I just reread Birthright, and while there is a lot right with it, it doesn't have the small character moments that I really think Superman needs... I think Secret Origin has done a lot more to help explore his relationship with Lois, Jimmy, and Pete White, while the original just focuses on his relationship with his mom, which was good, and on his relationship with Lex, whose portrayal in Birthright has never sat all that well with me... I love the bits with Clark in Africa, the explanation that he pieced his degree in Journalism together over seven years in schools around the globe, building up a reputation that makes it perfect for him to end up with the Daily Planet...
I think I would want anyone making a Superman film to have a solid grasp of both, with Waid's scope and clear vision of who Clark Kent is, with Johns' ability to make the smallest character moments truly matter.