If you’ve been around for a while, then you surely remember the time that separated 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace from 2006’s Superman Returns. Long story short, Hollywood burned through many scripts when trying to resurrect the Man of Steel for the big screen, with none of them coming to fruition. There was one that came dangerously close to doing so, though.
We are, of course, talking about Superman Lives. Set to have been directed by Tim Burton, it would’ve starred Nicolas Cage as Big Blue and was all but ready to begin filming before the plug was pulled by Warner Bros. Now, we could probably discuss this all day, but for the most comprehensive source out there, it’s best you consult the documentary that chronicled the ill-fated flick, as it really is a fascinating watch.
Anyways, while recently speaking with Variety at the Sundance Film Festival this week, Cage was asked about the doomed project and if he still has any hopes of playing Superman, given that the Man of Steel is his favorite character. Unfortunately – or maybe fortunately? – Cage has now let go of that dream, saying “No, not at all” in regards to if he could still see himself suiting up as the Big Blue Boy Scout one day.
Though he didn’t get to shoot any material for Superman Lives, the actor did attend several costume fittings. And though we’ve no idea how Cage would have fared in the role, his casting has become the stuff of movie legend ever since. As has the project itself, in fact.
With further casting including Sandra Bullock as Lois Lane, Chris Rock as Jimmy Olsen, and potentially Jim Carrey as Brainiac, things got quite far, as locations were scouted, Super-suits were made and props were created. Once the studio saw the price tag, however, the plug was pulled.
Many still wonder what a Nicolas Cage-led Superman movie would have been like, ourselves included, but it’s probably for the best that this film never took flight. It sounded truly bizarre and probably would have tarnished the Man of Steel’s reputation even more than The Quest for Peace did. That’s just our opinion, though.
What do you think? Do you wish Superman Lives had come to fruition? Head on down to the comments section and share your thoughts.