Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox film | name = Superman film series | image = Theultimatesupermancollection.jpg | caption = Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition | director = [[Richard Donner]]<br />[[Richard Lester]]<br />[[Sidney J. Furie]]<br />[[Bryan Singer]] | producer = | writer = | starring = | music = | cinematography = | editing = | distributor = [[Warner Bros.]] | released = 1978-2006 | runtime = | country = United States<br>United Kingdom | language = English | budget = | gross = [[#Box office performance|$857.11 million]] }} The '''''[[Superman]]'' [[film series]]''' consists of five [[superhero film]]s based on the [[DC Comics]] character of the same name. The films contain storylines such as Superman's [[origin story]], growing up in [[Smallville (comics)|Smallville]], fighting [[Kryptonian]] [[supervillain]]s and [[Lex Luthor]], romancing with [[Lois Lane]], and returning to Earth after a long visit to [[Krypton]]. [[Warner Bros.]] has served as main distributor of all films. [[Ilya Salkind|Ilya]] and [[Alexander Salkind]] and [[Pierre Spengler]] had purchased the Superman [[film right]]s in 1974. After numerous scripts, [[Richard Donner]] was hired to direct the film, filming ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]]'' (1978) and ''[[Superman II]]'' (1980) simultaneously. Donner had already shot 80% of ''Superman II'' before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. [[Richard Lester]] finished with ''II'' and returned for ''[[Superman III]]'' (1983). The Salkinds further produced the 1984 spin off ''[[Supergirl (film)|Supergirl]]'' before selling the rights to [[Cannon Films]], resulting in ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' (1987). With over 15 years of development for a fifth Superman film, ''[[Superman Returns]]'' was released in 2006, along with ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]''. ==Original series== ===''Superman'' (1978)=== {{Main|Superman (film)}} In 1973, producer [[Ilya Salkind]] convinced his father [[Alexander Salkind|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 (film)|Jaws]]'' went over budget.<ref name="one on one">{{cite news | author = Barry M. Freiman | title = One-on-One Interview with Producer Ilya Salkind | publisher = Superman Homepage | url = http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=interview-salkind | accessdate = 2007-05-18}}</ref> [[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]]'', and Hamilton was unable to shoot in England as he had violated his tax payments. The Salkinds hired [[Richard Donner]] to direct the film. Donner hired [[Tom Mankiewicz]] to polish the script, giving it a serious feel with [[Christ]]-like overtones.<ref name="believe">{{cite video | title = You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman | format = DVD | publisher = Warner Bros. |date = 2006}}</ref> [[Christopher Reeve]] was cast as Superman, having initially failed to impress the Salkinds before bulking up.<ref name="one on one"/> Brando meanwhile, despite spending less than two weeks on the shoot,<ref name="one on one"/> and not even reading the script until then,<ref name="believe"/> earned $3.7 million up front, plus 11.75% of the gross profits from the film.<ref name="one on one"/> 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.<ref>''Pierre Spangler, Look up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman.''</ref> ===''Superman II'' (1980)=== {{Main|Superman II|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.<ref name="believe"/> 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.<ref name="one on one"/><ref name="believe"/> Despite ''Superman'''s success, Donner did not return to finish ''Superman II'',<ref name="believe"/> and it was completed with Lester, who gave the film a more tongue-in-cheek tone. The Salkinds also cut Brando{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} for financial reasons, while [[John Williams]] quit as composer due to turning his attention to other projects.<ref name="one on one"/> ''Superman II'' was another financial and critical success, despite stiff competition with ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' in the same year. In 2006, after receiving many requests for his own version of ''Superman II'', [[Richard Donner]] and producer Michael Thau produced their own cut of the film and released it on November 28, 2006. The new version of the film received positive response from critics<ref name="rdc"/> and the stars of the original film. ===''Superman III'' (1983)=== {{Main|Superman III}} For the third installment, Ilya Salkind wrote a treatment that expanded the film's scope to a cosmic scale, introducing the villains [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]] and [[Mr. Mxyzptlk]], as well as [[Supergirl]].<ref name="believe"/> The original outline featured a father-daughter relationship between Brainiac and Supergirl, and a romance between Superman and Supergirl, even though the two were cousins in comic continuity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/superman3/general/script/s3_original_idea.pdf|format=PDF|title=STORY OUTLINE of SUPERMAN III|publisher=Supermancinema.co.uk|accessdate=2008-12-15}}</ref> Warner Bros. rejected it and created their own ''Superman III'' film that co-starred [[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 retooled script<ref name="believe"/> pared Brainiac down into the film's evil "ultimate computer".<ref name="one on one"/> Despite the film's success, fans were disappointed with the film, 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.<ref name="believe"/> ===''Supergirl'' (1984)=== {{Main|Supergirl (film)}} Upon gaining the rights for the film ''[[Superman]],'' [[Alexander Salkind]] and his son, [[Ilya Salkind]], also purchased the rights to the character of Superman's cousin [[Supergirl]]. ''Supergirl'' was released in 1984 as a [[Spin-off (media)|spin off]] of the Reeve films. It stars [[Helen Slater]] in her first [[film|motion picture]] in the title role. [[Faye Dunaway]] (who received top billing) played the primary villain, Selena. The movie also featured [[Marc McClure]] reprising his role as [[Jimmy Olsen]]. The movie performed poorly at the box office and failed to impress critics and audiences. [[Helen Slater]], however, was nominated for a [[The Saturn Awards|Saturn Award]] for her strong performance by the [[The Saturn Awards|Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films]]. The film does contain some expansions on the Superman movie mythology, such as taking the viewer into the [[Phantom Zone]] itself (in the first two ''Superman'' films, it was merely represented by a spinning black pane of glass). ===''Superman IV: The Quest for Peace'' (1987)=== {{Main|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, with poor special effects and heavy re-editing leading to the film's poor reception.<ref name="return">{{cite news | author = Adam Smith | title = All-American Hero | pages = 78–91 | publisher = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = 2006-05-26 | accessdate=2007-05-23}}</ref> Warner Bros. decided to give the franchise a break following the mixed reception of the last two Superman films.<ref name="believe"/> ==Proposals for fifth film== ===''Superman: The New Movie''=== 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 Salkind|Ilya]] and [[Alexander Salkind]].<ref name=White>{{cite news | author = Mike White | title = ''Superman'': Grounded | work = [[Cahiers du cinéma]] | date = | url = http://www.impossiblefunky.com/archives/issue_15/15_superman.asp?IshNum=15 | accessdate = 2008-02-03 }}</ref> Salkind wrote the story for ''Superman V'' (also known as ''Superman: The New Movie'') with ''Superboy'' writers [[Cary Bates]] and [[Mark Jones (screenwriter)|Mark Jones]] in the early-1990s.<ref name="one on one"/> The story had Superman dying and resurrecting in the shrunken, bottled [[Krypton]] 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.<ref name="one on one"/> ===''Superman Reborn''=== {{Quote box|width=40%|align=right|quote="In any good Superman movie, the fate of the whole planet should be at stake. You've got to have villains whose powers and abilities demand that Superman (and only Superman) can be the one who stops them. That's the only way to make the movie exciting and a dramatic challenge."|source=—Writer Jonathan Lemkin on writing ''Superman Reborn''<ref name=corporate/>}} Upon viewing the success of ''[[The Death of Superman]]'' comic storyline, Warner Bros. bought the film rights of Superman from the Salkinds in early 1993, handing the project to producer [[Jon Peters]]. The studio decided to not continue with the Salkind, Bates and Jones script for ''Superman: The New Movie''. Peters hired [[Jonathan Lemkin]] to write the script. Lemkin cited the project as both a [[mainstream]] and [[family film]], claiming he was primarily advised to perform the script in a style for the new teenage generation of the 1990s, and making it [[toyetic]]. Major toy companies insisted on seeing Lemkin's screenplay before the deadline of the [[American International Toy Fair]].<ref name=corporate>{{cite book | author = David Hughes | title = The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made | year = 2001 | publisher = [[Independent Publishers Group]] | pages = 172–186 | isbn = 1-55652-449-8}}</ref> 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 (comics)|Doomsday]]. When he professes his love to her, his life force jumps between them, just as he dies, giving Lois a [[virgin birth]]. Their child, who grows 21-years-old in three weeks, becomes the resurrected Superman, and saves the world. Warner Bros. did not like the script because of similar underlying [[theme (arts)|theme]]s with ''[[Batman Forever]]''.<ref name=forever>{{cite book | author = Ken Hanke | title = Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker | year = 1999 | publisher = [[Renaissance Books]] | pages = 213&mdash;8 | isbn = 1-58063-162-2}}</ref> Peters brought [[Gregory Poirier]], his collaborator on ''[[Rosewood (film)|Rosewood]]'', to rewrite the script.<ref name=corporate/> Poirer's December 1995 script had [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]] creating Doomsday, infused with "[[Kryptonite]] blood". Superman has romance problems with Lois Lane, and visits a [[psychiatrist]]. Superman is killed by Doomsday, and an alien named Cadmus, a victim of Brainiac, steals his corpse. 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, which, according to the script, are a mental discipline called "Phin-yar", a concept similar to [[The Force (Star Wars)|The Force]]. Other villains included [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]] and [[Silver Banshee]].<ref name=White/> Poirier's script impressed Warner Bros.,<ref name=forever/> but [[Kevin Smith]] was hired to rewrite.<ref name=Gross2>{{cite news | author = Edward Gross | title =''SUPERMAN LIVES'', Part 2: Writer Kevin Smith | work = Mania Movies | url = http://www.mania.com/21118.html | date = 2000-05-12 | accessdate = 2008-02-03}}</ref> Smith thought Poirier's script did not respect the Superman comic book properly.<ref name=corporate/> ===''Superman Lives''=== [[Image:Supeslives.gif|thumb|175px|right|Teaser poster that premiered at [[American International Toy Fair]] in 1997,<ref name=White/> designed by Sylvain Despretz<ref name=corporate/>]] [[Kevin Smith]] pitched to [[Jon Peters]] his story outline in August 1996, in which Peters gave him permission to write a screenplay. However, Peters presented Smith with three rules, such as wanting Superman to wear an all-black suit,<ref name=corporate/> feeling the more traditional suit was "too faggy"; not wanting to see Superman fly,<ref name=corporate/> saying that Superman would "look like an overgrown Boy Scout."<ref name=White/> (In order to deal with this, Smith wrote Superman flying as "a red-and-blue [[Motion blur|blur]] in flight, creating a [[sonic boom]] every time he flew."<ref name=boom!>{{cite news|author=[[Kevin Smith]]| title=Superman Lives Script|publisher= Script-O-Rama|date=1997-03-27|url= http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/superman-lives-script.html|accessdate=2008-02-03}}</ref>); and have Superman fight a [[Cultural depictions of spiders|giant spider]] in the third act. Smith accepted the terms, realizing that he was being hired to execute a pre-ordained idea.<ref name=corporate/> 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 "[[Chewbacca|Chewie]]'s cuddly, man. You could make a toy out of him, so you've got to give me a dog."<ref name=Gross2/> Smith claims this was because of the recent re-release of the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]], and claims that Peters wanted Brainiac's robot assistant [[L-Ron]] to be voiced by [[Dwight Ewell]], calling him, "a gay [[R2-D2]] with attitude."<ref name=Gross2/> Peters was able to recycle his giant spider idea in ''[[Wild Wild West]]'', a film he produced.<ref name=corporate/> Smith's draft (titled ''Superman Lives'') had Brainiac sending [[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]] to kill Superman, as well as blocking out the sun to make Superman powerless, as Superman is fueled by sunlight. Brainiac teams with [[Lex Luthor]], but Superman is resurrected by a Kryptonian robot, [[Eradicator (comics)|The Eradicator]]. Brainiac wishes to possess The Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in armor formed from The Eradicator itself until his powers return, courtesy of sunbeams, and defeats Brainiac.<ref name=boom!/> 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 Graves|Mercy]], [[John Mahoney]] as [[Perry White]], [[David Hyde Pierce]] as The Eradicator, [[Jason Lee (entertainer)|Jason Lee]] as Brainiac and [[Jason Mewes]] as [[Jimmy Olsen]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Kevin Smith's ''Superman Lives'' cast|publisher=Superman Homepage|date=1999-03-02|url= http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/1999-news/1999-news-movie.php?topic=1999-news-movie/0302 |accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> [[Robert Rodriguez]] was offered the chance to direct, but turned down the offer due to his commitment on ''[[The Faculty]]'', despite liking Smith's script.<ref name=corporate/> Smith originally suggested [[Tim Burton]] to direct his script,<ref name=Gross2/> and Burton signed on with a [[pay or play contract]] of $5 million and the studio set the theatrical release date in the summer of 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in ''[[Action Comics]]''.<ref name=forever/> [[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."<ref name=corporate/> Peters felt Cage could "convince audiences he [Superman] came from outer space."<ref>{{cite book|author=Nancy Griffin, Kim Masters|title=Hit & Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony]] For A Ride In Hollywood|year=1997|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=463|isbn=0-684-80931-1}}</ref> 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."<ref name=effort>{{cite book|author=Mark Salisbury, [[Tim Burton]]|title=Burton on Burton: Revised Edition|year=2006|publisher=[[Faber and Faber]]|pages=154|isbn=0-571-22926-3}}</ref> [[Kevin Spacey]] was approached for the role of [[Lex Luthor]],<ref name=effort/> while [[Tim Allen]] claimed he was in talks for Brainiac<ref name=bigpicture>{{cite news|author=Cindy Pearlman|title=Big Picture: ''Superman Lives''|publisher= [[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=1997-12-02|url=|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> (a role heavily considered for [[Jim Carrey]]).<ref name=Gross2/> [[Courteney Cox]] was reported as a casting possibility for [[Lois Lane]], while Smith confirmed [[Chris Rock]] was set for Jimmy Olsen.<ref name=bigpicture/> [[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 (1989 film)|Batman]]'' and ''[[Batman Returns]]''), he would only reply, ''"Not exactly."''<ref>{{cite news|title=Kevin Spacey and Courtney Cox in ''Superman Lives''?|publisher=Superman Homepage|date=1998-03-04|url= http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/1998-news/1998-news-movie.php?topic=1998-news-movie/0304| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> [[Industrial Light & Magic]] was set for work on [[special effects]].<ref name=corporate/> [[Image:Supermanlivesuit.jpg|thumb|175px|right|Design for the Superman suit by James Carson and Sylvain Despretz<ref name=corporate/>]] It was announced in April 1997 that filming would begin early-1998.<ref>{{cite news | author = Anita M. Busch | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117434174 | title = Helmer Gilliam readies 'Defective,' 'Loathing' | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 1997-04-22 | accessdate = 2008-04-06}}</ref> That June, ''Superman Lives'' entered pre-production,<ref name=corporate/> with an art department employed under production designer Rick Heinrichs.<ref name=effort/> 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''?"<ref name=corporate/> When Strick read Smith's script, he was annoyed with the fact that ''"Superman was accompanied/shadowed by someone/something called The Eradicator."''<ref name=corporate/> He also felt that ''"Brainiac's evil plot of launching a disk in space to block out the sun and make Superman powerless was reminiscent of [[Who Shot Mr. Burns?|an episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', with [[Mr. Burns]] doing the Brainiac role."''<ref name=corporate/> However, after reading ''[[The Death of Superman|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. Superman is threatened by Brainiac and Lex Luthor, who later [[Amalgamation (history)|amalgamate]] into "Lexiac," described by Strick as ''"a schizo/scary mega-villain."''<ref name=corporate/> Superman is later resurrected by the power of 'K,' a natural force representing the spirit of [[Krypton]], as Superman defeats Lexiac.<ref name=corporate/> 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!"<ref name=corporate/> 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."<ref name=corporate/> Concept artist Rolf Mohr said in an interview he designed a suit for The Eradicator for a planned scene in which it transforms into a flying vehicle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rolf Mohr Talks ''Superman Lives''|publisher=Superman Homepage|date=2003-08-29|url= http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/2003-news/2003-news-movie.php?topic=2003-news-movie/0829i| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> {{Quote box|width=40%|align=left|quote=''"We got the Kevin Smith script, but we were told not to read it, because they knew he wasn't going to stay on the movie. So we used Kevin Smith's script as a guide to the sets we might be doing, and we waited and waited for the new script to come in, but it never did."''|source=—Art designer Sylvain Despretz on designing ''Superman Lives''<ref name=corporate/>}} Burton chose [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] as his primary filming location for [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]],<ref name=corporate/> while [[sound stage]]s were reserved<ref name=corporate/> but start dates for filming were pushed back.<ref name=forever/> A minor piece of the Krypton set was constructed but then destroyed, and Cage had even attended a costume fitting.<ref>{{cite news|title= Sylvian Despretz Talks ''Superman Lives''|publisher=Superman Homepage|date=2003-07-09|url= http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/2003-news/2003-news-movie.php?topic=2003-news-movie/0709i| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> Deeming [[Wesley Strick]]'s script too expensive, [[Warner Bros.]] enlisted the help of [[Dan Gilroy]] to rewrite it into something more economically feasible. Gilroy lowered the $190 million budget set by Strick's draft to $100 million. However, the studio was still less willing to heavily move forward on production, due to financial reasons with other film properties,<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Fleming|title=Dan Gilroy's Superman Script|publisher= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=1998-10-06|pages=88–9|accessdate= 2008-02-03}}</ref> having Gilroy turn in two drafts.<ref name=Gross3>{{cite news|author=Edward Gross|title=''SUPERMAN LIVES'', Part 3: Nicolas Cage|publisher=Mania Movies|url=http://www.mania.com/21288.html|date=2000-05-19| accessdate=2008-02-03}}</ref> Ultimately, Warner Bros. chose to put the film on hold in April 1998, and Burton left to direct ''[[Sleepy Hollow (film)|Sleepy Hollow]]''.<ref name=forever/> At this point in production, $30 million was spent, with nothing to show for it.<ref name=corporate/> 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."''<ref>{{cite book|author=Paul A. Woods|title=Tim Burton: A Child's Garden of Nightmares|year=2007|publisher= Plexus Publishing|pages=150|isbn=085965401}}</ref> ===Aftermath=== 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.<ref name=White/> 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?"<ref name=Gross3/> With Gilroy's script, Peters offered the director's position to [[Ralph Zondag]],<ref name=corporate/> [[Michael Bay]], [[Shekhar Kapur]] and [[Martin Campbell]] though they all turned down the offer.<ref name=White/> [[Brett Ratner]] turned down the option in favor of ''[[The Family Man]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title= Movie Preview Dec. 15|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=2000-08-11|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,87408,00.html|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> In addition, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' claimed [[Simon West]] and [[Stephen Norrington]] being top contenders.<ref>{{cite news| title=More Directing Choices for ''Superman'' Movie|publisher=Superman Homepage|date=1999-02-08|url= http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/1999-news/1999-news-movie.php?topic=1999-news-movie/0208| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> In June 1999, [[William Wisher Jr.]] was hired to write a new script, approaching [[Nicolas Cage]] on story elements.<ref>{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117503619 | title = WB puts ''Superman'' into the Wisher well | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 1999-06-30 | accessdate = 2008-04-06}}</ref> Cage dropped out of the project entirely in June 2000,<ref>{{cite news|author=Lew Irwin| title=Nic Cage Gives Kryptonite To ''Superman Lives'' Movie| publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|date= 2000-06-12|url= http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2000-06-12#celeb1|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> while Wisher turned in a new script in August 2000, reported to have contained similar elements with ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name=White/> In October 2000, Comic book veteran [[Keith Giffen]] pitched a 17-page story treatment with [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]] as the main villain, but the studio did not proceed with further involvement.<ref name=corporate/> [[Oliver Stone]] was then approached to direct Wisher's script, but declined,<ref name=White/> 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.<ref name=corporate/> Around this time, Jon Peters offered [[Will Smith]] the role of Superman, but Smith turned it down over ethnicity concerns.<ref>{{cite news | author = Larry Carroll | url = http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1590297/story.jhtml | title = Will Smith Explains Why Nihilistic, Self-Destructive Hancock Suits Him Far Better Than Superman | work = [[MTV News]] | date = 2008-07-02 | accessdate = 2009-01-20}}</ref> ===''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, it would [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] the film series with an origin story,<ref name=reboot>{{cite book|author=David Hughes|title=Comic Book Movies|id= ISBN 0-7535-0767-6|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|pages=21–2|year=2003}}</ref> going under the title of ''Superman: Flyby''.<ref name=White/> The project had gone as far as being greenlit, but [[McG]] stepped out in favor of ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]''.<ref name=Stallville>{{cite news|author= Daniel Fierman; Nancy Miller; Brian M. Raftery|title=Stallville?|publisher= [[Entertainment Weekly]]|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,432553~1~0~itsburdenitspain--its,00.html|date=2003-03-14| accessdate=2008-02-08}}</ref> The studio approached [[Wolfgang Petersen]] to direct Abrams' script;<ref name=Dynamic>{{cite news|author=Brian M. Raftery; Nancy Miller|title=Dynamic Duel| publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,321972~1~0~holyfranchiseinsidebatman,00.html|date=2002-07-09| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> however, in August 2001,<ref>{{cite news|author=Brian Linder| title=More ''Batman'', ''Superman'' Insanity at WB|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=2001-08-09|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/302/302177p1.html|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> [[Andrew Kevin Walker]] pitched [[Warner Bros.]] an idea titled ''Batman vs. Superman'', attaching Peterson as director. Abrams' script was put on hold,<ref name=Dynamic/> and for reasons unknown, [[Akiva Goldsman]] was hired to rewrite Walker's draft which was codenamed ''"Asylum"''.<ref name=ass>{{cite book|author=David Hughes|title=Tales From Development Hell|id=ISBN 180239914|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|pages=205&mdash;8|year=2003}}</ref> 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 and Clark has just recently divorced [[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 with a romance with [[Lana Lang]] in [[Smallville (DC Comics)|Smallville]].<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Akiva Goldsman]]|title=''Batman vs Superman'' 2nd Draft|publisher=Daily Scripts|url=http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/asylum.pdf|date=2002-06-21| accessdate=2007-10-11|format=PDF}}</ref> Peterson had mentioned [[Matt Damon]] when stating what type of an actor he was looking for either of the two roles.<ref name=ass/> Inspired by [[Tobey Maguire]]'s performance in ''[[Spider-Man (film)|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.<ref name=Dynamic/> [[Christian Bale]] was approached to portray Batman, both in ''Batman vs. Superman'' and ''Batman: Year One'' (but preferred Aronofsky's script for ''Year One''),<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title= ''Batman vs. Superman'' Shelved!|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/367/367576p1.html|date=2002-08-13|accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> while [[Josh Hartnett]] was offered the role of Superman.<ref name=Stallville/> 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.<ref>{{cite news|author= Brian Linder|title=''Batman vs. Superman'' in '04|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/364/364349p1.html|date= 2002-07-09| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> ''Batman vs. Superman'' was to relaunch both the ''Batman'' and ''Superman'' franchises respectively, with both sequels being [[Reboot (fiction)|reboots]].<ref name=Dynamic/> Within a month of the studio green lighting the project, Peterson left in favor of ''[[Troy (film)|Troy]]''.<ref name=ass/> Warner Bros. could have easily assigned a new director, but chose to cancel ''Batman vs. Superman'' in favor of a recent script submitted by Abrams for ''Superman: Flyby''.<ref name=ass/> Peterson still has expressed interest in directing the project sometime in the future (with Bale as Batman),<ref>{{cite news|author=A.C. Ferrante|title=Profile: Wolfgang Peterson Reinvents ''Troy'' for DVD With New Director's Cut| publisher=If Magazine|date=2007-09-18|url=http://ifmagazine.com/feature.asp?article=2370| accessdate=2008-02-04}}</ref> as has [[Bryan Singer]].<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Clint Morris]]|title=Singer considering ''Batman Vs.Superman''?|publisher=Moviehole|date=2006-07-07| url= http://www.moviehole.net/news/20060707_singer_considering_batman_vssu.html|accessdate= 2008-02-04}}</ref> In the opening scene of ''[[I Am Legend (film)|I Am Legend]]'', a large banner displays the Batman symbol within the Superman symbol in [[Times Square]]. It is meant as an [[in-joke]] by writer Akiva Goldsman, who wrote scripts for ''Batman vs. Superman'' and ''I Am Legend''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Larry Carroll |title='Batman Vs. Superman’ Coming In 2009, But Will We Live To See It?|publisher=MTV Movies Blog|date=2007-12-03| url= http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/12/03/batman-vs-superman-coming-in-2009-but-will-we-live-to-see-it/| accessdate= 2008-08-19}}</ref> ===''Superman: Flyby''=== Turning in his script in July 2002, [[J. J. Abrams]]' ''Superman: Flyby'' movie was an origin story that included [[Krypton (comics)|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 [[Ma and Pa Kent|Jonathan and Martha Kent]], and later forms a romance with [[Lois Lane]] in the ''[[Daily Planet]]''. However, Lois is more concerned with exposing [[Lex Luthor]], written as a government agent obsessed with [[Unidentified flying object|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.<ref name=White/> [[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.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Ratner Talks ''Superman''|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/371/371260p1.html|date=2002-09-17|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> 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."<ref name=Hartnett>{{cite news|author=Stax|title= Ratner, Bay Deny ''Superman'' Rumors|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384464p1.html|date =2003-01-31|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> Hartnett was offered $100 million for a three-picture deal, but turned down the offer.<ref name=Singer>{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming; Cathy Dunkley | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907948 | title = Supe's on with 'X' man | date = 2004-07-18 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | accessdate = 2008-11-06}}</ref> Although ''Superman: Flyby'' was being met with a budget exceeding $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.<ref name=Stallville/> [[Christopher Walken]] was in negotiations for [[Perry White]], while Ratner expressed an interest in casting [[Anthony Hopkins]] as Jor-El, and [[Ralph Fiennes]] as Lex Luthor (two of his cast members in ''[[Red Dragon (film)|Red Dragon]]'').<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Lex Lecter? Perry Walken? Jor-Ralph?|publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390016p1.html|date=2003-03-19|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite new|title=Brett Ratner Talks More on Superman|publisher=Superman Homepage |url=http://www.supermanhomepage.com/news/2002-news/2002-news-movie.php?topic=2002-news-movie/1021|date=2002-10-21|accessdate=2002-10-21}}</ref> [[Christopher Reeve]] was to be a project consultant, citing [[Tom Welling]], who portrayed the teenage [[Clark Kent]] in ''[[Smallville]]'' as an ideal candidate. Reeve added "the character is more important than the actor who plays him, because it is an enduring mythology. It definitely should be an unknown."<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Lara Lane?| publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384675p1.html|date=2003-02-03| accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> In addition [[Paul Walker]] was offered the role,<ref name=White/> while [[Ashton Kutcher]] screen tested<ref name=Hartnett/> and [[Brendan Fraser]] and [[Matthew Bomer]] auditioned.<ref name=Stallville/> Kutcher decided not to accept the role, citing scheduling conflicts with ''[[That '70s Show]]'' and the well noted [[Superman curse]] as well as [[typecasting]]. [[Jerry O'Connell]] expressed interest for the role,<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Kutcher Talks ''Superman''|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/389/389265p1.html|date=2003-03-13|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> while [[David Boreanaz]] auditioned, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with ''[[Angel (TV series)|Angel]]''. [[Victor Webster]] did an entire screentest that included wardrobe as both Clark Kent and Superman, while [[James Marsden]] met with director Brett Ratner.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Boreanaz, Webster Talk ''Superman''|publisher= [[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/387/387939p1.html|date=2003-03-04|accessdate= 2008-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite new|author=Kelvin Chavez|title=Marsden Talks Superman Returns!|publisher=Lation Review|url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news/marsden-talks-superman-returns-557|date=2006-05-12|accessdate=2006-05-12}}</ref> [[Joel Edgerton]] (who turned down the chance to audition as Superman) auditioned for Ty-Zor, before Ratner dropped out of the project in March 2003, blaming casting difficulties,<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Ratner off ''Superman''|publisher=[[IGN]]| url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390115p1.html|date=2003-03-20|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> and violent disagreements with [[Jon Peters]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Lew Irwin | url = http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2003-03-10#celeb1 | title = ''Superman'' Makers in Angry Feud | publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] | date = 2003-03-10 | accessdate = 2008-04-18}}</ref> [[McG]] returned as director, while Fraser expressed interest, but had fears of typecasting.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=Fraser Talks ''Superman''|publisher=[[IGN]]|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/457/457686p1.html|date=2003-11-03|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> [[Selma Blair]] was in talks for [[Lois Lane]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=''Superman'' Taking Baby Steps?|publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/463/463007p1.html|date= 2004-01-14|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> while ESC Entertainment was hired for [[visual effects]] work, with Kim Libreri as visual effects supervisor and [[Stan Winston]] designing a certain "prototype suit".<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title= ''Superman'' Hirings|publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/518/518265p1.html|date= 2004-03-24|accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> McG approached [[Shia LaBeouf]] for [[Jimmy Olsen]], with an interest to cast an unknown for Superman, [[Scarlett Johansson]] as Lois Lane and [[Johnny Depp]] for [[Lex Luthor]].<ref>{{cite news|author=William Keck|title=''I, Robot'' Has Superstar Input|publisher=[[USA Today]]|url= http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-07-08-irobot-premiere_x.htm|date=2004-07-08|accessdate= 2008-02-06}}</ref> [[Neal H. Moritz]] and [[Gilbert Adler]] were set to produce the film. McG also commissioned [[Josh Schwartz]] to do a "polish" of the Abrams script. He wanted to shoot in Canada, which would have cost $25 million more than WB's preferred Oz locale. McG shot test footage with several candidates, including [[Jason Behr]], [[Henry Cavill]] and [[Jared Padalecki]].<ref name=Singer/> McG dropped out of directing, blaming budgetary concerns and filming locations. McG opted to shoot in [[New York City]] and Canada, but Warner Bros. wanted [[Sydney]], Australia. McG felt "it was inappropriate to try to capture the heart of America on another continent."<ref>{{cite news | author = Lew Irwin | url = http://imdb.com/news/sb/2004-07-12#film4 | title = McG Out As Director of ''Superman'' Sequel | publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] | date = 2004-07-12 | accessdate = 2008-04-18}}</ref> He later admitted it was his [[fear of flying]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Lew Irwin | url = http://imdb.com/news/wenn/2005-10-19#celeb9 | title = Moviemaker McG's Fear of Flying Cost Him ''Superman'' | publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] | date = 2005-10-19 | accessdate = 2008-04-18}}</ref> Abrams lobbied for the chance to direct his script.<ref>{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming; Dave McNary | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117908978 | title = Par girding up for 'War' | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2004-08-11 | accessdate = 2008-11-05}}</ref> However, in July 2004, [[Bryan Singer]] replaced McG as director, resulting in ''[[Superman Returns]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stax|title=''Superman'' Director Up, Up, and Away!| publisher=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/529/529632p1.html|date=2004-07-11| accessdate=2008-02-06}}</ref> {{See|Superman Returns#Development}} ==Revival== === ''Superman Returns'' (2006) === {{Main|Superman Returns}} [[Image:BryanSinger edited.jpg|thumb|right|[[Bryan Singer]], a self-described childhood fan of the original ''Superman'', directed ''Superman Returns''.]] Following the departure of Ratner and McG, [[Bryan Singer]], who was said to be a childhood fan of [[Richard Donner]]'s [[Superman (film)|film]], was approached by Warner Bros. He accepted, abandoning two films already in pre-production, ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'' (which, coincidentally, would come to be directed by Ratner) and a remake of ''[[Logan's Run]]''. Singer's story tells of Superman's return to Earth following a five year search for survivors of Krypton. He discovers that in his absence Lois Lane has given birth to a son and become engaged. Singer chose to follow Donner's lead by casting relatively unknown [[Brandon Routh]] as Superman, who resembled [[Christopher Reeve]] somewhat, and more high profile actors in supporting roles, such as [[Kevin Spacey]] as [[Lex Luthor]]. Singer brought his entire crew from ''[[X2]]'' to work on the film. Although ''Superman Returns'' received positive reviews, [[Warner Bros.]] and [[Legendary Pictures]] were somewhat disappointed by the film's [[box office]] return.<ref name="variety.com">{{cite news | author = Pamela McClintock | title = WB mulls ''Superman'' redux | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2006-08-13 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117948368.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | accessdate = 2008-03-13}}</ref> In the words of Warner Bros. President [[Alan F. Horn]], "I thought it was a very successful movie, but I think it should have done $500 million worldwide. We should have had perhaps a little more action to satisfy the young male crowd."<ref>{{cite news | title = Horn Planning ''Superman'' Sequel for 2009 | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2006-08-18 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4658 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> ==Future== ===''Superman Returns'' sequel=== In February 2006, four months before the release of ''Superman Returns'', Warner Bros. announced a mid-2009 theatrical release date for a sequel, with Bryan Singer reprising his directing duties.<ref>{{cite news | title = Studio Sets ''Super'' Sequels | work = [[IGN]] | date = 2006-02-23 | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/690/690806p1.html | accessdate = 2008-03-13}}</ref> [[Gilbert Adler]],<ref name=Adler/> [[Jon Peters]],<ref name=petersdia/> and Singer<ref>{{cite news | title = ''Super'' Sequel Set | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2006-10-30 | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/742/742503p1.html | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> were set as [[film producer|producer]]s with [[Chris Lee (producer)|Chris Lee]] to [[executive producer|executive produce]].<ref name=Tsai/> Singer dropped out of directing films such as ''[[Logan's Run#Remake|Logan's Run]]'' and ''[[Milk (film)|Milk]]'' in favor of the sequel.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael Fleming; Pamela McClintock|title=Inside Move: ''Superman'' playing with Singer's sked|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date= 2006-05-15|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117943242.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|accessdate= 2008-03-13}}</ref> There were to be multiple villains,<ref name=Adler/> with [[Brainiac (comics)|Brainiac]] and [[Bizarro]] under consideration to be used.<ref name=brain>{{cite news | author = Fred Topel | title=Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer Tease ''Superman Returns'' Sequel | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | date=2006-11-17 | url = http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=380217 | accessdate = 2008-06-29}}</ref> Singer planned to have more action sequences, with the "New [[Krypton]]" landmass that was floating in space at the end of ''Superman Returns'' to be part of the storyline.<ref name=sequel/DVD>{{cite news | author = Scott Chitwood | title = Exclusive: Singer on ''Superman'' Sequel & DVD | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2006-07-22 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4542 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> Superman was also going to fight "an enemy with real physical power".<ref>{{cite news | title = Exclusive: No Zod in ''Superman Returns 2''? | publisher = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = 2007-03-13 | url = http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=20493 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> Singer expressed interest filming some scenes in [[3-D film]],<ref name=sequel/DVD/> with post-production to take place in [[Hawaii]].<ref name=Tsai/> The sequel would have continued to use same musical [[theme (music)|theme]]s established by [[John Williams]] in ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author = Leslie Brokaw | title = The Music Indy Runs On | publisher = [[Boston Globe]] | date = 2008-05-18 | url = http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/05/17/the_music_indy_runs_on/ | accessdate=2008-05-20}}</ref> [[Brandon Routh]] was planning to return and improve his muscular physique once more.<ref>{{cite news | author = Fred Topel | title = Brandon Routh Looking For More Fights In ''Superman Returns 2'' | publisher = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] | date = 2006-11-03 | url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=376876 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> while [[Kate Bosworth]] was enthusiastic to return as [[Lois Lane]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Heather Newgen | title = Superman Returns' Lois Lane, Kate Bosworth | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2006-06-16 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4382 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> [[Kevin Spacey]] was set to portray [[Lex Luthor]], and hoped to complete all of his scenes in a six-week schedule, as was done for ''Superman Returns''.<ref>{{cite news | author = Anne Thompson | title = Spacey set for ''Superman'' sequel | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2007-07-10 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968333.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> [[Sam Huntington]] and [[Frank Langella]] were to reprise [[Jimmy Olsen]] and [[Perry White]] because they were contracted for two sequels.<ref>{{cite news | author = Heather Newgen | title = Huntington Signed for Two ''Superman'' Sequels | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2006-06-09 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4370 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | author = Edward Douglas | title = Frank Langella on the Return of Perry White | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2007-11-08 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6509 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> [[Tristan Lake Leabu]] was also to return as Jason White.<ref name=brain/> Warners and Legendary Pictures were disappointed by ''Superman Returns''' theatrical [[box office]], and were looking forward to a far lower budget for the sequel.<ref name="variety.com"/> $175 million was the maximum budget the studio was projecting.<ref>{{cite news | author = Stephen Galloway | title = Studios are hunting the next big property | publisher = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = 2007-07-10 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if727c623f03c782b8ad564866c828796 | accessdate=}}</ref> In November 2006, work on the storyline was starting, with an eye to start filming in mid-2007.<ref name=Tsai>{{cite news | author = Michael Tsai | title = Sequel to ''Superman Returns'' due in 2009 | publisher = [[The Honolulu Advertiser]] | date = 2006-11-08 | url = http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Nov/08/br/br0948627351.html | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> In March 2007, Singer halted the sequel in favor of ''[[Valkyrie (film)|Valkyrie]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author = Michael Fleming | title = United Artists grabs Singer thriller | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2007-03-13 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117961116.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> Filming was then set to begin in March 2008,<ref>{{cite news | title = ''Superman'' Sequel Eyeing March '08 Start | publisher = [[Superhero Hype!]] | date = 2007-03-19 | url = http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5358 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> while in April 2007, Singer, [[Michael Dougherty]] and [[Dan Harris]] were still working on the story, and Peters hoped to have a script by the end of the year. Peters planned [[pre-production]] to start in January &mdash;February 2008.<ref name=petersdia>{{cite news | author = Ann Donahue | title = Dialogue: Jon Peters | publisher = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = 2007-04-30 | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/features/e3if6c28ca5b32761d8ce927f43a0a2aae3 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> Singer then announced filming would begin in mid-2008,<ref name=Adler>{{cite news | author = Frosty | title = Bryan Singer – Exclusive Video Interviews at the 2007 Saturn Awards | publisher = Collider.Com | date = 2007-05-11 | url = http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/4346/tcid/1 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> while in October 2007, writers [[Michael Dougherty]] and [[Dan Harris]] left in favor of other career opportunities.<ref>{{cite news | author = Marc Graser | title = ''Superman'' writers won't return | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2007-10-21 | url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117974449.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> The release date was then moved to 2010 because of the [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]].<ref>{{cite news | author = Stax | title = ''JLA'' Deadline Looms | publisher = [[IGN]] | date = 2008-01-14 | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/845/845293p1.html | accessdate=2008-03-13}}</ref> In March 2008, Singer said the film was in early development.<ref>{{cite news | author = Olly Richards | title = Singer Talks ''Superman Returns'' Sequel | publisher = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date = 2008-03-12 | url = http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22165 | accessdate=2008-03-14}}</ref> In April 2008, Routh stated he expected filming to begin in early 2009 for a 2010 release.<ref>{{cite news | author = Frosty | title = Brandon Routh Exclusive Video Interview - ''Lie to Me'' | url = http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/7675/tcid/1 | publisher = Collider.com | date = 2008-04-23 | accessdate = 2008-08-04}}</ref> However, with Warner Bros. deciding to make a [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]], Singer left the sequel in favor of directing a film adaptation of ''[[Battlestar Galactica (1978 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]''.<ref>{{cite news | author = Borys Kit | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7fa7a60767d78439fd3baf5904a8e717 | title = Bryan Singer to direct 'Battlestar' film | work = [[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date = 2009-08-13 | accessdate = 2009-08-14}}</ref> ===Reboot=== In June 2008, [[Mark Millar]] claimed to have approached [[Warner Bros.]] on restarting the franchise, hoping for a 2011 release. A very well-known American action director (later revealed to be [[Matthew Vaughn]]) asked Millar to "team up with him and his producer to make a [[pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]]." However, Millar later clarified his comments: "[...] you have to wait and see if Bryan [Singer] is going to do any more. You can’t just go in there and nick a project off a guy. If Bryan ends up standing back and goes to move on and do something else, we’ll be in there like a shot."<ref>{{cite news | author = Martin Anderson | title = The Den Of Geek interview: Mark Millar | publisher = DenofGeek.com | date = 2008-07-20 | url = http://www.denofgeek.com/comics/88459/the_den_of_geek_interview_mark_millar.html | accessdate=2008-08-22}}</ref> His idea is to have an [[epic film|epic]] 8-hour ''Superman'' trilogy, each released a year apart, similar to the ''[[The Lord of the Rings film trilogy|Lord of the Rings]]''. Millar compared it to the [[Godfather trilogy|''Godfather'' trilogy]], in which it will chronicle the entire life of Superman, from the early days of Krypton to the finale where Superman loses his powers as the sun starts to supernova.<ref>{{cite news | author = | title = Exclusive: Mark Millar Talks Superman | publisher = EmpireOnline | date = 2008-10-29 | url = http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=23521 | accessdate=2008-10-30}}</ref> However, Millar has revealed that they are not involved yet.<ref>{{cite news|author=|title=July 11, 2009 - Superman / Mark Millar reveals his partner was Matthew Vaughn|publisher=CoronaComingAttractions.com|date=2009-08-15|url=http://www.coronacomingattractions.com/scoops/july-11-2009-superman-mark-millar-reveals-his-partner-was-matthew-vaughn|accessdate=2009-08-29}}</ref> In July 2008, Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. were listening to various screenwriters to pitch their solutions for a second installment. Singer was still attached, while busy with [[post-production]] on ''[[Valkyrie (film)|Valkyrie]]''.<ref name=ann>{{cite news | author = [[Anne Thompson]] | url = http://weblogs.variety.com/thompsononhollywood/2008/07/snyder-reveals.html?query=legendary | title = ''Watchmen'''s Snyder Reveals Secrets; Legendary's Tull Talks ''Superman'' | publisher = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date = 2008-07-17 | accessdate= 2008-08-12}}</ref> Comic book writers [[Grant Morrison]], [[Geoff Johns]], [[Mark Waid]] and [[Brad Meltzer]] also pitched their ideas for a reboot. Morrison stated, "I told them, it’s not that bad. Just treat ''Superman Returns'' as the [[Ang Lee]] ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]''." Waid said, "''[[The Incredible Hulk (film)|The Incredible Hulk]]'' has proven the audience will forgive you and let you redo the franchise."<ref name=Jen/> Morrison's idea was similar to his work on ''[[All Star Superman]]'', while Waid's was akin to ''[[Superman: Birthright]]''.<ref name=Jen>{{cite news | author = Jennifer Vineyard | title = How To Reboot The Superman Movie Franchise-Comic Writers Chime In | publisher = [[MTV]] | date = 2008-08-11 | url = http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/11/how-to-reboot-the-superman-movie-franchise-comic-writers-chime-in/ | accessdate=2008-08-22}}</ref> In August 2008, Warner Bros. suggested to [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] the film series. [[Studio executive]] Jeff Robinov plans to have the film released either by 2010 or 2011, explaining "''Superman Returns'' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to. It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned. Had ''Superman'' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009. Now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."<ref name=wall>{{cite news | author = Lauren A.E. Schuker | title = Warner Bets on Fewer, Bigger Movies | publisher = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | date = 2008-08-22 | url = http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121936107614461929.html?mod=googlenews_wsj | accessdate = 2008-08-22}}</ref> [[Paul Levitz]] says that Brandon Routh is still set to return as Superman.<ref>{{cite news | author = Kellvin Chavez | title = Exclusive: DC Comics President Gives ''Superman'' Update | url = http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-dc-comics-president-gives-superman-update-5511 | work = Latino Review | date = 2008-10-09 | accessdate = 2008-10-09}}</ref> In 2009, however, Routh's contract to play Superman in another film expired, but he says he would like to return if given the chance.<ref>[http://www.moviehole.net/200919730-routh-talks-superman-sequel Routh talks Superman sequel]</ref> With the financial and critical success of ''[[The Dark Knight (film)|The Dark Knight]]'', Warners said of the reboot ''Superman'' film, "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the character allows it."<ref name="wall"/> [[Legendary Pictures]] president Thomas Tull added that "Superman needs a powerful antagonist, a worthy opponent," wanting to evoke Superman as an "angry God".<ref name=ann/><ref>{{cite news | author = Kye Lippold | title = Thomas Tull '92 Discusses His Journey From Hamilton to Hollywood | publisher = [[Hamilton College]] | date = 2008-04-21 | url = http://www.hamilton.edu/news/more_news/display.cfm?id=13939 | accessdate=2008-04-22}}</ref> Paul Levitz stated in an interview that [[Batman_in_film#Third film|''Batman'']] holds the key to the ''Superman reboot''. He elaborated, "Everyone is waiting for [[Christopher Nolan|Nolan]] to sign on for another Batman, once that happens, the release date for Superman and all other future projects will follow."<ref>{{cite news | author = Kirsten Anderson | title = Sequel Update: DC Prez Talks Batman 3, More Superman | url = http://snarkerati.com/movie-news/sequel-update-dc-prez-talks-batman-3-more-superman/ | work = Snarkerati | date = 2009-01-17 | accessdate = 2009-01-17}}</ref> In February 2009, [[McG]], who previously planned to direct ''[[Superman: Flyby]]'', expressed interest in returning to the ''Superman'' franchise.<ref>{{cite news | author = Ed Gross | url = http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/VoicesFromKrypton/news/?a=7981 | title = McG Talks Superman | work = ComicBookMovie.com | date = 2009-06-15 | accessdate = 2009-07-05}}</ref> August 2009 saw a court ruling in which [[Jerry Siegel]]'s family recaptured the rights to Superman's origins and Siegel's copyright in [[Action Comics 1]], while the Shuster estate had also won a court ruling similar to the Siegal case. It was ruled that Warner Bros. and DC Comics still retain ownership of certain aspects of Superman's character that appeared outside of the original Action Comics 1, such as the S-shield logo, the name of the Daily Planet Newspaper, the character of Jimmy Olsen, most of Superman's villains (including Lex Luthor), and Superman's established set of powers (including flight).<ref>{{cite news|author=Marc Graser|title=Superman co-creator's family given rights|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=2009-08-13|url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118007269.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|accessdate=2009-08-29}}</ref> In a related ruling, a judge ruled that Warner Brothers did not owe the families additional royalties from previous films, however if they do not begin production on a Superman film by 2011, then the Shuster and Siegel estates will be able to sue for lost revenue on the unmade film.<ref>|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=8492|</ref> ====''The Man of Steel''==== On February 24, 2010, it was announced that [[David S. Goyer]] is writing the script for a Superman film called ''The Man of Steel.'' The approach for the movie has been described as "modern…believable…fun!" and the film will not involve Brandon Routh, Nicolas Cage, Mark Millar, or Bryan Singer. The only information about the story so far is this: “I can tell you that Goyer’s story involves Luthor and Brainiac. It is NOT an origin and assumes audiences already know about Lois, Clark, Jimmy and Perry. I know the Daily Planet is struggling due to the internet. And I know it sets up a huge Kryptonian mythology.”<ref>{{cite news|author=Bill Graham |title=SDavid Goyer Writing Next SUPERMAN, Plot Details Emerge, Called THE MAN OF STEEL|publisher=Collider |date=2010-02-24|url=http://www.collider.com/2010/02/24/david-goyer-writing-next-superman-plot-details-emerge-called-the-man-of-steel/|accessdate=2010-02-24}}</ref> In addition, it has been reported that Warner Bros. has now placed [[Christopher Nolan]] as the "godfather" of the Superman movie franchise. Deadline.com reported that due to his success with the revival of the Batman film franchise he was placed in charge of the project, however, Nolan is unlikely to direct himself.<ref>http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-chris-nolan-hell-mentor-superman-3-0-while-preparing-3rd-batman/</ref> Sources also state that Goyer will be writing the film with ''The Dark Knight'' co-writer [[Jonathan Nolan]].<ref>http://movies.ign.com/articles/107/1071879p1.html</ref> On March 10, 2010, Christopher Nolan himself confirmed that he and Goyer have been working on an idea for a Superman film. Nolan says, "He basically told me, 'I have this thought about how you would approach Superman.' I immediately got it, loved it and thought: That is a way of approaching the story I’ve never seen before that makes it incredibly exciting. I wanted to get [[Emma Thomas|Emma [Thomas]]] and I involved in shepherding the project right away and getting it to the studio and getting it going in an exciting way… A lot of people have approached Superman in a lot of different ways. I only know the way that has worked for us that’s what I know how to do."<ref>{{cite news|author=Brendan Bettinger|title=Christopher Nolan Speaks! Updates on DARK KNIGHT Sequel and SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL|publisher=Collider |date=2010-03-10|url=http://www.collider.com/2010/03/10/christopher-nolan-speaks-updates-on-dark-knight-sequel-and-superman-man-of-steel/|accessdate=2010-03-10}}</ref> ==Critical reaction== {| class="wikitable" width=99% border="1" | rowspan="2" align="center" | '''Film''' | colspan="2" align="center" | '''[[Rotten Tomatoes]]''' | rowspan="2" align="center" | '''[[Metacritic]]''' | rowspan="2" align="center" | '''[[Yahoo! Movies]]''' |- | align="center" | '''Overall''' | align="center" | '''Cream of the Crop''' |- | ''[[Superman (film)|Superman]]'' | 93% (45 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/ | title=Superman | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 80% (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/?critic=creamcrop | title=Superman (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 88% (12 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/supermanthemovie?q=superman | title=Superman | publisher=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | A (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800124151/info | title=Superman = Critics Reviews | publisher=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Movies]] | accessdate=2007-06-26 }}</ref> |- | ''[[Superman II]]'' | 87% (38 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii/ | title= Superman II | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 100% (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii/?critic=creamcrop| title=Superman II (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 99% (7 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/superman2 | title=Superman II | publisher=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | B (5 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800024967/info | title=Superman II - Critics Reviews | publisher=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Movies]] | accessdate=2007-06-26 }}</ref> |- | ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]'' | 83% (6 reviews)<ref name="rdc">{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii_the_richard_donner_cut/ | title=Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-10-11 }}</ref> | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; |- | ''[[Superman III]]'' | 23% (40 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iii/ | title=Superman III | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 0% (2 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iii/?critic=creamcrop | title=Superman III (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; |- | ''[[Supergirl (film)|Supergirl]]'' | 8% (24 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/supergirl/ | title=Supergirl | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2010-04-07 }}</ref> | 0% (4 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iii/?critic=creamcrop | title=Supergirl (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2010-04-07 }}</ref> | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; |- | ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' | 11% (28 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iv_the_quest_for_peace/ | title= Superman IV: The Quest for Peace| publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 25% (4 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iv_the_quest_for_peace/?critic=creamcrop | title=Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; | style="background-color:#D3D3D3;" | &nbsp; |- | ''[[Superman Returns]]'' | 77% (244 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_returns/ | title=Superman Returns | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 73% (39 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_returns/?critic=creamcrop | title=Superman Returns (Cream of the Crop) | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | 72% (40 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/supermanreturns | title=Superman Returns | publisher=[[Metacritic]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref> | B (15 reviews)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1807839024/info | title=Superman II - Critics Reviews | publisher=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Movies]] | accessdate=2007-06-26 }}</ref> |} == Franchise collections == Throughout the film series' history, three [[box set]]s of the films have been released by Warner Bros. The first occurred on May 1, 2001, when ''The Complete Superman Collection'' was released both on [[DVD]] and [[VHS]], containing that year's DVD/home video releases of ''Superman: The Movie'', ''Superman II'', ''Superman III'', and ''Superman IV''. The set was valued at US$49.99 for the DVD release and US$29.99 for the VHS release, and received positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,108170,00.html|title=The Complete Superman Collection (2001)|publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> The four Christopher Reeve films were again released on November 28, 2006, in new DVD releases to coincide with ''[[Superman Returns]]'', also released in that year. ''Superman: The Movie'' was released in a four-disc '[[special edition]]' similar to ''Superman II'', which was released in a two-disc special edition. Both ''Superman III'' and ''IV'' were released in single disc '[[deluxe edition]]s', and all four releases were available together in ''The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection'', an 8-disc set that was valued at US$79.92. Like 2001 set before it, ''The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection'' received positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16168|title=The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection DVD Review|publisher=UGO.com|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> Also on November 28, 2006, a 14-disc DVD box set titled ''Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition'' was released, containing ''Superman: The Movie'', ''Superman II'', ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]'', ''Superman III'', ''Superman IV'', ''Superman Returns'', and ''[[Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman]]'', among other releases. All contents of the set were housed within a [[tin]] case. The set was valued at US$99.92, and received extremely positive reviews when first released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25423/superman-ultimate-collectors-edition/|title=Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition |publisher=[[DVD talk]]|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> However, after only a day on the market, Warner Bros. announced that there were two errors discovered within the set. The first was that the 2.0 audio track on ''Superman: The Movie'', was instead the 5.1 audio track already on the disc. The second was that the ''Superman III'' disc was not the 2006 deluxe edition as advertised, but the 2001 release instead. The set was soon recalled, and Warner Bros. offered a toll-free number to replace the faulty discs for people who had already purchased the set.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NE1fU162IXA442|title=Warner Bros. Issues Statement Regarding Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition|publisher=Movie Web|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> Due to popular demand, a corrected set was released and ''Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition'' returned to store shelves on May 29, 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=5432|title=Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition Returns May 29|publisher=Superherohype.com|accessdate=2008-12-31}}</ref> On October 14, 2008, another Christopher Reeve Superman film collection was released, entitled ''Superman: 4 Film Favorites'', containing all four films, but with far less bonus material than previous sets. The collection was a 2-disc [[DVD#DVD capacity|DVD-18]] set that included the first disc of both special editions from the 2006 release and both deluxe editions as well. The set's list price was far cheaper than previous collections, at US$19.94. ==References== {{reflist|3}} {{DC Comics films}} {{1978-1987 Superman film series}} {{Superman}} {{featured article}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Superman (Film Series)}} [[Category:Film series with five entries]]<!-- if you only include the original four movies plus Superman Returns - assumes Supergirl and Superman II Donner Cut not part of continuity--> [[Category:Science fiction films by series]] [[Category:Action films by series]] [[Category:Fantasy films by series]] [[es:Serie fílmica de Superman]] [[fr:Adaptation de Superman à l'écran]] [[it:Superman (serie di film)]] [[pt:Superman Lives]]'