Batman1939
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"Where are you Superman?"
It's the panicked cry citizens in the crime-ridden city of Metropolis have shrieked since the Man of Steel made his debut in a comic book 68 years ago.
It's also a question Warner Bros studio executives, directors, producers and casting agents nervously pondered the last decade or so.
Who could replace Christopher Reeve, the actor with the all-American good looks who became the iconic Superman in the 1970s and 80s, but was tragically paralysed in a horse riding accident in 1995?
In 1997 when Tim Burton agreed to direct a new Superman film Nicolas Cage signed a $US20 million ($A27.15 million) deal to be the Man of Steel.
The project self-destructed amid fears of the potential $US190 million ($A258 million) budget and Cage, a longtime Superman fan, never had the chance to live his dream and wear red underpants on the outside of blue tights.
In 2002, Brett Ratner, who directed the recent X-Men: The Last Stand, was anointed by Warner Bros as the man to bring Superman back to life. Lost creator J.J. Abrams wrote the script and a long list of potential Clark Kents with big movie star careers, including Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Walker and James Marsden, auditioned.
The project, again weighed down by budget concerns, never got up, up and away.
In 2004, with Sydney's Fox Studios selected as the place to finally resurrect Superman, Charlie's Angels director Joseph "McG" Nichol came onboard, but he soon jumped ship.
Nichol thought Superman should be shot in the US, not Australia, and he bailed faster than a speeding bullet.
Meanwhile, X-Men 2 director Bryan Singer was in development with Warner Bros on a remake of the sci-fi film, Logan's Run.
With Nichol out, Warner Bros looked to Singer.
Singer and his writing team of Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty came up with their own script, Superman Returns, Warner Bros liked it and Superman was alive again.
Singer's story focused on Superman's return to Metropolis after disappearing for five years. Lois Lane has moved in with an executive from the Daily Planet and they have a young son, leaving lovestruck Superman/Clark Kent pining for his old flame.
With the script greenlit, the biggest piece of the puzzle still had to be found.
Source: http://cable.optusnet.com.au/news/story/aap/20060625/09/entertainment/superman-fed.inp
It's the panicked cry citizens in the crime-ridden city of Metropolis have shrieked since the Man of Steel made his debut in a comic book 68 years ago.
It's also a question Warner Bros studio executives, directors, producers and casting agents nervously pondered the last decade or so.
Who could replace Christopher Reeve, the actor with the all-American good looks who became the iconic Superman in the 1970s and 80s, but was tragically paralysed in a horse riding accident in 1995?
In 1997 when Tim Burton agreed to direct a new Superman film Nicolas Cage signed a $US20 million ($A27.15 million) deal to be the Man of Steel.
The project self-destructed amid fears of the potential $US190 million ($A258 million) budget and Cage, a longtime Superman fan, never had the chance to live his dream and wear red underpants on the outside of blue tights.
In 2002, Brett Ratner, who directed the recent X-Men: The Last Stand, was anointed by Warner Bros as the man to bring Superman back to life. Lost creator J.J. Abrams wrote the script and a long list of potential Clark Kents with big movie star careers, including Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, Paul Walker and James Marsden, auditioned.
The project, again weighed down by budget concerns, never got up, up and away.
In 2004, with Sydney's Fox Studios selected as the place to finally resurrect Superman, Charlie's Angels director Joseph "McG" Nichol came onboard, but he soon jumped ship.
Nichol thought Superman should be shot in the US, not Australia, and he bailed faster than a speeding bullet.
Meanwhile, X-Men 2 director Bryan Singer was in development with Warner Bros on a remake of the sci-fi film, Logan's Run.
With Nichol out, Warner Bros looked to Singer.
Singer and his writing team of Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty came up with their own script, Superman Returns, Warner Bros liked it and Superman was alive again.
Singer's story focused on Superman's return to Metropolis after disappearing for five years. Lois Lane has moved in with an executive from the Daily Planet and they have a young son, leaving lovestruck Superman/Clark Kent pining for his old flame.
With the script greenlit, the biggest piece of the puzzle still had to be found.
Source: http://cable.optusnet.com.au/news/story/aap/20060625/09/entertainment/superman-fed.inp
