Waiting for 'Superman': 7 Man of Steel Movies That Never Happened

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Dana

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If you live for 'Superman' news, last week was good to you. Everyone knows that 'Batman' mastermind Christopher Nolan is shepherding a big-screen reboot of the Man of Steel with writing partner David Goyer. But last Thursday, it was revealed that there's a short-list of directors that Nolan is considering, including Zack Snyder and Tony Scott. Then this past Monday, Darren Aronofsky's name was added to the list of possible directors. Furthermore, if Aronofsky gets the job, he is reportedly looking to get Natalie Portman as his Lois Lane. Then just Wednesday, it came out that Robert Zemeckis is also a candidate. UPDATE: Zack Snyder to Direct 'Superman'

But as exciting as all these 'Superman' possibilities may be, they're just the latest in a long list of "what if?" dream projects featuring interesting directors and off-beat casting choices. In fact, there are more never-made 'Superman' movies than there are actual 'Superman' movies.

Read on to discover 'Superman''s complicated big-screen history and learn about all the leading men who almost wore the red cape.

'SUPERMAN' (1974-78; pre-Richard Donner)
Starring ... Muhammad Ali?
Directed by ... Sam Peckinpah?

Casting for the classic 1978 'Superman' starring Christopher Reeve and directed by Richard Donner was not a simple process. The search took four years, and everyone and his brother was on the short list to play the Man of Steel.

Seventies superstars James Caan, Dustin Hoffman (who also turned down the part of Lex Luthor), Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen and Al Pacino were all considered. Paul Newman turned down the parts of Supes, his father and Luthor. Neil Diamond, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone all campaigned to get the job, but none of them was considered. Even Muhammad Ali was in the discussion! Amazingly, one man who actually got to audition for the part in 1976 was Olympic gold medal decathlon athlete (and future plastic surgery enthusiast) Bruce Jenner.

Finding a director was equally difficult. Sam Peckinpah was in the running to direct, until he produced a gun during a meeting with producers. George Lucas was courted, but he was too busy getting ready for 'The Empire Strikes Back.' The producers then disagreed over hiring Steven Spielberg, arguing that, in the pre-'Jaws' world, he wasn't a sure thing.
'SUPERMAN REBORN' (1994)
After burning out the Donner/Reeve series with sequel-itis, Warner Bros. and producer Jon Peters hoped to reboot the series in the 1990s to capitalize on the success of the 'Death of Superman' storyline that took the comic-book world by storm -- and also to reinvigorate the franchise's lucrative merchandise potential.

'Superman Reborn' went through several drafts, with the basic story of Superman dying at the hands of alien monster Doomsday, but not before passing on his reincarnated form to Lois Lane, who becomes pregnant via immaculate conception. The baby ages super-fast into an adult super-hero and saves the day.
'SUPERMAN LIVES' (1997)
Starring ... Ben Affleck?
Written by ... Kevin Smith?
Kevin Smith was brought on to rewrite the script but quickly found himself at odds with Peters, who reportedly made a few questionable demands: Superman should not wear the traditional red-and-blue costume; Superman should not fly; Superman should fight a giant spider at the end of the movie; and the villainous Braniac should be accompanied by a gay, sarcastic robot and a Chewbacca-like dog that could be marketed as a children's toy.

For his part, Smith envisioned Affleck as the Man of Steel; Jack Nicholson would play Lex Luthor and Linda Fiorentino would be Lois Lane. Braniac would be played by Jason Lee and Jimmy Olsen would be played by the foul-mouthed Jason "Jay" Mewes. Peters meanwhile felt that Sean Penn was the perfect choice because he had "the eyes of a killer" -- which totally describes Superman, right?


'SUPERMAN REBORN' (1998)
Starring ... Nicolas Cage?
Directed by ... Tim Burton?
Smith's script was thrown out when Tim Burton signed on to direct the film. Burton's vision of the film featured a black-suited Superman rising from the grave, thanks to a mysterious, ancient alien power known as "K" -- a power almost exactly like the Force.

Clark Kent's nemesis would be Lexiac -- a hybrid of Lex Luthor and the alien Braniac. Kevin Spacey was set to play Lex Luthor, while either Tim Allen or Jim Carrey were lined up for Braniac. Cameron Diaz was rumored for the part of Lois Lane, with Chris Rock signed to play Jimmy Olsen. Over the years, rumors have persisted that Hulk Hogan would have served as the monstrous figure of Doomsday, and Michael Keaton would have made a cameo as Bruce Wayne.

After constant arguments with producer Jon Peters, Burton left the project and the cast fell apart. Amount spent on pre-production: $30 million. Amount of footage shot: none.


read them all http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/10/04/superman-movies-that-never-happened/?ncid=webmail
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Alot of these storylines are friggen stupid and these people should be shit for potentially ruining the franchise.
 
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darkangel

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Well then you should should know that Christopher Reeve was the best Superman. The part was practically made for him and there just is no substitute. Once you've seen him play Superman anyone else playing him is just not the same. It would be like trying to replace John Wayne as The Duke. After John Wayne passed away there was no way that any other actor could portray the role like he did. Same goes for Christopher Reeve and Superman. Any other actor no matter how good he is/was could ever match up the Reeves portrayal of The Man of Steel. They might be old movies but they are the Classics and that's something that any new Superman will never achieve. I highly doubt that any of the Superman movies will become anywhere as Classic as the ones with Reeve did. To me he was the best Superman and will always remain the Best.
 
dkwrtw

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yup, it's just like the New "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie, Robert Englund is a Horror icon, anyone else playing Freddy is just NOT RIGHT, some characters were just meant to be played by one man and one man only, and no other actor regardless of how good they are can ever live up. I know this has nothing to do with Superman but I just want to add that what those piece of shit Coen Brothers are doing to "True Grit" is just fucking tragic and disgusting.
 
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I agree...Christopher Reeve was sexy and funny as Superman...

Who remembers the original from the black and white era starring George Reeves?
I remember when he died....the rumour was he tried to fly out of a window.
 
darkangel

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cam elle toe said:
Who remembers the original from the black and white era starring George Reeves?
I remember when he died....the rumour was he tried to fly out of a window.
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I remember George Reeves in the black and white tights!!! And the rumor that went along with him. Black and white movies are Classics and once you've seen them there's no forgetting! Just like Abbot and Costello shorts and movies. They were the best Classics...All of them!!!!
 
dkwrtw

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darkangel said:
I remember George Reeves in the black and white tights!!! And the rumor that went along with him. Black and white movies are Classics and once you've seen them there's no forgetting! Just like Abbot and Costello shorts and movies. They were the best Classics...All of them!!!!
Click to expand...

I remember seeing re-runs of the really old black and white superman when I was a kid, lol did he really try to fly out a window?
 
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dkwrtw said:
I remember seeing re-runs of the really old black and white superman when I was a kid, lol did he really try to fly out a window?
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No, I highly doubt that but people were so into him as his character that it was a seriously good rumor!
 
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darkangel said:
I remember George Reeves in the black and white tights!!! And the rumor that went along with him. Black and white movies are Classics and once you've seen them there's no forgetting! Just like Abbot and Costello shorts and movies. They were the best Classics...All of them!!!!
Click to expand...

dkwrtw said:
I remember seeing re-runs of the really old black and white superman when I was a kid, lol did he really try to fly out a window?
Click to expand...


I actually just googled it...he was shot...it was ruled suicide but there are discrepancies....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Reeves

I think us kids at the time liked the idea of him thinking he WAS actually Superman better....
 
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