bye bye MOS, hello reboot with new Superman, whoever you may be.

Watch a big portion (it's still early!) of the Superman online community go in a frenzy when Variety blog innocently writes the following in their article about upcoming DC comics movies:

Speaking of DC Comics pics, it is highly unlikely that Bryan Singer will return to shoot the next Superman movie. (The director is finishing up Tom Cruise's Nazi film Valkyrie, and prepping The Mayor of Castro Street). The next Superman we will see on the big screen will not be Brandon Routh, but a younger Superman among a cast of youthful superheroes in The Justice League. That movie will likely not be shot, however, until after the WGA strike is resolved. Warners is so happy with Dark Knight that their fondest hope is that Nolan will return to do another Batman.

It's immediately being mis-read by some fans and you can see it coming from a mile away... Brandon not being in JLA is treated as NEWS when in fact we've known for a long time now that he wasn't even approached about the movie. But people are flipping over that one paragraph in the blog anyway.

Of course Routh isn't in JLA. The blog meant the next onscreen Superman we're going to see will be the JLA Superman since that movie is moving ahead of any possible Superman Returns sequel. That's what it really says. We already knew that. It was pretty much one of the main things being discussed in the Superman fandom since past summer. The blog does not mention the sequel at all, it mentions Bryan not returning to direct JLA which is, uh, also not news, since JLA is being directed by Miller. O_O It's trying to sell the "No Bryan" angle as news.

Bad choice of wording. Honestly. Also using words "likely" and "unlikely" which sound more like opinion and speculation, as SupermanHomepage wisely reminds us.

All of this screaming because of a weblog! Also remember Variety was the one source saying months back WB is still unsure how to proceed regarding JLA and that the strike is effecting everything. The rumour sites, on the other hand, kept saying JLA is full-steam ahead and the strike won't affect the filming schedule, according to Miller. Variety's been one of the big players in the JLA rumour mill extravaganza last year if only because they carry more weight than online websites posting rumours.

But then it gets better...

Just when you see people calming down a bit, there's another shock around the corner! The death stroke was delivered by LatinoReview which jumped on board linking to the above article and saying they've known this all along but weren't allowed to say it just yet because DC forbid them. They announce it's been confirmed Brandon will not be Superman again in ANY movie:

News is a funny thing. Sometimes when its reported the person who reported it gets the credit for breaking the news. Latinoreview has always tried to be the front runner in breaking casting news. Sometimes we miss, but most of the time we're dead on.

Kelvin knew about Brandon not being the new Superman for weeks and weeks now, but made a promise to the DC people that he wouldn't break the story. Variety has now confirmed what we've secretly known for a while and Brandon Routh will be replaced in the stand alone sequel by whomever is cast as Superman in the upcoming Justice League of America movie.

Personally, I thought Brandon did a great job. He had the look to pull off the character and the girls all went nuts for him in tighty tights (I conducted a poll). It wasn't his fault that the script was bad. Hopefully Hollywood knows what they're doing in casting someone who may be even younger than Routh in the role. I don't know what the fascination is with younger casting, especially for super heroes. But I'll take a younger actor if it means Nicolas Cage can't go anywhere near the role.

Now, granted, this isn't just any "rumour site". It was LatinoReview who first broke the news Brandon Routh was cast as Superman in SR. He had to hide away from the press for a week. They were also first to report Singer was interested in the SR project in the first place.

Many fans, especially anti-SR people, are rejoicing and seeing this news, ESPECIALLY the LatinoReview article, AS OFFICIAL.

( LatinoReview does not focus on JLA like the Variety blog. It clearly states in plain words that can't be misinterpreted: they've known for a long time Brandon isn't returning. )



I've said it before and I'll say it again. Though it pains me to choose because I honestly like Singer as a director and a person, if I HAD to choose between Singerverse/movie by Singer or Brandon Routh, I'd pick Brandon Routh in a heartbeat. I want him far more as Superman than Singer behind the helm. That choice was always obvious to me.

*SIGH* Not feeling okay today, I really need a while to digest this. Think it through. This could be the lowest point we've reached since the awful WB quote "IF we make a sequel..." so long ago. I'm still not sure whether I even believe the news or not. A huge part of me denies it with a passion because I'm a fan of Brandon's and not letting him continue is just beyond ridiculous to me.
But as others have said already, I wouldn't be surprised if it indeed turned out to be true and the past JLA rumours of a new younger Superman and possible solo Superman movies spinning off JLA all seem to point to this turn of events. I've said it before that it seriously worried me when the SR writers "left" (or were booted by WB, whatever you choose to believe) the project first because it could mean Bryan would walk next and then Routh, if only by association. It's been suggested before.

And now it LOOKS like it's happening and I'm so sick of it, so sick of WB and sick of lack of official news. It's shocking how calm I am, I don't think it has really hit me yet and a huge part of me does reject the news as false. That must be the reason I haven't screamed yet. It's the fighter in me. The loyal fan.

DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW. UGH!

27 icons of Equilibrium (2002), one of my fave not just Christian Bale movies but movies in general. I'm shocked this movie doesn't have a bigger fandom! Bale was amazing in the role and I iconed/animated some of my fave action scenes. *spazz* He was like Bruce Lee and Neo mixed together. *flails like Kermit*

What a character role for him! He plays a 'Cleric' (sort of like an elite super policeman) in a "perfect" futuristic world where people have to suppress their emotions. Because of it there is no war in the world. No murder. But at what a cost? In a world where showing feelings is against the law and punishable by death, Cleric John Preston finds himself reevaluating everything he ever knew...

I'm a total Cleric John Preston fangirl, yes. Oh, Preston. And the action! The "gun fu"! Bale kicking everyone's ass with seeming ease! Bale and PUPPY = FOR THE WIN! I also love the idea of Clerics with martial art skills and I dig the Bruce Lee style coats. Even the white outfit Bale wore at the end was VERY Bruce Lee. It made me so happy.

27 Equilibrium

TEASERS


( In the first years of the 21st century, a third World War broke out. Those of us who survived knew mankind could never survive a fourth; that our own volatile natures could simply no longer be risked. So we have created a new arm of the law: The Grammaton Cleric, whose sole task it is to seek out and eradicate the true source of man's inhumanity to man - his ability to feel. )

I know this post isn't Superman related but since it was originally part of my previous Superman/Batman icon batch (the icon number got too big for one post), I'm posting it here anyway. Bale for the win!

I love feedback! :)