Superman

Will Hollywood blockbuster budgets continue to fly "up, up and away?" Not necessarily.

At least, not at Warner Bros. Pictures. After a $225 million "Pirates of the Caribbean" sailed into port, taking the wind out of "Superman Returns'" $205 million Spandex, Warner Bros. executives are said to be circumspect as to whether the Man of Steel will fly again.

Talent agency insiders with ties to the film tell TMZ that Warner Bros. Pictures president and COO Alan Horn has informed agents that a sequel hinges on whether grosses of "Superman Returns" can crest the $200 million mark domestically. What's more, the studio plans to shave millions - many millions - off any "Superman" sequel's budget. (Amusingly, in the current "Superman Returns," Lois Lane pleads with Lex Luthor, "But millions will die! " It turns out she was right on the money.)

As Variety's box office guru Ben Fritz noted last July 4th, "Superman Returns is off to a strong start, albeit not as fast as a speeding bullet. Warner Bros. superhero tent pole grossed a solid $52.5 million on its opening weekend and $74 million over the five-day Fourth of July frame. Since its Wednesday opening, the Bryan Singer-helmed franchise restart has taken in $106 million."

Recently legwarmers crept back onto the pages of fashion mags and the limbs of a fashion victims everywhere. Now, along with skinny jeans and leggings, it seems the all-mighty spandex leotard is back to help you relive all the memories of that big-haired era.

Like rubber bracelets, vogueing and Kaballah before them, this trend is being spearheaded by none other than the queen of reinvention herself, Madonna. On her Confessions tour as well as in her latest videos, the Material Girl struts her stuff in the one-piece wonders showcasing her ripped body like a 47-year-old virgin.

And you can be sure that if Madonna wears it they will come. Stores like American Apparel have started carrying the item in different styles and retailing it for under $30 ensuring that even though they may not look good on everyone, anyone can afford one.

When it comes to "Superman Returns," Warner Bros. is sighing with relief, but not yet swooning with ecstasy. The Bryan Singer re-imagining managed $21 million in its first day in release, or about what Tom Cruise's pre-sofa "War of the Worlds" did on a comparable Independence Day weekend.

Having spoken with a box office expert or two just now, the real worry for Warner Bros. isn't this weekend, which has a luxurious seven days thanks to a Tuesday July 4th holiday. Rather, it's the next, when "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" opens. The Johnny Depp epic is tracking is "off the charts," as Nikki Finke reported weeks ago, and remains so.

Well, the good news here is that while "Superman Returns" won't be the biggest opening in history, at least it will probably be the most heterosexual opening weekend ever: Reports Variety, "As expected, initial group of moviegoers were heavily male, at 58%...Studio is hoping gender distribution will be more even by the weekend."

After the record-breaking performance of "Aquaman," another superhero movie is set to open and try to steal away the box office crown. With June 28 right around the corner, does "Superman" have what it takes to dethrone "Aquaman"?

Box office pundits were surprised when "Aquaman" broke the record for the biggest opening weekend ever -- with $116,844,114 -- besting the 2002 opening of "Spider-Man" by $2 million.

For director James Cameron, "Aquaman" marked his biggest opening weekend by far. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" took in $31.7 million during its first three days, while "Titanic" only took in $28.6 million. "Titanic," of course, went on to be the highest-grossing movie of all time ($600.7 million).

He can stop bullets, but not even Superman can stop Cupid's arrow.

Brandon Routh has been with his girlfriend, actress Courtney Ford, for two and a half years. The happy couple arrived at the "Superman Returns" premiere together and were inseparable.

While Brandon's career is flying high, Courtney insists the action star hasn't changed at all. In fact, Courtney describes the relationship as "kinda boring."

What happens when a 47-year-old ex-con goes up against the boy in blue? Will Jerri Blank be able to stand up to Superman?

Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris -- creators of the acclaimed Comedy Central cult favorite "Strangers with Candy" -- hope so as they bring the sitcom about a 47 year-old loser who returns to high school to the big screen.

The film is not even in cinemas yet, but "Superman Returns" star Brandon Routh already has his own wax figure modeled after his character.

Routh was on hand as the figure was unveiled the Man of Steel- er, wax- by the famous Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York City Tuesday.

The young actor said "It's very flattering, but it's Superman as much as it is me. It's great to have that part of history in Madame Tussauds and for people to come up and see is kind of exciting. Everybody wants to see "Superman Returns."

'Superman Returns' stars Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth hit Kitson, a hot spot in Beverly Hills, to help promote a charity event.

In honor of the late and original Superman, Christopher Reeve, Kitson is selling autographed dolls of the super hero and his fictional wife, Lois Lane, to raise money for spinal cord injury treatment. All proceeds go to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

At the exclusive launching of the charity event, Routh spoke about the movie, which is set to hit theaters June 30th.

Click here to see the video.

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Athletic Brandon -- whose known as 'BJ' to his family and friends -- beat out big names like Ashton Kutcher, Josh Hartnett and Nicolas Cage, to star in the new $100 million blockbuster 'Superman Returns.'

"BJ's thrilled to be picked to play Superman and I know he's up to the task of taking over from Christopher Reeve. My son is very comfortable in his own skin and he's up for the role of a lifetime," his father tells TMZ.

The 6'2" actor was raised in a modest home by his carpenter father Ron and school-teacher mom Katie with his two sisters and brother. Brandon's former drama teacher, Margo Murillo, knew his calling after his first school play. "Brandon is a naturally gifted actor," she says. "During our production of the Neil Simon play, 'Plaza Suite,' he brought the house down with his performance."

"He's not the kind of guy to go out partying every night but he has a good sense of humor," Murillo added. "One time he had the whole school in stitches after he dressed-up as a hunky male stripper to surprise a teacher."

Routh has had bit parts on 'The Gilmore Girls,' 'Will & Grace' and 'Cold Case.' His attention grabbing break came when Christina Aguilera hand-picked him for her video to the smash hit 'What A Girl Wants.'

Warner Brothers' 'Superman Returns' director Bryan Singer wanted an unknown actor for the part and when the Iowa native walked into their casting office they immediately knew they had their man.

Routh will be the second Iowa-born actor to play the Man Of Steel. George Reeves -- who played the superhero on television in the 1950's -- was also from the 'Hawkeye' State. Reeves was found shot dead in a mysterious suicide at his Hollywood home on June 19, 1959. He was 45.