Opinions on Max Landis' ongoing "Kryptonian Epic" Pitch

[Multiverse]

For the past few months, screenwriter Max Landis has been pitching on his Youtube Channel “Uponmykness” his ambiguous Superman project: The Kryptonian Epic, a series of stories which basically follow up from his acclaimed “Superman: American Alien”. It’s described as:

An ambitious, long-form story detailing a saga of greed, ambition, kindness, and power that consumes two planets over the course of 500 years, The Kryptonian Epic is meant as a kind of ultimate tribute piece for Superman.

Putting aside any of the controversy around him, I am impressed Max's take on the DC-Verse. That being said, he hasn't shown all of it yet (at least two-thirds at the moment). But so far there's lot to dissect from it.

spoilers:

Pros 1) This Superman can make mistakes (Death of Deadshot for one) but also helps make people better than what they are (his redemption of Aquaman and Riddler for one) 2) Lex Luthor character is so on point; and his manipulation and control of several characters such as an more elderly John Constantine, Zatanna, his own Justice League (comprised of a threatened Flash, a manipulated Wonder Woman and criminal Manchester Black) and a more mercenary-styled Suicide Squad (comprised of Deadshot, Lady Shiva, KGBeast and Brutale) is impressive. And as big as he is, apparently he won’t be the “Final Boss” of the series (it’s either Zod, Brainiac or Doomsday). 3) The racial diversity of certain characters (African-American Ted Kord and Jimmy Olsen, Half-Japanese Lois Lane etc.) is awesome (on par with “Spectacular Spider-Man”) 4) A more mentally disturbing Batman (complete with Multiple personality disorders; not just Batman and Bruce Wayne, but also Killer Moth, Bane, Matches Malone, and alternate Batman like the Caped Crusader, Owlman and Zur En Arhh) 5) Not all villains are beyond redemption (Riddler, Mr. Freeze and Parasite all seem to have great tragic yet redeeming qualities in his story); heck Riddler joins this version’s JSA. 6) His take on certain heroes are interesting (A Lovecraftian Aquaman, a “Former Wayne-Tech Based” Blue Beetle, a more buff-gladiator Wonder Woman with a limited view of Man’s World, and a “Red Tornado”-style armoured Flash with a “Plastic Man”-style personality and backstory) 7) This version’s Pete Ross is a fantastic supporting character (especially if he’s going where I think he’s going) 8) The Story flows like something out of Game of Thrones/ LotR (a rich tapestry of characters, all with their own mythos and stories and connect with Clark’s story really well) Cons 1) Certain character/ location changes are odd (Why is Ted Kord in Bludhaven instead of Hub City; and why is Dr. Sivana a Green Arrow villain, what’s wrong with Count Vertigo instead?) 2) His take on Joker and Vandal Savage is an acquired taste.

end of spoilers


If any of you have listened to his pitches, what was your opinion of the Kryptonian Epic Pitch so far?

[the illustrious mr. kenway]

They are pretty fun and remind me of the Snyderverse. Both Snyder and Landis were using the DCU characters in a Harry Potter like way. But I'd be cool with some spinoff down the road.

They also work as first drafts.

[HsssH]

I enjoyed American Alien a lot, but this sounds much weirder and different than it was.

[superduperman]

Until the accusations against him are resolved, I don't want him anywhere near Superman.

[achilles]

Well, didn't care for the pitch. Don't know who he is, or what the accusations against him are. Is he related to John Landis?

[Multiverse]

Well, didn't care for the pitch. Don't know who he is, or what the accusations against him are. Is he related to John Landis?

Long story short, Screen Writer known for the movie "Chronicle". Wrote "Superman: American Alien". Has been known to make misogynist statements about women and 3 years back was accused of sexual assaults (strangely haven't heard any followups from it outside of being dropped from movie company and scripts shelved).

[Jim Kelly]

Is he related to John Landis?

Nobody else has answered this question, so I will. Yes, he's related to John Landis. He's his son.

[Alpha]

Until the accusations against him are resolved, I don't want him anywhere near Superman.

I don't think he was accused of actually raping anyone, but what people described was a really creepy and psychologically abusive person when it comes to romantic relationships. And like, he himself had talked about a lot of those things before, but it was still different hearing it from other women. I had spent hours and hours listening to him talk about all sorts of things and once I read the descritptions women gave I could no longer listen to his voice. It became disturbing. But after those 3 years, I don't know, I still wanted to listen to his ideas. I totally undestand why others absolutely don't.

[superduperman]

I don't think he was accused of actually raping anyone, but what people described was a really creepy and psychologically abusive person when it comes to romantic relationships. And like, he himself had talked about a lot of those things before, but it was still different hearing it from other women. I had spent hours and hours listening to him talk about all sorts of things and once I read the descritptions women gave I could no longer listen to his voice. It became disturbing. But after those 3 years, I don't know, I still wanted to listen to his ideas. I totally undestand why others absolutely don't.

There is at least one actual rape allegation but even before then the creep factor was bad. Which is a shame. American Alien is one of the better Superman origins.

[SiegePerilous02]

Until the accusations against him are resolved, I don't want him anywhere near Superman.

Pretty much this. American Alien was pretty good, but not game changing or revolutionary even before we all learned Max was a creep.

I think he also pitched a Wonder Woman movie where an amnesiac Diana would arrive in our world as an Amazon sleeper agent to topple the patriarchy, and end up siding with us instead of the Amazons. We could do with less of him

[Revolutionary_Jack]

Sounds bad. Feels bad. Looks bad. Is bad.

That's Max Landis and his ideas -- Bright anyone?

Being a rich failson of a film director doesn't mean he's specially qualified especially since all he's doing is proposing a version of Superman not in continuity or connected to any version that existed before.

[Gaius]

Pretty much this. American Alien was pretty good, but not game changing or revolutionary even before we all learned Max was a creep.

I think he also pitched a Wonder Woman movie where an amnesiac Diana would arrive in our world as an Amazon sleeper agent to topple the patriarchy, and end up siding with us instead of the Amazons. We could do with less of him

Lol, I watched them out of morbid curiosity. It's pretty much the worst of New 52/ Injustice mixed with the Hawkgirl arc from DCAU Justice League.

[Robanker]

Pretty much this. American Alien was pretty good, but not game changing or revolutionary even before we all learned Max was a creep.

I think he also pitched a Wonder Woman movie where an amnesiac Diana would arrive in our world as an Amazon sleeper agent to topple the patriarchy, and end up siding with us instead of the Amazons. We could do with less of him

I'm impressed how he managed to hit every branch on the Bad Idea tree on the way down during his descent entirely up his own ass. Jesus.