Superman film series
The Ultimate Superman Collection
Directed by	Richard Donner (Superman & Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut) Richard Lester (Superman II & III) Sidney J. Furie (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) Bryan Singer (Superman Returns)
Produced by	Alexander Salkind & Ilya Salkind (Superman I, II & III) Menahem Golan & Yoram Globus (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) Jon Peters (Superman Returns)
Music by	John Williams (Superman, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut) Ken Thorne (Superman II & III) Alexander Courage ( Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) John Ottman ( Superman Returns)
Cinematography	Geoffrey Unsworth (Superman, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut) Robert Paynter (Superman II, III) Ernest Day (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) Newton Thomas Sigel (Superman Returns)
Editing by	Stuart Baird (Superman) John Victor-Smith (Superman II, III) John Shirley (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) John Ottman (Superman Returns)
Distributed by	Warner Bros. (Superman, II, III, Returns) Cannon Films (in association with Warner Bros.) (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace)
Release date(s)	1978-2006
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	(Superman: $55,000,000) (Superman II: 54,000,000) (Superman III: 30,000,000) (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace: 17,000,000 estimated) (Superman Returns: 204,000,000)

The Superman film series consists of five superhero films (not counting Supergirl) based on the fictional DC comics character of the same name. The series was conceived in 1973 under producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind. Between these and other producers, five films were made as of 2006. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Ultimate Superman Collection (also known as The Superman Ultimate Collectors Edition and Superman: The Ultimate Collection) is a 14-disc DVD box set of Superman films (13 Disc box set outside of the US), released on November 28, 2006 by Warner Home Video. ... Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1930) is an American film director and also producer through the production company, The Donners Company, he and his wife, producer Lauren Shuler-Donner, own. ... Richard Lester (born January 19, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a UK based film director famous for his work with The Beatles. ... The career of Canadian filmmaker Sidney J. Furie, born February 28, 1933, perfectly demonstrates how a reputation for workmanlike efficiency can keep a director regularly employed, despite a dearth of critical acclaim. ... Bryan Singer (born September 17, 1965) is an American film director. ... Alexander Salkind (June 2, 1921 – March 8, 1997) was the second of three generations of successful international film producers. ... Ilya Salkind (born Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez, July 27, 1947 in Mexico City) grew up in the world of motion pictures. ... Menahem Golan is an Israeli director/producer who is most famous (or infamous) for his association with Cannon films, a company he ran with his cousin Yoram Globus. ... Biography Yoram Globus is a film producer and financier who, along with his cousin, Menahem Golan (born Menahem Globus) bought the Cannon Group production company in 1979 and ran it throughout the 1980s. ... Jon Pagano Peters (born on 2 June 1945 in Van Nuys, California to Jack Peters and Helen Pagano) is a former hairdresser turned movie producer. ... For other persons named John Williams, see John Williams (disambiguation). ... This article belongs in one or more categories. ... Alexander Courage (born December 10, 1919) is a 20th century American composer of music, primarily for television and motion pictures. ... John Ottman (born July 6, 1964 in San Diego, California) is an American film editor, composer and director. ... Geoffrey Unsworth (1914-1978) was a British cinematographer who enjoyed a long and varied career in the British film industry, working on nearly 90 feature films spanning more than 40 years. ... Stuart Baird is a British film editor, producer, and director who is mainly associated with action films. ... John Patrick Shirley (born February 10, 1953) is an American science fiction and horror writer of novels, short stories, and television & film scripts. ... John Ottman (born July 6, 1964 in San Diego, California) is an American film editor, composer and director. ... “WB” redirects here. ... Golan-Globus produced a distinct line of low-budget action films from 1979 to 1989. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ... A film series is a collection of related films in succession. ... Here are some examples of movies that are based on comic book characters: Spider-Man 5/3/02 Spider-Man 2 6/30/04 Batman WB 6/23/89 Men in Black 7/2/97 X2: X-Men United 5/2/03 Men in Black II 7/3/02 Batman... Supergirl is a 1984 superhero film. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ... Alexander Salkind (June 2, 1921 – March 8, 1997) was the second of three generations of successful international film producers. ... Ilya Salkind (born Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez, July 27, 1947 in Mexico City) grew up in the world of motion pictures. ...

The original four Man of Steel films starred Christopher Reeve in the title role. Distributor Warner Bros. picked up production rights in 1993, and a series of unsuccessful attempts to either film The Death of Superman story or reboot the series followed. For 19 years, the series was stuck in development hell, with Warner Bros. constantly looking for new ideas, producers, and directors. Tim Burton, who directed Batman and Batman Returns, and Nicolas Cage were once attached to the series for production of Superman Lives, a cancelled film that created many rumours and tension for the studio. After Superman Lives was cancelled and several unsuccessful attempts were pitched, Bryan Singer directed Superman Returns in 2006, a semi-sequel to the first two Reeve films. Christopher DOlier Reeve[1] (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. ... “WB” redirects here. ... The Death of Superman is a comic book storyline (culminating in Superman #75 in 1993) that served as the catalyst for DC Comics crossover event of 1993. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Development hell is media-industry jargon for a film, television screenplay, or computer program[1] (or sometimes just a concept or idea) getting stuck in development and never going into production. ... “WB” redirects here. ... Timothy Tim William Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated American film director, writer and designer notable for the quirky and often dark atmosphere in his high-profile films. ... Batman is a 1989 Academy Award-winning superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. ... For the video game based on the film, see Batman Returns (video game). ... Nicolas Cage (born January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and an exemplar of method acting. ... Bryan Singer (born September 17, 1965) is an American film director. ... For the video game of the same name, see Superman Returns (video game). ...

Reeve series

Superman (1978)

Main article: Superman (film)

Christopher Reeve as Superman.

In 1973, producer Ilya Salkind convinced his father Alexander to buy the rights to Superman. They hired Mario Puzo to pen a two-film script, and negotiated with Steven Spielberg to direct, though Alexander Salkind rejected him as Jaws went over budget.^[1] Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman signed on to play Jor-El and Lex Luthor respectively, and Guy Hamilton was hired to direct. However, Brando was faced with an obscenity lawsuit in Italy over Last Tango in Paris, so they couldn't shoot there, but Hamilton was unable to shoot in England as he had been violating his tax payments. The Salkinds chose their star over their director, and Richard Donner was hired. Donner hired Tom Mankiewicz to polish the script, giving it a serious feel with Christ-like overtones.^[2] For the series of films, see Superman (film series). ... superman movie image, think is ok by fair use File links The following pages link to this file: Superhero ... superman movie image, think is ok by fair use File links The following pages link to this file: Superhero ... Christopher DOlier Reeve[1] (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. ... Ilya Salkind (born Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez, July 27, 1947 in Mexico City) grew up in the world of motion pictures. ... Alexander Salkind (June 2, 1921 – March 8, 1997) was the second of three generations of successful international film producers. ... Mario Gianluigi Puzo (October 15, 1920 – July 2, 1999) was an American author known for his novels about the Mafia, especially The Godfather (1969). ... Steven Allan Spielberg KBE (born December 18, 1946)[1] is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. ... Jaws is a 1975 thriller/horror film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on Peter Benchleys best-selling novel inspired by the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916. ... Marlon Brando, Jr. ... Eugene Allen Gene Hackman[1] (born January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Jor-El is a fictional character. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... Guy Hamilton (born September 11, 1922 [1]) is a noted English film director. ... The Last Tango in Paris (Italian: LUltimo Tango a Parigi, French: Le Dernier Tango à Paris) is a 1972 film which tells the story of an American widower who is drawn into a sexual relationship with a young, soon-to-be-married Parisian woman. ... Richard Donner (born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on April 24, 1930) is an American film director and also producer through the production company, The Donners Company, he and his wife, producer Lauren Shuler-Donner, own. ... Tom Mankiewicz is an American screenwriter and director. ... Icon of Christ in a Greek Orthodox church This page is about the title, office or what is known in Christian theology as the Divine Person. ...

Christopher Reeve was cast as Superman, having initially failed to impress the Salkinds before bulking up.^[1] Brando meanwhile, despite spending less than two weeks on the shoot,^[1] and not even reading the script until then,^[2] earned $3.7 million up front, plus 11.75% of the gross profits from the film.^[1] The film was a success both critically and commercially, being released during the Christmas season of 1978; it did not have much competition, leading the producers to believe that this was one factor in the film's success.^[3] Christopher DOlier Reeve[1] (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ...

Superman II (1980)

Main articles: Superman II and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut

Shooting of the two films was marred by Donner's bad relationship with the Salkinds, with Richard Lester acting as mediator.^[2] With the film going over-budget, the filmmakers decided to temporarily cease production of II and move that film's climax into the first film.^[1][2] Despite Superman's success, Donner (whatever the case might have been) did not return to finish Superman II,^[2] and they replaced him with Lester, who gave the film a more tongue-in-cheek tone. They also cut Brando for financial reasons, while John Williams quit as composer as he turned his attention to other projects.^[1] Still, II was a financial and critical success, despite its main competition in 1981, Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark. Superman II is the 1980 sequel to the 1978 superhero film Superman. ... Richard Lester (born January 19, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a UK based film director famous for his work with The Beatles. ... For other persons named John Williams, see John Williams (disambiguation). ... Steven Allan Spielberg KBE (born December 18, 1946)[1] is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. ... This article is about the film. ...

Superman III (1983)

Main article: Superman III

For the third installment, Ilya Salkind wrote a treatment that expanded the scope to a cosmic scale, introducing the villains Brainiac and Mr. Mxyzptlk, as well as Supergirl.^[2] The original outline featured a bizarre father-daughter relationship between Brainiac and Supergirl, which led to an even more bizarre romance between Superman and Supergirl, as the two were cousins in the comics. [1] Warner Bros. rejected it, instead turning Superman III into a showcase for co-star Richard Pryor as computer wizard Gus Gorman, who under the manipulation of a millionaire magnate, creates a form of Kryptonite that turns the Man of Steel into an evil self. The re-tooled script^[2] parred Brainiac down into the film's evil "ultimate computer",^[1] and despite the film's success many fans were disappointed, in particular with Pryor's performance diluting the serious tone of the previous films, as well as controversy over the depiction of the evil Superman.^[2] Superman III (originally titled Superman vs. ... Brainiac is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillain created by Otto Binder. ... Mr. ... For other uses, see Supergirl (disambiguation). ... Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III (December 1, 1940 – December 10, 2005) was an American comedian, actor, and writer. ...

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

Main article: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

Cannon films picked up an option for a fourth Superman/Reeve film, with Reeve reprising the role due to his interest in the film's topic regarding nuclear weapons. However, Cannon decided to cut the budget of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace from $35 million to $17 million, and the poor special effects and heavy re-editing led to the film's poor reception.^[4] Warner Bros. decided to give the franchise a break following the mixed reception of the last two Superman films.^[2] Superman IV: The Quest For Peace is a 1987 film, the last of the Superman theatrical movies. ... Golan-Globus produced a distinct line of low-budget action films from 1979 to 1989. ...

Failed projects

Superman V

After the failure of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Cannon Films considered producing a fifth film with Albert Pyun as director. Financial troubles resulted in the film rights reverting back to Ilya and Alexander Salkind.^[5] After having produced Superboy, Ilya was inspired to produce another Superman film. Salkind wrote the story for Superman V (also known as Superman: The New Movie) with Superboy writers Cary Bates and Mark Jones.^[6] Superman IV: The Quest For Peace is a 1987 film, the last of the Superman theatrical movies. ... Golan-Globus produced a distinct line of low-budget action films from 1979 to 1989. ... Albert Pyun (born 1954) is a Hawaiian film director best known for having made many low-budget B-movies and direct-to-video action films. ... Ilya Salkind (born Ilya Juan Salkind Dominguez, July 27, 1947 in Mexico City) grew up in the world of motion pictures. ... Alexander Salkind (June 2, 1921 – March 8, 1997) was the second of three generations of successful international film producers. ... Superboy is a half-hour live-action television series based on the fictional DC Comics character Superboy. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ... Cary Bates is a comic book and animation writer. ... Mark Jones (born January 17, 1953 in Los Angeles, California) is an American screenwriter, film director, television director, film producer, and television producer. ...

The story had Superman dying and resurrecting in the shrunken, bottled Kryptonian city of Kandor. The premise of Superman's death and rebirth coincidentally predated The Death of Superman. Salkind, Bates and Jones developed two drafts of the script, with Christopher Reeve set to reprise the leading role.^[6][7] For other uses, see Krypton (disambiguation). ... Superman and the modern Kandor. ... The Death of Superman is a comic book storyline (culminating in Superman #75 in 1993) that served as the catalyst for DC Comics crossover event of 1993. ... Christopher DOlier Reeve[1] (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was an American actor, director, producer, and writer. ...

Superman Reborn

The coverpage to the Superman Reborn screenplay.

Upon viewing the success of The Death of Superman, Warner Bros. decided to purchase the film rights of Superman from Alexander Salkind in early 1993, handing the project to Jon Peters. In return, Peters hired fellow friend Jonathan Lemkin to write the script. Lemkin cited the project as a commercial film, claiming he was primarily advised to perform the script in a style for the new teenage generation of the 1990s. In addition major toy companies insisted on seeing Lemkin's screenplay before the deadline of the American International Toy Fair.^[8] Lemkin cited inspirations from Star Wars and The Lion King.^[9] The Death of Superman is a comic book storyline (culminating in Superman #75 in 1993) that served as the catalyst for DC Comics crossover event of 1993. ... “WB” redirects here. ... Superman is a fictional character and comic book superhero , originally created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster and published by DC Comics. ... Alexander Salkind (June 2, 1921 – March 8, 1997) was the second of three generations of successful international film producers. ... Jon Pagano Peters (born on 2 June 1945 in Van Nuys, California to Jack Peters and Helen Pagano) is a former hairdresser turned movie producer. ... Jonathan Lemkin is an American screenwriter. ... Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. ... The American International Toy Fair (the trademarked name uses all capitals for TOY FAIR) is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. ... This movie poster for Star Wars depicts many of the films important elements, such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, X-Wing and Y-Wing fighters Star Wars, retitled Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in 1981 (see note at Title,) is the original (and in chronological... This article is about Disneys 1994 film. ...

Lemkin's script (titled Superman Reborn) featured Lois Lane and Clark Kent with relationship troubles that are only resolved after Superman's battle with Doomsday. When he professes his love to her, his life force jumps between them, just as he dies, impregnating Lois. She gives birth to a child who grows 21 years in three weeks, and is essentially, the resurrected Superman. Warner Bros. was overly disappointed with the script, feeling it contained underlying themes with Batman Forever (1995).^[10] For the Dutch girl group, see Loïs Lane. ... For other uses, see Clark Kent (disambiguation). ... Doomsday is a fictional character from a comic book in the DC Comics Universe, best known for its mutual fight to the death with Superman in the Death of Superman storyline published in 1993. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Batman Forever is a 1995 superhero film. ...

Peters brought in Gregory Poirier, his collaborator on Rosewood (1997),^[11] with his script (dated December 20, 1995) introducing Brainiac creating Doomsday, infused with Kryptonite blood. Superman tries to deal with being an alien in love with Lois Lane via psychiatric help. Once he falls dead by Doomsday, his corpse is stolen by an alien named Cadmus, a Brainiac victim. Superman is resurrected and teams with Cadmus to defeat Brainiac. Powerless, Superman wears a robotic suit that mimics his old powers until he can learn to use his powers again on his own (according to the script, they’re a mental discipline called "Phin-yar", very similar with The Force). Other villains included Parasite and Silver Banshee.^[5] Poirier's script had impressed the studio,^[10] but Kevin Smith was invited in their offices for rewrite work, turning down offers such as a remake for The Architects of Fear and Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian.^[12] One of the projects that caught Smith's eye was Superman Reborn, and he later convinced Warner Bros. to let him write the screenplay, thinking Poirier's draft didn't respect the Superman comic book properly.^[11] Gregory Poirier, who often goes just by Greg Poirier, is an American screenwriter, director, and producer. ... Rosewood is a 1997 film, starring Ving Rhames as a fictional character who travels to the town of Rosewood, Florida and becomes a witness to the 1923 massacre. ... Brainiac is a fictional character, a DC Comics supervillain created by Otto Binder. ... This article is about the fictional substance. ... Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that studies and treats mental and emotional disorders (see mental illness). ... “May The Force Be With You” redirects here. ... The Parasite is a fictional character and supervillain who appears in Superman stories published by DC Comics. ... Silver Banshee is a fictional character appearing in DC Comics, primarily as an opponent of Superman. ... This article is about the American screenwriter, film director, actor and comic book writer. ... The Architects of Fear is an episode of the original The Outer Limits television show. ... This article is about the film. ...

Superman Lives

Teaser poster that premiered at American International Toy Fair in 1997,^[5] designed by Sylvain Despretz^[13]

Kevin Smith pitched Jon Peters his story outline in August 1996, in which Peters gave him permission to write a screenplay. However, Peters did present Smith with three rules. Peters wanted Superman to wear an all-black suit,^[14] feeling the more traditional suit was "too faggy."^[5] He didn't want to see Superman fly whatsoever,^[14] citing that he would "look like an overgrown Boy Scout."^[5] In order to deal with this, Smith wrote Superman flying as "a red-and-blue blur in flight, creating a sonic boom every time he flew."^[15] In addition, Peters felt Superman should fight a giant spider in the third act. Nevertheless, Smith accepted the terms, realizing that he was not being hired for his vision, but to execute a pre-ordained idea.^[14] Peters and Warner Bros. forced Smith to write a scene involving Brainiac fighting polar bears at the Fortress of Solitude, and Peters wanted Brainiac to give Lex Luthor a space dog, stating "Chewie's cuddly, man. You could make a toy out of him, so you've got to give me a dog."^[12] Smith claims this was because of the recent re-release of the original Star Wars trilogy, saying that Peters wanted Brainiac's robot assistant L-Ron to be voiced by Dwight Ewell, calling him, "a gay R2-D2 with attitude."^[12] Peters was able to recycle his giant spider idea in Wild Wild West (1999), a film he produced.^[16] The American International Toy Fair (the trademarked name uses all capitals for TOY FAIR) is one of a few major toy industry trade shows held around the world. ... This article is about the American screenwriter, film director, actor and comic book writer. ... Jon Pagano Peters (born on 2 June 1945 in Van Nuys, California to Jack Peters and Helen Pagano) is a former hairdresser turned movie producer. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Since its coinage, the word homosexuality has acquired multiple meanings. ... This amusement ride moved during the exposure. ... For other uses, see Sonic boom (disambiguation). ... Precolumbian spider image from a conch shell gorget at the Great Mound at Spiro, Oklahoma. ... The Fortress of Solitude is the occasional headquarters of Superman in DC Comics. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... Chewbacca (or Chewie) is a character in the Star Wars universe. ... The cover of the 2004 DVD widescreen release of the revamped original Star Wars Trilogy. ... L-Ron is the name of a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. ... Dwight Ewell is an American actor. ... R2-D2 (called R2, or Artoo for short), is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. ... This article is about the 1999 film. ...

Smith's draft (titled Superman Lives) had Brainiac sending Doomsday to kill Superman, as well as blocking out the sun to make Superman powerless (Superman's energy is fueled by sunlight). Brainiac teams with Lex Luthor, but Superman is resurrected by a Kryptonian robot, The Eradicator. Rather than Superman’s lifeless body, Brainiac wishes to possess The Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in armor (The Eradicator becomes his protective suit) until his powers return, courtesy of some sunbeams and defeats Brainiac.^[15] Smith's casting choices included Ben Affleck as Clark Kent / Superman, Linda Fiorentino as Lois Lane, Jack Nicholson as Lex Luthor, Famke Janssen as Mercy, John Mahoney as Perry White, David Hyde Pierce as The Eradicator, Jason Lee as Brainiac and Jason Mewes as Jimmy Olsen.^[17] Doomsday is a fictional character from a comic book in the DC Comics Universe, best known for its mutual fight to the death with Superman in the Death of Superman storyline published in 1993. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... For the American cement businessman, see B. F. Affleck. ... Linda Fiorentino (born 9 March 1958) is an American actress. ... John Joseph Nicholson (born April 22, 1937), known as Jack Nicholson, is a three time Academy Award-winning American actor internationally renowned for his often dark-themed portrayals of neurotic characters. ... Famke Beumer Janssen (born November 5, 1965) is a Dutch actress and former fashion model. ... Mercy Graves from Superman: the Animated Series. ... This article is about the British actor. ... Perry White is a fictional character who appears in the Superman comics, and is the editor-in-chief of the Metropolis newspaper the Daily Planet. ... David Hyde Pierce (born April 3, 1959) is a Screen Actors Guild, Tony and Emmy Award-winning American actor, best known for his co-starring role as psychiatrist Dr. Niles Crane on the NBC sitcom Frasier alongside Kelsey Grammer. ... Jason Michael Lee (born April 25, 1970) is an American actor and professional skateboarder. ... Jason Edward Mewes (born June 12, 1974) is an American television and film actor known for playing foul-mouthed drug dealer Jay, the vocal half of Jay and Silent Bob from the films of Mewes longtime friend Kevin Smith. ... James Bartholomew Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character, a photojournalist that appears in DC Comics’ Superman stories. ...

Robert Rodriguez was offered the chance to direct, but turned down the offer due to his commitment on The Faculty (1998), despite liking Smith's script.^[18] Smith originally suggested Tim Burton to direct his script,^[12] and Burton signed on with a pay or play contract of $5 million^[19] and the studio set the theatrical release date in the summer of 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in Action Comics.^[20] Nicolas Cage, a comic book fan, signed on as Superman with a $20 million pay or play contract, feeling he could "re-conceive the character."^[21] Peters felt Cage could "convince audiences he [Superman] came from outer space."^[22] Burton stated it would be "the first time you would believe that nobody could recognize Clark Kent as Superman, he [Cage] could physically change his persona."^[23] Kevin Spacey was approached for the role of Lex Luthor,^[23] while Tim Allen claimed he was in talks for Brainiac^[24] (a role heavily considered for Jim Carrey).^[12] Courteney Cox was reported as a casting possibility for Lois Lane, while Smith confirmed Chris Rock was set for Jimmy Olsen.^[24] Michael Keaton confirmed his involvement, but when asked if he would be reprising his role as Batman (as he had done in Burton's Batman and Batman Returns), he would only reply, "Not exactly."^[25] Industrial Light & Magic was set for work on special effects.^[26] For the American composer born 1946, see Robert Xavier Rodriguez. ... The Faculty is a 1998 horror/science-fiction film, written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodríguez. ... Timothy Tim William Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated American film director, writer and designer notable for the quirky and often dark atmosphere in his high-profile films. ... A pay or play contract specifies that money will be paid to a person regardless of whether or not their services are used. ... Cover of Action Comics #1, which featured the debut of Superman. ... Nicolas Cage (born January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and an exemplar of method acting. ... Kevin Spacey (born July 26, 1959) is an Academy Award-winning American actor (film and stage) and director. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... Tim Allen (born June 13, 1953) is an American comedian, character actor, voice-over artist and entertainer perhaps best known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement and his roles in the Disney film series of The Santa Clause and Toy Story. ... James Eugene Carrey (born January 17, 1962) is a two-time Golden Globe Award-winning Canadian-American A-list film actor and comedian. ... Courteney Bass Cox Arquette (born June 15, 1964) is an American actress and former model, known for her role as Monica Geller in the popular television sitcom Friends. ... For the Dutch girl group, see Loïs Lane. ... Christopher Julius Rock III[5] (born February 7, 1965)[6][7] is an Emmy Award winning American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. ... Michael John Douglas (born September 5, 1951), better known by the stage name Michael Keaton, is an American actor, perhaps best known for his early comedic roles in films such as Night Shift, Beetlejuice, and his portrayal of Batman in the two Tim Burton directed films of the series. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... Batman is a 1989 Academy Award-winning superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name. ... For the video game based on the film, see Batman Returns (video game). ... Industrial Light & Magic original logo, designed by Drew Struzan Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is a motion picture visual effects company, founded in May 1975 by George Lucas and owned by Lucasfilm Ltd. ... Special effects (abbreviated SPFX or SFX) are used in the film, television, and entertainment industry to create effects that cannot be achieved by normal means, such as depicting travel to other star systems. ...

Design for the Superman suit by James Carson and Sylvain Despretz^[13]

It was announced in April 1997 that filming would begin early-1998.^[27] That June, Superman Lives entered pre-production,^[21] with an art department employed under production designer Rick Heinrichs.^[23] Burton decided to hire Wesley Strick to completely rewrite Smith's script. In return, Smith was overtly disappointed: "The studio was happy with what I was doing. Then Tim Burton got involved, and when he signed his pay-or-play deal, he turned around and said he wanted to do his version of Superman. So who is Warner Bros. going back to? The guy who made Clerks, or the guy who made them half a billion dollars on Batman?"^[28] When Strick read Smith's script, he was annoyed with the fact that "Superman was accompanied/shadowed by someone/something called The Eradicator."^[28] He also felt that "Brainiac's evil plot of launching a disk in space to block out the sun (and making Superman powerless) was reminiscent of an episode of The Simpsons, with Mr. Burns doing the Brainiac role."^[28] However, after reading The Death and Return of Superman, Strick claimed he understood some of the elements of Smith's script. Strick's rewrite featured Superman questioning his existence and abilities, thinking of himself to be an outsider on Earth. In his wake he's threatened by Brainiac and Lex Luthor, and the two amalgamate into "Lexiac," what Strick called "a schizo/scary mega-villain."^[29] Superman is later resurrected by the power of 'K', a natural force representing the spirit of Krypton, as Superman defeats Lexiac.^[29] Wesley Strick is an American screenwriter. ... This article is about the film. ... Who Shot Mr. ... Simpsons redirects here. ... Mr. ... The Death of Superman is a comic book storyline (culminating in Superman #75 in 1993) that served as the catalyst for DC Comics crossover event of 1993. ... Amalgamation is a now largely archaic term for the intermarriage and interbreeding of different ethncitities or races. In the English-speaking world, the term has been in use into the the twentieth century. ... For other uses, see Krypton (disambiguation). ...

Art designer Sylvain Despretz claimed the art department was assigned to create something that had little or nothing to do with the Superman comic book. Despretz also claimed that Peters "would bring kids in, who would rate the drawings on the wall as if they were evaluating the toy possibilities. It was basically a toy show!"^[13] Peters saw a cover of National Geographic, containing a picture of a skull, going to art department workers, telling them he wanted the design for Brainiac's space ship to have the same image. Burton gave Despretz a concept drawing for Brainiac, which Despretz claims was "a cone with a round ball on top, and something that looked like a emaciated skull inside. Imagine you take Merlin's hat, and you stick a fish bowl on top, with a skull in it."^[30] Concept artist Rolf Mohr claimed he designed a suit for The Eradicator for a supposed scene when he turns into a flying vehicle.^[31] At one point, Peters wanted to have the Eradicator to carry a certain "Eradicator Stick," claiming he had visions for images of posters and toys coming out contain the Stick.^[9] The National Geographic Society was founded in the USA on January 27, 1888, by 33 men interested in organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge. ... Merlin dictating his poems, as illustrated in a French book from the 13th century For other uses, see Merlin (disambiguation). ...

Burton chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as his primary filming location for Metropolis,^[30] while sound stages were reserved^[26] but start dates for filming were pushed back.^[19] A minor piece of the Krypton set was constructed but then destroyed, and Cage had even attended a costume fitting.^[32] The studio was considering changing the title Superman Lives back to Superman Reborn.^[33] The film's escalating budget (which went from $100 million to $190 million) forced Warner Bros. to ultimately put the film on hold in April 1998, and Burton left to direct Sleepy Hollow.^[19] At this point in production, $30 million was spent, with nothing to show for it.^[26] To this day, Burton has depicted the experience of Superman Lives as one of the worst experiences in his life, citing various differences with Peters and the studio, stating, "I basically wasted a year. A year is a long time to be working with somebody that you don't really want to be working with."^[34] Pittsburgh redirects here. ... Metropolis Skyline, as seen in Smallville. ... Soundstage redirects here. ... For the soundtrack featuring Danny Elfmans film score, see Sleepy Hollow (soundtrack). ...

Aftermath

Warner Bros. enlisted the aid of Dan Gilroy to rewrite Wesley Strick's script as a means to lower the $190 million budget, which he brought down to $100 million. However, Warner Bros. was still less willing to heavily move forward on production, due to financial reasons with other film properties,^[35] having Gilroy turn in two drafts.^[36] Disappointed by the lack of progress on the film's production, aspiring screenwriter/comic book fan Alex Ford was able to have a script of his (titled Superman: The Man of Steel) get accepted at the studio's offices in September 1998. Ford pitched his idea for a film series consisting of seven films, and his approach impressed Jon Peters and Warner Bros., though he was later given a farewell due to creative differences.^[5] On the experience, Ford quoted, "I can tell you they don't know much about comics. Their audience isn't you and me who pay $7.00. It's for the parents who spend $60 on toys and lunchboxes. It is a business, and what's more important, the $150 million at the box office or the $600 million in merchandising?"^[36] Dan Gilroy is an American screenwriter. ... Wesley Strick is an American screenwriter. ... “WB” redirects here. ... Jon Pagano Peters (born on 2 June 1945 in Van Nuys, California to Jack Peters and Helen Pagano) is a former hairdresser turned movie producer. ...

With the Gilroy script, Peters offered the director's position to Ralph Zondag,^[37] Michael Bay, Shekhar Kapur and Martin Campbell though they all turned down the offer.^[5] Brett Ratner turned down the option in favor of The Family Man.^[38] In addition, The Hollywood Reporter claimed Simon West and Stephen Norrington being top contenders.^[39] In June 1999, William Wisher Jr. was hired to write a new script, approaching Nicolas Cage on story elements.^[40] Cage dropped out of the project entirely in June 2000,^[41] while Wisher turned in a new script in August 2000, reported to have contained similar elements with The Matrix (1999).^[5] In October 2000, Comic book veteran Keith Giffen pitched a 17-page story treatment with Lobo as the main villain, but the studio did not proceed with further involvement.^[37] Oliver Stone was then approached to direct Wisher's script, but declined,^[5] while in April 2001, The Hollywood Reporter revealed Paul Attanasio was hired to completely start on a new script, earning a salary of $1.7 million.^[37] Michael Benjamin Bay (born February 17, 1965) is an American film director and producer. ... Shekhar Kapur, born 6 December 1945 is a renowned film director and producer from India. ... Martin Campbell (born October 24, 1944, Hastings) is a New Zealand film and television director. ... Brett Ratner (born March 28, 1969) is an American film director and music-video director. ... The Family Man is a 2000 Brett Ratner film starring Nicolas Cage (as Jack Campbell) and Téa Leoni, about a man who is given a glimpse at what could have been, if he had made a different decision 13 years ago. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Simon West (born 1961) is an English film director. ... First Movie: Death Machine, SF-Thriller GB 1994 later produced The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Blade ... William Wisher Jr. ... Nicolas Cage (born January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award-winning American actor and an exemplar of method acting. ... This article is about the 1999 film. ... Keith Ian Giffen (born November 30, 1952) is an American artist, writer, and penciller of comic books. ... This article is about the DC Comics character. ... William Oliver Stone (born September 15, 1946), known as Oliver Stone, is a three-time Academy Award winning film director and screenwriter. ... Paul Attanasio is an American screenwriter and producer of film and television, who is currently an executive producer on the television series House. ...

Batman vs. Superman

The Akiva Goldsman "Asylum" screenplay coverpage for Batman vs. Superman.

Although it was widely reported that McG had become attached to Paul Attanasio's script, In February 2002, J. J. Abrams was hired to write a new screenplay. It would ignore The Death of Superman storyline, and instead, would reboot the film series with an origin story,^[42] going under the title of Superman: Flyby.^[5] The project had gone as far as being greenlighted, but McG stepped out in favor of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle.^[43] The studio approached Wolfgang Petersen to direct Abrams' script,^[44] however, in August 2001,^[45] Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled Batman vs Superman, attaching Peterson as director. Abrams' script was put on hold,^[44] and for reasons unknown, Akiva Goldsman was hired to rewrite Walker's draft which was codenamed "Asylum".^[46] Akiva Goldsman (born July 7, 1962) is an American screenwriter, producer, and occasional actor in the motion picture industry. ... Joseph McG McGinty Nichol (born August 9, 1968) is an American film and television producer and director. ... Paul Attanasio is an American screenwriter and producer of film and television, who is currently an executive producer on the television series House. ... Jeffrey Abrams (also credited as J.J. Abrams) (born in 1966) is an Emmy Award-winning American film and television producer, writer, actor, composer and director. ... The Death of Superman is a comic book storyline (culminating in Superman #75 in 1993) that served as the catalyst for DC Comics crossover event of 1993. ... For other uses, see Reboot. ... Joseph McG McGinty Nichol (born August 9, 1968) is an American film and television producer and director. ... Wolfgang Petersen Wolfgang Petersen (born March 14, 1941 in Emden, Lower Saxony, Germany) is a German film director. ... Andrew Kevin Walker (born August 14, 1964) is an American BAFTA-nominated screenwriter. ... “WB” redirects here. ... Akiva Goldsman (born July 7, 1962) is an American screenwriter, producer, and occasional actor in the motion picture industry. ...

Goldsman's draft (dated June 21, 2002), had the premise of Bruce Wayne trying to shake all of the demons in his life after his five year retirement of crime fighting. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is down on his luck and in despair. Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner Gordon are all dead, as Clark just recently had a divorce with Lois Lane. Clark serves as Bruce's best man at his wedding to the beautiful and lovely Elizabeth Miller. After Elizabeth is killed by the Joker at the honeymoon, Bruce is forced to don the Batsuit once more, tangling a plot which involves Lex Luthor, while Clark sways a romance with Lana Lang in Smallville.^[47] For other uses, see Batman (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Clark Kent (disambiguation). ... This article is about the DC Comics hero and former sidekick of Batman. ... Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional supporting character in the DC Comics Batman series. ... There have been several notable figures, both real and fictional, named James Gordon. ... For the Dutch girl group, see Loïs Lane. ... Batmans current costume, as shown in the Hush story arc. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... Lana Lang is a supporting character in DC Comics Superman series. ... Smallville is the fictional hometown of Clark Kent. ...

Peterson had mentioned Matt Damon when stating what type of an actor he was looking for either of the two roles.^[48] Inspired by Tobey Maguire's performance in Spider-Man (2002), Peterson was searching for actors who "can really act and give complexity and emotions, but would have the fun of being a great superhero and maybe pump up a little bit." Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, James Franco, Jude Law and Paul Walker were reported to be Warner Bros.' choices as Batman and Superman.^[44] Christian Bale was approached to portray Batman, both in Batman vs Superman and Batman: Year One (but preferred Aronofsky's script for Year One),^[49] while Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman.^[43] Matthew Paige Matt Damon (born October 8, 1970) is an American screenwriter and actor. ... Tobias Vincent Maguire (born June 27, 1975) is an American actor. ... Spider-Man is a 2002 American superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. ... John Christopher Depp II[1] (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, best known for his frequent portrayals of offbeat and eccentric characters such as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and the titular character of Tim Burtons Edward Scissorhands. ... Colin James Farrell (born May 31, 1976) is an Irish actor who has appeared in several high-profile Hollywood films including Daredevil, Miami Vice, Minority Report, Phone Booth, Alexander, In Bruges. ... James Edward Franco (born April 19, 1978) is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, and artist. ... David Jude Law (born 29 December 1972) is an BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated British actor. ... Paul William Walker IV (born September 12, 1973) is an American actor and former fashion model. ... Christian Charles Philip Bale (also known professionally as Christian Morgan Bale; born 30 January 1974) is a Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated, Saturn Award-winning Welsh actor[2][3] whose film credits include Empire of the Sun, American Psycho, Equilibrium, The Machinist, Batman Begins and the upcoming The Dark Knight. ... Joshua Daniel Hartnett (born July 21, 1978) is an American actor. ...

Filming was to start in early 2003, with plans for a five to six month shoot. The release date was set for the summer of 2004.^[50] Batman vs Superman was to relaunch both the Batman and Superman franchises respectively, with both sequels being reboots.^[44] Within a month of the studio green lighting the project, Peterson left in favor of Troy (2004).^[51] Warner Bros. could have easily assigned a new director, but choose to cancel Batman vs Superman in favor of a recent script submitted by Abrams for Superman: Flyby.^[52] Peterson still has expressed interest in directing the project sometime in the future (with Bale as Batman),^[53] as has Bryan Singer.^[54] For other uses, see Reboot. ... Troy is a movie released on May 14, 2004 concerning the Trojan War. ... Bryan Singer (born September 17, 1965) is an American film director. ...

Superman: Flyby

The coverpage to J.J.Abram's Superman: Flyby screenplay.

Turning in his script in July 2002, J.J. Abrams' Superman: Flyby was an origin story that included Krypton besieged by civil war between Jor-El and his corrupt brother, Kata-Zor. Jor-El launches infant Kal-el to Earth, thinking he would fulfill a certain prophecy and Jor-El is sentenced to prison. Kal-El is adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, and later swings a romance with Lois Lane in college, and at the Daily Planet. However, Lois is more concerned with exposing Lex Luthor, written as a government agent obsessed with UFO phenomena. Clark reveals himself to the world as Superman, bringing Kata-Zor’s son, Ty-Zor, and three other Kryptonians to Earth. Superman is defeated and killed, and visits Jor-El (who committed suicide on Krypton while in prison) in Kryptonian heaven. He's resurrected and defeats the four Kryptonians, while the script ends with Superman off to Krypton, leaving a cliffhanger for a sequel.^[5] Jeffrey J. Abrams (usually credited as Jeffrey Abrams or J.J. Abrams) (born June 27, 1966) is an American film and television producer, writer, actor, composer and director. ... For other uses, see Krypton (disambiguation). ... Jor-El is a fictional character. ... Jonathan Kent, also known as Pa Kent, is a fictional character published by DC Comics. ... Martha Kent, née Martha Clark, also known as Ma Kent, is a fictional character published by DC Comics. ... For the Dutch girl group, see Loïs Lane. ... This article is about the fictional newspaper. ... Lex Luthor is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and the archenemy of the superhero Superman. ... UFO can mean: Unidentified flying object United Future Organization, a Japanese-Brazilian electronic jazz band UFO, the rock band that previously featured Michael Schenker UFO, the Gerry Anderson TV series United Farmers of Ontario, a political party that formed the government in Ontario from 1919 to 1923 U.F.O...

Brett Ratner signed to direct in September 2002, originally expressing an interest in casting an unknown for the lead role, while filming was to start sometime in late 2003.^[55] Ratner approached Josh Hartnett and Jude Law as Superman, but conceded that finding a famous actor for the title role had proven difficult because of contractual obligations to appear in sequels. "No star wants to sign that, but as much as I've told Jude and Josh my vision for the movie, I've warned them of the consequences of being Superman. They'll live this character for 10 years because I'm telling one story over three movies and plan to direct all three if the first is as successful as everyone suspects."^[56] Brett Ratner (born March 28, 1969) is an American film director and music-video director. ... Joshua Daniel Hartnett (born July 21, 1978) is an American actor. ... David Jude Law (born 29 December 1972) is an BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated British actor. ...

Although Superman: Flyby was being met with a budget excessing $200 million (not including money spent on Superman Reborn, Superman Lives and Batman vs. Superman), the studio was still adamant for a summer 2004 release date.^[43] Christopher Walken was in negotiations for Perry White, while Ratner expressed an interest in casting Anthony Hopkins as Lex Lut