Ursa is back!!!

I have faith in Snyder. The man doesn´t shy from showing strong female leads, just check Dawn of the Dead, the Amazing Watchmen and the Promising Sucker Punch. He LIKES to have a good looking babe with screentime, so if ursa´s in we are on to a good ride:woohoo:

Also we can expect some gourgeous choices for ursa, lois, etc. unlike Brian Singer and his fugly LL:huh:

Yeah I like Snyder too and I'm glad he was chosen as director. I'm also glad Chris Nolan and David Goyer are on board as well. I've seen all of Zack's movies (yeah I know he hasn't made that many) with the exception of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and I've loved every one.

My fake interview with: Keira Knightley

note: if you don’t like the idea of Keira Knightley as Ursa, then you can write your own phony interview and replace her with an actress you do like.

This is Dr. Lazarus for SuperWomenMania. It’s now official: Keira Knightley is Ursa. That’s right, the lovely and talented British actress will be playing the Kryptonian villainess in the much anticipated Superman reboot, Superman: Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and produced by Christopher Nolan, slated for release in 2012. Keira was nice enough to sit down with me for a brief interview.

SuperWomenMania: So, Miss Knightley …

Keira Knightley: Oh please, call me Keira.

SWM: Sure. So, Keira, how does it feel to be playing Ursa?

KK: Oh, god. It’s incredible. It really is. I’ve always been a big fan of the character.

SWM: Get out. Really?

KK: Oh yes. I remember the first time I saw Superman II on the telly; I was probably about 9 or 10. After it was over, I ran into the kitchen, screaming to my mum, “I want to be URSA!” and she was of course, like, “Who the bloody hell is Ursa?” I tried to explain it to her, “She’s this really beautiful, really strong, really bad lady who tries to kill Superman!” (laughs)

SWM: Wow! I can’t believe it.

KK: It’s true! I swear! And every time it would come on the telly again, I would go absolutely bonkers. I just had to watch it. I would even go as far as to pretend to be Ursa. I would dress in black, and quote Ursa’s lines from the movie—using my best Sarah Douglas voice—such as, “I told you this was a puny planet” or “I have powers beyond reason here!” I would also make props out of cardboard, and I would toss them around and then smash them! I even made a cardboard astronaut that I would kick, just like Sarah did! (laughs) My brother, Caleb, would sometimes play Superman, and we would really go at it. My mum did get a little nervous about that stuff, though. She thought it was too violent. (laughs)

SWM: Amazing. Have you spoken to Sarah Douglas? What does she think about you taking over what is probably her most famous role?

KK: You know, I actually have spoken to Sarah about it. And you know what? She’s absolutely thrilled!

SWM: Really.

KK: Why yes! I met with her recently in London, and she told me how a year or so ago, someone once asked her that if Ursa were to appear in a movie again, who she thought should play her, and she said— without hesitation—that I would be the perfect choice. I was like, oh my god! I mean, here she is, the Ursa, and she’s basically giving me her blessing. It’s really quite an honor, let me tell you.

SWM: That’s great. I didn’t want to bring this up, but …

KK: It’s ok, I’ll answer anything. Well, almost anything.

SWM: Ok, here goes. Well, some have said you’re just not, um, muscular enough for the role. How would you respond?

KK: All I can say is: look, while she may look human, Ursa is really from another planet, right? She has powers because she’s a Kryptonian living under a yellow sun – not from working out at some bloody gym! (laughs) Also, Sarah was hardly muscular herself.

SWM: I totally agree with you. Can you give us any sneak peak into what the movie will be about?

KK: Well, filming hasn’t really begun. I mean, the first draft of the script is barely finished. And also, Zach and Chris sort of made me promise not to tell. Sorry.

SWM: Darn. Can you at least give us an idea as to what your Ursa will be like?

KK: Uh sure, I think so. Well, I realize I can never top Sarah’s performance, and I’m not going to try. This Ursa will be a little different – while still being as faithful to Sarah’s version as possible without being a mere copy.

SWM: Different? In what way?

KK: Well, for example, this Ursa will be much less subservient to General Zod.

SWM: Ooh, I like that.

KK: She definitely has her own agenda, one that doesn’t necessarily include Zod and Non. She’s aware of her god-like powers and is not afraid to use them. And she’s not going to let any man stand in her way or tell her what to do, General or not.

SWM: Awesome.

KK: I like to think of it as Ursa Unleashed! (laughs) I remember this scene from Superman II that always kind of bugged me. It was where Ursa arm-wrestles this bloke at a diner, and she of course knocks him to the floor, and General Zod is standing there, rolling his eyes, annoyed. I'm like, “Oh c’mon! Can’t a girl have a little fun!” I mean, lighten up, Zod baby.

SWM: That scene always kind of bothered me too.

KK: Well, in this movie, Ursa will be having a lot of fun, let me tell you.

SWM: I can’t wait! Will there be lots of super-strength scenes?

KK: Most definitely. I can’t really go into any details, but trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

SWM: Will there be any finger-flicking ?

KK: (sighs) Yes, I believe there will be finger-flicking.

SWM: Woohoo! Any final words for our SWM readers out there?

KK: Look out – Ursa is back, and she’s badder than ever! (laughs)

SWM: Great! Well Keira, thank you so much for your time.

KK: It was my pleasure.

That was my fake interview with Keira Knightley. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you didn’t … oh well.

But does Keira have as much ATTITUDE as Siouxie Sioux?



--J.J.

And here are the lyrics to one of Siouxie's songs on MantaRay. Sounds almost like what the AU calls "enhancement:"

Lyrics to Into A Swan :

What in the world is happening?
What in the world could this be?
I'm on the verge of an awakening
A new kind of strength for me

I feel a force I've never felt before
I don't want to fight it anymore
Feelings so strong can't be ignored
I burst out - I'm transformed

Rising up, shaking it off
The yesterday dreary
Graceful and strong, No more forlorn
Today's a jubilee
Don't be surprised
This change is my design

I feel a force I've never felt before
I don't want to fight it anymore
Feelings so strong can't be ignored
I burst out - I'm transformed

I feel a force I've never felt before
I can't hold it down I've just got to soar
And laugh in the face that is vulture law
I burst out, I'm transformed

I feel a force I've never felt before
I don't want to fight it anymore
Feelings so strong can't be ignored
I burst out - I'm transformed

I feel a force I've never felt before
I can't hold it down I've just got to soar
And laugh in the face that is vulture law
I burst out - I'm transformed
I burst right out - Into a swan
I burst out into a swan

(Thanks to Belkis for these lyrics)

And here she is performing it with that ATTITUDE:



--Brantley

Well, I have to wonder if Ursa's makeup, hair, and costume—including her predilection for pinning badges and other insignia to her suit— weren’t at least partially inspired by punk/new wave, specifically Siouxsie.

You've got a point. I miss the 1980's what would be appropriate today a redo of the Adam and the Ant's come to earth, or a modern reboot, but who would be a proper template, Lady Ga Ga, Katie Perry, Maybee the lead singer from Evenescence. Call me sentimental but I think the punk new wave thing kinda fits, but hey, Rachel Weiss in a little black toga and sandles could work too, it's all about attitude.

I've been browsing the Official Sarah Douglas Facebook page (Sarah actually posts there from time to time), and it seems a lot of Sarah Douglas fans aren't too thrilled with the idea of Ursa making a comeback. It's almost as if they feel the role is sacred or something, and that it belongs to Sarah Douglas alone and no one else can touch it. While I agree no one could ever top Sarah's performance as Ursa, that doesn't mean I think no one should ever play the character again. Just like I feel Chris Reeve is the definitive Superman, but that doesn't mean no one should ever play Supes again.

The admin of The Sarah Douglas FB page posted:
Join our fun petition because if they really ARE planning on bringing Ursa back, we will only accept the ORIGINAL Ursa.... www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_17130...tif_t=group_activity

Sarah's sensible response:
Now come on guys..I could never fit into that flying harness...I will settle for Ursa' s mum..or much older sister OK!!! Besides, Keira Knightley has already gotten the part. (Ok so I made that last part up Though someone did ask her who she thought would make a good Ursa but she hasn't replied yet)

Dr. Lazarus:

I got a kick out of your take-off on "Mack the Knife."

In the same spirit, I thought I'd tweak "Whatever Lola Wants" (from Damn Yankees)--but as I played the song in my head, I realized that it hardly needs tweaking at all! Just change "Lola" to "Ursa" and "heart and soul" to, say, "little world."

Here's a cover by the superlative Sarah Vaughan:



Can't you just imagine Sarah Douglas crooning this to a battered and beaten Superman in Superman II?

argonaut wrote: Dr. Lazarus:

I got a kick out of your take-off on "Mack the Knife."

Thanks. I'm glad somebody liked it. (it's just that every time someone says "so-and-so is back" I always think of that song)

argonaut wrote: In the same spirit, I thought I'd tweak "Whatever Lola Wants" (from Damn Yankees)--but as I played the song in my head, I realized that it hardly needs tweaking at all! Just change "Lola" to "Ursa" and "heart and soul" to, say, "little world."

Here's a cover by the superlative Sarah Vaughan:

Can't you just imagine Sarah Douglas crooning this to a battered and beaten Superman in Superman II?

Great choice! Not that it really needs it—as you said—but I came up with some lyrics anyway:

Whatever Ursa wants
Ursa gets
And puny planet, Miss Ursa wants you!
I've made up my mind to have
No mercy
Recline yourself, resign yourself, you're through
I always get what I aim for
And planet Earth is what I came for

Whatever Ursa wants
Ursa gets
Down on your knees
Don't you know you can't win?
I have come to your world to rule
I'm invulnerable, you fools! Give in! Give in! Give in!

Nice!

deadlinehollywood.com reports from an interview with Zach Synder that Amy Adams has been cast as Lois Lane.

another Zod rumor:

'Superman' lands Michael Shannon. Should we kneel before our new General Zod?

No mention of Ursa, but I just can't imagine Zod without her.