All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn’t Happen)

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

As a long-time fan of Superman, who has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous attempts to bring the Man of Steel to the big screen, I must say that each failed project feels like a punch to the gut. Each time, we get our hopes up for a new take on this iconic character, only to be left disappointed.

Is it possible that fans of Superman are being spoiled with too much content? Indeed! Since 2010, over a dozen live-action and animated productions featuring the Kryptonian have been unveiled, and more Kryptonite is on the horizon. The upcoming Superman by James Gunn is generating the buzz that such a high-caliber superhero movie deserves, and with the director’s proven track record, it’s safe to say that the new Man of Steel will bring joy to Jor-El in the Fortress of Solitude.

It’s intriguing to consider how diverse the Superman film series might have become, as numerous projects were either shelved or lingered in development limbo due to various factors. Had some of these productions come to fruition, the DC cinematic universe would have presented a significantly altered appearance. Notably, many of these aborted plans featured ambitious storylines that could have transported fans beyond their familiar Metropolis and Smallville settings. Yet, instead of lamenting the past, we can only ponder the possibilities.

6
‘Superman: Flyby’

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

In 2003, J.J. Abrams’ movie titled “Superman: Flyby” was scheduled for release and boasted an impressive ensemble of actors in its cast. Josh Hartnett or Matt Bomer were slated to play Superman, while Robert Downey Jr. or Johnny Depp were set to transform themselves by shaving their heads to portray Lex Luthor. Ralph Fiennes was chosen for the role of Ty-Zor, with Scarlett Johansson or Sophia Bush selected to depict Lois Lane. Christopher Walken was assigned the part of Perry White, and Anthony Hopkins was set to embody Jor-El in his fitting role.

As a passionate moviegoer, I must say that the plot of this film took a significantly darker turn. It delved into the struggles of Clark Kent, who went to great lengths to conceal his true identity even from his own parents, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion that they might be in danger from him. Lex Luthor, on the other hand, was portrayed in a chilling new light – as a cunning CIA agent with sinister intentions.

The Script’s Leak Didn’t Help

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can tell you that Abrams left no stone unturned in his pursuit of the job. He was convinced he had it in the bag, given his impressive track record spanning both the big and small screens. But the question remains: Was he overreaching? His screenplay, unfortunately, fell into the wrong hands and ended up online. It was there that a number of critics took aim at its darker undertones.

Despite the numerous criticisms, I, as an optimistic admirer, believe Warner Bros. held faith in their film due to the proven popularity of superhero movies, as exemplified by Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Several directors were recruited, but many stepped down, often citing difficulties in adapting JJ Abrams’s story within a practical budget. After much debate and deliberation, the studio ultimately decided to shelve the project.

5
‘Batman vs Superman’

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

In a scene that predated Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent’s debate over their mothers named Martha in Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, there was a concept… a concept that Batman would retire following Robin’s demise. The Joker, however, would slay Batman’s spouse, compelling him to emerge from retirement. But this revamped Batman wouldn’t maintain his benevolent demeanor any longer, especially after losing another kin. He would discard his rulebook and turn into a lethal vigilante. Naturally, Superman would oppose this new strategy, leading to a series of blows, punches, and clashes until only one of them remains standing.

Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker from the film Se7en was assigned to write the script, director Wolfgang Petersen of Air Force One was set to direct, and actors Colin Farrell and Jude Law were planned for the roles of Batman and Superman in the movie.

The Abandoned Fight Led to Better Things

The idea sure looks great, but we are glad the heavens preventing it because we might never have gotten to see Colin Farrell as the big bad Oz (Who in their right mind kills their sidekick?). In the end, it all came down to tone-related fears.

Warner Bros. believed that a somber narrative might not strike a chord with audiences in America following the 9/11 attacks. Fortunately, Christopher Nolan was soon brought on board to rejuvenate the Batman franchise. As a result, one of the most acclaimed movie trilogies emerged, making us wonder why everything felt so intense.

4
‘Superman Lives’

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

Following the disappointing reception of “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”, Warner Bros decided to steer Superman onto a new trajectory. A captivating way to revive the character seemed to be by adapting the 1992 comic, “The Death of Superman,” which had stirred controversy but sold over half a million copies. With his success in directing the Batman movie, Tim Burton was chosen as the director for this project, and Nicolas Cage, who was at the height of his fame in the ’90s, was seen as an ideal fit for Clark Kent because he was known to be an avid comic book enthusiast.

The Ghosts of Budget Constraints

Despite boasting a potential star-studded cast including Chris Rock and Sandra Bullock, the movie “Superman Lives” seemed destined for greatness. Unfortunately, its production costs were prohibitive, and Warner Bros., having experienced a series of flops with films like Batman & Robin, The Postman, One Eight Seven, Sphere, Fire Down Below, and Steel, found themselves in a financially precarious position.

A scene where Superman fights a giant spider was especially going to be super costly as it required groundbreaking visuals. Ultimately, the film’s budget was reallocated to Wild Wild West. Burton went on to direct the 1999 film Sleepy Hollow. Kevin Spacey, who had been cast as Lex Luthor, still saw his dream come true when he played the iconic villain in Superman Returns.

3
‘Superman V’

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

Before the astronomical failure of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Cannon Films planned to make a fifth film with Albert Pyun as director. However, the studio went bankrupt, resulting in the rights reverting back to Ilya and Alexander Salkind. Ilya Salkind penned the script with Superboy writers Cary Bates and Mark Jones in the early-1990s. The story had the Man of Steel dying and resurrecting in the bottled Krypton city of Kandor. The innovative script predated “The Death of Superman” storyline.

A Rough Journey That Was Eventually Abandoned

A reading session for “Superman V” took place at The Broadwater Theater, and the concept wasn’t unappealing. Nevertheless, after the disappointment of “Superman IV: Quest for Peace,” it made sense to explore a new path. Further information about the cancellation of “Superman V” suggests that Christopher Reeve and the rest of the cast may have declined to work on another Superman movie. Furthermore, Warner Bros. was determined to prevent Cannon’s Superman rights from being renewed, leading to a lot of tension behind the scenes.

2
‘Superman Returns’ Sequel

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

Bryan Singer’s movie, “Superman Returns“, sparked optimism among Warner Bros. executives, leading to plans for a franchise being developed. Interestingly, just four months before the film was set to be released in February 2006, the studio publicly announced that a sequel was in the works for 2009, with Singer and the original cast members reprising their roles. The draft script even planned to introduce Brainiac and Bizarro as new villains, aligning with the “New Krypton” landmass introduced in the first film.

Superman’s Money Was a Little Short

Despite receiving favorable critic reviews, the film “Superman Returns” didn’t bring in as much profit as Warner Bros. anticipated. It earned approximately 391 million dollars globally, while having a substantial production budget of 204 million dollars. Contrastingly, “Batman Begins,” released a year prior, generated 374 million dollars against a more moderate budget of 150 million dollars. As a result, attention was redirected towards “The Dark Knight,” which was predicted to yield greater earnings – and it indeed did so.

In August 2008, Jeff Robinov, the head of production at Warner Bros., shared insights on Bryan Singer’s project for Superman.

The film ‘Superman Returns’ didn’t live up to our expectations in terms of its portrayal of the character. It failed to establish Superman effectively, as he should have been established. If ‘Superman’ had succeeded in 2006, we would have had a movie out for Christmas that year or in 2009. Now, our strategy is simply to reintroduce Superman without any focus on a ‘Batman and Superman’ film.

In a span of a few years, the studio unveiled “Man of Steel”, marking the beginning of a cinematic universe similar to the MCU, which later came to be known as the DCEU. Sadly, this endeavor didn’t meet its intended success.

1
‘Superman Reborn’

All 6 Canceled Superman Movies (& Why They Didn't Happen)

Following the popularity of “The Death of Superman” comic book series, Warner Bros. acquired the rights to produce Superman films from Alexander Salkind in 1993. Instead of utilizing the existing “Superman V” script, they enlisted Jonathan Lemkin to pen a fresh story. The studio emphasized that this new tale should be suitable for families and feature an energetic, MTV-esque atmosphere.

Instead, Lemkin penned an unusual narrative titled “Superman Reborn“. In this plot, Clark Kent perishes in the early scenes, only for his life essence to transfer into Lois Lane. As a result, she experiences a miraculous virgin pregnancy. Later, she delivers a rapidly developing baby who transforms into the new Superman within just three weeks. The Peculiar Predicament of Clark Kent?

The Lack of a Clear Direction

In response to Warner Bros.’ disapproval of the original screenplay, Gregory Poirier undertook a significant revision. His new perspective proved more effective. Poirier incorporated additional villains from Superman’s rogue gallery, such as Silver Banshee, Brainiac, and Parasite. Moreover, instead of the super baby angle, he depicted Superman being resurrected through a government project. However, even with these changes, producer Kevin Smith remained dissatisfied. As a result, there was continuous back-and-forth, ultimately leading to the permanent shelving of the project.

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2024-12-22 20:02