The most unashamedly crazy Superman film ever concocted, Superman Lives, has lived in infamy among comic-book fans and geeks in general since the '90s. And, really with the involvement of personalities such as Kevin Smith, Tim Burton and Nicolas Cage, it was always going to end up being kind of an exercise in insanity.
Naturally, the film never made it off the ground, but its legend and long, convoluted history have endured for more than a decade, since it was still a real possibility.
Now, we're finally getting the chance to go behind the scenes and find out what exactly went on with Cage's grand, planned ode to Kal-El of Krypton with the release of the trailer for forthcoming documentary The Death Of Superman Lives: What Happened?
All you really need to know about Superman Lives going in are these three things:
- Nicolas Cage — a self-confessed Superman obsessive — was going to be the star (for a cool $20 million);
- Smith's script — which saw long-time (as-yet cinematically unused) villain Brainiac send Doomsday (same) to kill Superman, block out the sun and team up with Lex Luthor to fight Superman — was written with original casting choices in mind including Ben Affleck, Men In Black's Linda Fiorentino, Jack Nicholson, Famke Janssen, John Mahoney, David Hyde Pierce, Jason Lee and Jason Mewes;
- Everything went to hell from there.
The Death Of Superman Lives: What Happened? was brought to life through the magic of crowdfunding (though some final funds are still required), and features interviews with Smith and Burton (as well as several comics industry luminaries such as writer Grant Morrison), conducted by doco producer/director Jon Schnepp, as well as a look at concept art, early prop and costume designs, and other glimpses into what very easily could have become the Batman And Robin of Superman movies.
Well, if Superman IV hadn't got there first.
