Thanks to the monumental achievements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Batman trilogy, and James Gunn’s visionary take on Superman, audiences find themselves in a renaissance of superhero cinema. With the new DCU underway, the opportunity to explore a more varied array of projects has never been more promising. Among the highly anticipated titles like Swamp Thing and Batman: The Brave and the Bold, an iconic, albeit abandoned, project presents an enticing candidate for animation.
DC Comics has consistently served as a wellspring of bizarre, imaginative, and captivating tales within pop culture, though not every initiative reaches production. One particularly strange case of a film that never saw the light of day is the ambitious Superman project, which has left fans intrigued for decades. With Gunn indicating a willingness to expand the DC narrative universe, reanimating Tim Burton’s long-forgotten project could serve as an exceptional nod to fans.
In the late 1990s, Kevin Smith was invited to pitch his vision for a Superman film after impressing studio executives with his critique of their initial draft. Smith’s first step was a meeting with the unconventional producer John Peters, who supposedly outlined three key demands for the new script: Superman would not be able to fly, he wouldn’t wear his iconic suit, and a giant spider must feature in the plot.
While Peters contests some of these requests, he confirms the giant spider stipulation. Following creative clashes, Smith delivered his script, which reportedly garnered approval from the studio. However, upon Tim Burton’s appointment as director, he brought in his own writing team, leading to a radical overhaul of Smith’s concept.
With Burton at the helm, screenwriter Wesley Strick was tasked with creating a new rendition of the screenplay, which retained minor elements from Smith’s narrative. Strick’s version depicted Superman weakened after a confrontation with Brainiac and placed in a therapeutic suit following his near-death experience. It also introduced an alliance between Brainiac and Lex Luthor, culminating in their merger to form the character Lexiac—an idea that later influenced the popular animated series Justice League Unlimited.
The exquisite talents of comic book professionals involved in this project, including artist Liam Sharp, suggested an extraordinary homage to the comic book medium was on the horizon. Enthusiastic Superman advocate Nicolas Cage was cast as the titular hero, while Christopher Walken was rumored for the role of Brainiac.
Unfortunately, the late ’90s marked a financial downturn for Warner Bros., plagued by several box office failures. Following the dismal performance of Batman and Robin, which disappointed fans and critics alike, the studio chose to pause superhero productions. Given the projected high budget for Burton’s Superman film, it is understandable that the studio decided to hold off, resulting in a seven-year hiatus before another live-action DC entry graced the screen. However, as the superhero genre regained traction, the current landscape presents a ripe opportunity for innovative and niche storytelling.
Major studios have learned valuable lessons regarding the viability of standalone films outside the main cinematic universe. In light of this, financing a full production based on an obscure 1990s project like Superman Lives would pose a considerable risk. Nevertheless, adapting existing scripts into high-quality animated features could emerge as a winning formula, appealing to fans keen on Cage’s past involvement or the canceled film’s legacy.
While an animated adaptation may lead to the absence of Cage’s bespoke costume as originally envisioned, the fantastical and whimsically macabre aesthetics of the ’90s concept art could lend themselves well to animation. If Burton were involved and Cage were to lend his voice to the role, it would undoubtedly become a must-see film.
DC’s animation division has produced a range of celebrated Elseworlds-style films, including Gods and Monsters and Mark Millar’s adaptation of Superman: Red Son. Fans have lauded these releases, with notable acclaim for titles such as Justice League: New Frontier, The Dark Knight Returns, and Watchmen. In fact, many of DC’s top-selling comics over the years have stemmed from standalone narratives.
As DC continues to produce comic tie-ins inspired by films, like Superman ’78 and Batman ’89, the studio has shown a commitment to reviving cinematic ideas in print. The possibility that animation might be the premier medium for superhero storytelling resonates with many enthusiasts, suggesting it could serve as the ideal vessel for bringing this unique project to fruition.
Jon Schnepp’s 2015 documentary, The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?, reignited interest in the unrealized film, transforming it from mere whispers among comic aficionados into a widely recognized subject. Ahead of its release, the idea of Cage portraying Superman battling a giant spider seemed almost fantastical, as if conjured from an internet forum. The documentary’s success caught the attention of a broader audience, revealing intriguing details that captivated many fans eager to learn more. In 2023, Andy Muschietti alluded to elements of the project within his film’s multiverse sequence.
Following Muschietti’s release, interest in the concept of Cage as Superman surged, with many fans expressing a desire for further exploration. Given Cage’s past disappointment with how his character’s vision was realized, he could very well be open to voicing the hero, similar to his role as Spider-Man Noir in Across the Spider-Verse. Cage’s long-standing appreciation for Superman, highlighted by his ownership of a copy of Action Comics #1 and naming his son Kal-El, suggests he might be willing to revisit the role.
James Gunn has demonstrated a commitment to serious animated storytelling, with Creature Commandos being one of his initial projects in the new DCU. Historically, animated films have existed somewhat separately from the core DC movie universe, making them less accessible for fans. While it may be improbable for an animated Superman Lives to make its debut in theaters, it stands as a thrilling prospect for DC fans on HBO Max. Few unfinished projects have resonated with fans quite like the peculiar narrative of Burton’s unrealized film.
Gunn’s expressed enthusiasm for realizing more of DC’s legendary stories through animation marks a pivotal moment for the franchise. He stepped in just as projects like the three-part Crisis on Infinite Earths were making waves, with the rollout of Creature Commandos and the surging popularity of Harley Quinn indicating the industry is poised for more innovation. Under his leadership, fans can anticipate the company maximizing its potential in a competitive arena against Marvel. Given the MCU’s inception in 2008, Warner Bros. certainly has a considerable amount of ground to cover, and the relatively cost-effective nature of animation could facilitate the realization of projects like this.
Fans have traditionally believed that DC excels over Marvel in animated endeavors, exemplified by films like Mask of the Phantasm, often heralded as one of the finest examples within the genre. In an era when audiences are eager for a broader range of narratives and themes, DC’s extensive catalog of comics possesses limitless potential. With Cage experiencing a career renaissance and fans yearning for more Superman, the revival of Tim Burton’s Superman Lives has reached an opportune moment.
Based on reporting by CBR.com. Read the full story at CBR.com.