The interesting thing about the crossover films is how the disparate elements fit together to create, as you say, "something bigger."

As good as the 2 Batman movies have been, Superman Returns was successful like Spider-Man 3 -- despite itself. DC needs to go the Marvel route and start building a DC Movie Universe. I think the way to do that is to limit the scope of each individual movie while tying smallish elements between movies until each stands on its own while "feeling" like part of something bigger. Marvel has started this process, it looks promising, and DC should copy it shamelessly.

Or maybe they could remake "Quark" with Steve Carell and Jessica Simpson as the Bettys. That fits current studio mentality.

Or maybe they could remake "Quark" with Steve Carell and Jessica Simpson as the Bettys. That fits current studio mentality.

Shhh! The last time one of us sarcastically suggested the studios remake something that, obviously, no sane person would remake, it was the suggestion they remake Rocky Horror.

If by "darker" they mean place Superman in a world that is darker then it could work. I think the assumption is that they will make Superman himself darker. As everyone has said, they can't do that and maintain the intergrity of the character. There were plenty of events in the comics that were dark (Superman's death being one obviously). He can still be a boy scout but face dark and terrifying times.

While writing this, I had a thought about what might be a cool way to reintroduce Superman (and start the process of erasing Superman Returns). Make movies based on other characters (like Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, etc.) and openly reference Superman in the scripts as being the hero other heroes want to emulate. Maybe even toss in glimpses of the red-and-blues in a scene or two (characters seeing TV news reports could be perfect for this kind of exposition). Then, assuming everything's working out nicely, a new Superman movie could be done without any references to the previous Superman movies and he could already be an established big part of a fresh, new DC Movie Universe.

Just a thought...