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In the latest examination of the problem of the Man of Steel's super sexual preference, yesterday's NY Times talked to Superman Returns' screenwriters and director Bryan Singer, who claim to have reimagined the hero as a sensitive guy dealing with typical "chick flick" romantic problems. Maddeningly vague talk of "being who he is" and "going beyond the borders of who he was" follows:

In "Superman Returns" the hero's sexuality is tempered by traditional values, the screenwriters said. The result is a kind of civilized masculinity, an acting challenge that falls to the previously little-known Brandon Routh. Although Lois Lane has a new boyfriend, Mr. Harris explained, she's still "the woman of Clark's dreams, and it's very difficult." He added: "He's put in the position where he's got to choose between being a good guy and being who he is, which would mean going beyond the borders of who he was. Which for the first time in a movie gives Superman something he can't overcome.

"It's like Kryptonite. It's like emotional Kryptonite." [...]

But Superman is also deeply in love with Lois, hence the 'chick flick' element that has Mr. Singer, apart from all the rollicking action beats, contemplating the Man of Steel from a woman's perspective. "He's virtuous, he doesn't lie, and he's handsome! And I think these are, these are idealistic qualities in the male that you, in someone that you'd want as a husband, I'd imagine."

Indeed, Superman would seem to be great husband material. With his highly desirable qualities of virtue, truthfulness, and good looks, Lois Lane knows better than to screw up a good thing by asking too many questions when he requests that she wear a bald cap and shout her plans for world domination during their weekly sex date.