Superman film series
File:Superman ver1.jpg Superman (1978) poster
Directed by	Richard Donner (Superman) Richard Lester (Superman II & III) Sidney J. Furie (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace) Bryan Singer (Superman Returns)
Produced by	Alexander Salkind & Ilya Salkind (Superman I,II & III) Menahem Golan & Yoram Globus
Cinematography	Geoffrey Unsworth (Superman, Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut) Robert Paynter (Superman II, III) Ernest Day (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace)
Edited by	Stuart Baird (Superman) John Victor-Smith (Superman II, III) John Shirley (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace)
Distributed by	Warner Bros. (Superman, II, III, Returns) Cannon Films (in association with Warner Bros.) (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace)
Release date	1978-2006
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	(Superman: $55,000,000) (Superman II: 54,000,000) (Superman III: 30,000,000) (Superman IV: The Quest for Peace: 17,000,000 estimated) (Superman Returns: 204,000,000)

The Superman film series currently consists of five superhero films based on the fictional DC comics character of the same name. The series was conceived in 1973 under producers Alexander and Ilya Salkind, who along with other producers made five films between 1978 and 1987.

Not counting Supergirl, also made by the Salkinds, the original four starred Christopher Reeve in the title role. Distributor Warner Bros. picked up production rights in 1993, and a series of unsuccessful attempts to either film The Death of Superman story or reboot the series followed, before in 2006 Bryan Singer directed Superman Returns, a semi-sequel to the first two Reeve films.

In 1973, producer Ilya Salkind convinced his father 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 went over budget.^[1] 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, so they couldn't shoot there, but Hamilton was unable to shoot in England as he had been violating his tax payments. The Salkinds chose their star over their director, and Richard Donner was hired. Donner hired Tom Mankiewicz to polish the script, giving it a serious feel with Christ-like overtones.^[2]

Christopher Reeve was cast as Superman, having initially failed to impress the Salkinds before bulking up.^[1] Brando meanwhile, despite spending less than two weeks on the shoot,^[1] and not even reading the script until then,^[2] earned $3.7 million up front, plus 11.75% of the gross profits from the film.^[1] 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.^[3]

Shooting of the two films was marred by Donner's bad relationship with the Salkinds, with Richard Lester acting as mediator.^[2] 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.^[1][2] Despite Superman's success, Donner (whatever the case might have been) did not return to finish Superman II,^[2] and they replaced him with Lester, who gave the film a more tongue-in-cheek tone. They also cut Brando for financial reasons, while John Williams quit as composer as he turned his attention to other projects.^[1]. Still, II was a financial and critical success, despite its main competition in 1981, George Lucas' Raiders of the Lost Ark.

For the third installment, Ilya Salkind wrote a treatment that expanded the scope to a cosmic scale, introducing the villains Brainiac and Mr. Mxyzptlk, as well as Supergirl.^[2] Warner Bros. rejected it, instead turning Superman III into a showcase for co-star 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 re-tooled script ^[2] parred Brainiac down into the film's evil "ultimate computer",^[1] and despite the film's success many fans were disappointed, 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.^[2]

(See also: Evil Superman).

Exhausted, the producers were not ready to make a fourth film although Alexander Salkind's interest meant they decided to make Supergirl, with top-billed Faye Dunaway as the villainess Serena, and newcomer Helen Slater in the title role. Thanks to studio recutting from its two-hour-plus length, the film was not a major success worldwide.^[2] This ended the Salkinds' direct involvement in the Superman films, although they did go on to produce the Superboy TV series and conceived of a fifth, unproduced Superman movie using the mythos of the Superboy series.

Cannon films picked up an option for a fourth 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, and the poor special effects and heavy re-editing led to the film's poor reception.^[4] Warner Bros. decided to give the franchise a break following the mixed reception of the last two Superman films.^[2]

After the release of Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, several more Superman films were planned and subsequently cancelled. Most of the films followed the same basic script, intended to be an adaptation of a comic book story arc entitled The Death and Return of Superman. Warner Brothers spent 17 years, three confirmed directors, nine screenwriters, and approximately $50 million in combined resources for the seven different films without any filming ever taking place. Ultimately in June of 2004, Bryan Singer was hired to take over the-long-in-development project, and the result was Superman Returns.

After the failure of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, Cannon Films was still intent on delivering a fifth installment. Albert Pyun was set to direct, but when Cannon went bankrupt, the film rights reverted to Ilya Salkind.^[5]

Salkind refreshed the Superman franchise by producing the Superboy television series, which inspired Salkind to set plans for a fifth Superman film. He teamed with Superboy writers Cary Bates and Mark Jones to write Superman V, also known as Superman: The New Movie. The story features Superman dying and being resurrected in the shrunken Kryptonian bottled-city of Kandor, facing off against Brainiac. This story of Superman's death and resurrection predated The Death of Superman comic book.^[6]

Salkind, Bates, and Jones wrote two different drafts of the script and Salkind claims he even had Christopher Reeve set to star once again. For unknown reasons, however, Salkind allowed Warner Brothers to buy back the film and television rights to Superman. Warner Brothers then shut down production on Superboy in favor of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. They discarded Salkind, Bates, and Jones' idea for Superman V in order to develop a new film that followed "The Death and Return of Superman" more closely, which had recently become a newsstand success.^[6]

Jon Peters, coming off the success of Batman, came on board as producer and was given substantial creative control on the project from Warner Brothers. Peters hired longtime friend Jonathan Lemkin to write the script, which was titled Superman Reborn. ^[7]

Lemkin's script showed Lois Lane and Clark Kent with relationship troubles that are only resolved after Superman's battle with Doomsday, when he professes his love to her and his life force jumps between them, impregnating Lois in an immaculate conception. She gives birth to a child who grows 21 years in three weeks, and is, essentially, the resurrected Superman.^[7] This script was rejected by Warner Brothers and Peters turned to Gregory Poirier, whom he recently collaborated with on Rosewood.

Poirier's script, which was turned in just days before Christmas of 1995,^[5] featured Brainiac as the creator of Doomsday, whom he has infused with Kryptonite blood. Meanwhile,Superman tries to deal with being an alien in love with a human woman via psychiatric help.^[5] Superman goes as far as literally visiting a shrink.^[8] Superman is eventually killed by Doomsday, only to have his corpse stolen by an alien named Cadmus, a Brainiac victim, who resurrects Superman. Brainiac seeks Superman’s body as the perfect corporeal vessel, due to the deterioration of his own body. Brainiac threatens the people of Metropolis to aid in the search along with Parasite and the Silver Banshee. Powerless, Superman wears a robotic suit that mimics his old powers until he can learn to use his powers again on his own. According to the script, they’re a mental discipline called “Phin-yar,” very similar with The Force. In the end, Superman defeats the three villains with the help of Cadmus and pursues his legacy as The Last Son of Krypton.^[5]

Meanwhile, Warner Brothers, recently impressed by Kevin Smith’s script for Chasing Amy, brought Smith into their offices around late 1996. They offered him several scripts for potential rewrite work. The first was a remake of the famous Outer Limits episode The Architects of Fear. The second was a sequel to Beetlejuice titled Beetle Juice Goes Hawaiian, to which Smith thought, “must we go tropical?” The third was Gregory Poirier’s script of Superman Reborn, which had caught Smith’s eye due to his love of comic books.^[9]

Smith was asked to take home a copy of the Poirier script and give them his thoughts. Smith felt the script did not properly respect the source material, going so far as to ask Warners if they "had actually paid someone to write the script, and if so, could they get their money back?" Lorenzo di Bonaventura, the head of Warner Brothers at the time, was impressed with Smith’s knowledge of the character and asked Smith to take a try at a rewrite.^[9]

Smith met with Peters and told him the basic ideas he had in mind. Smith asked Peters who he saw playing Superman. Peters said that Sean Penn would be his choice because “he has the eyes of a killer, and the charisma of a caged animal”, per his performance in Dead Man Walking and then told Smith about three rules he wanted in the script.^[9]

The first rule was not seeing Superman in the classic red, blue, and yellow suit, which he called "too faggy." The second rule was getting rid of Superman's ability to fly. When Smith asked the producer why he didn't want Superman to fly, Peters responded saying "he'll look like an overgrown Boy Scout carrying and saving those people."^[9] Smith's solution was to portray Superman as a "red blur" and "causing a sonic boom everytime he flew," an idea taken from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns.^[8] The third rule was to have Superman fight a giant spider in the third act, which Peters said was inspired by seeing King Kong as a child, and how it would be a perfect opportunity for modern day special effects to depict Superman fighting something "huge and beast-like."^[9]

Smith then told Peters he would try his best and see what he could do with the three strange rules. Smith went back to Warner Brothers offices where he met an exec. The exec told him that Peters liked Smith and they were going to move forward on the project. The exec then worriedly asked Smith if Peters had brought up the giant spider. Smith laughingly said he did and asked the exec about the spider. The exec told him, "everyday with the fucking spider from Jon." Smith asked what he should do about "the spider situation" and the exec told him "to keep the idea, just don’t call it a spider." Off the top of his head Smith came up with a "Thagarian Snare-beast." Smith was ready to start writing the screenplay, but Warner Brothers told him he had to write a brief outline first, so they could approve of a screenplay. Smith asked if he could include dialogue and he was told yes.^[9]

Smith claims that he’s only great with dialogue and wrote an 80-page outline, with a substantial amount of dialogue. Warner Brothers told him it was too long, saying that an outline should only be four pages at the most. The studio then told Smith that he had to go back to Peters’ house, and read him the entire 80-page outline. Peters reportedly likes it when his writers read the outline to a script.^[9]

Smith finished reading the entire 80-page outline to Peters, which the producer liked very much, but said that there was a problem with there "not being enough action scenes." Peters wanted an action beat every 10 pages and, as an example, he went to the scene where Brainiac goes to The Fortress of Solitude looking for Superman. Peters wanted Brainiac to fight Superman’s guards, to which Smith replied, "Why would Superman need guards? Plus it’s called The Fortress of Solitude for a specific reason." Peters then brought up Brainiac fighting Polar Bears where he was to kill one, and another runs off because he "didn’t want to piss of the PETA-people" as Smith says.^[9]

Smith sent in his first draft, titled Superman Lives, and was asked for recommendations for a director. Smith suggested Tim Burton, but was told by the studio that Burton would never "do something like this."^[9] Robert Rodriguez claims he was offered the chance to direct, but turned it down because he didn't want to do a big-budget film for a studio.^[10] It wasn't until Smith turned in his second draft that the interests of Burton and longtime Superman fan Nicolas Cage were attached to the project. Cage originally offering his services as either Brainiac or Lex Luthor, but was eventually cast as Superman.^[8]

When Peters saw Smith’s film Chasing Amy, he liked the gay black character Hooper X, played by Dwight Ewell and told Smith that Brainiac's robot sidekick, L-Ron, "should have the same voice by Ewell", stating that the movie needed a "gay R2-D2." Citing the need for merchandisable characters, Peters also said that Brainiac should have a "cute-cuddly dog" similar to Chewbacca which he give to Luthor as a gift, setting up a comedic routine between Luthor and "the alien dog" not getting along.^[9]

Ultimately, Tim Burton rejected Smith’s draft and, as Smith put it, "everything went out the fucking window.".

Burton brought in Wesley Strick, who had previously written the shooting script for Burton's Batman Returns, to rewrite the script from scratch. Filming was to start in the summer of 1997,^[8] with the theatrical release date in June of 1998, the 60th anniversary of Superman's publication in Action Comics. ^[7] A teaser poster was constructed but was never shipped to theatres. It can be viewed here

Dissatisfied with the Strick script, Warner Brothers hired Dan Gilroy to rewrite, turning in two drafts, which were ultimately rejected.^[11] In March of 1998 Corona's Coming Attractions reported that Ron Bass was hired to rewrite Gilroy's script.^[12]

Sometime after Gilroy was let go, an aspiring comic book fan/screenwriter named Alex Ford got so fed up with the development of the film that he went as far as to turn in his own script unsolicited. Ford was brought into Warner Brothers offices, where he also met Jon Peters. Peters and Warner Brothers liked aspects of the script, but were confused by certain elements due to their lack of knowledge of the source material. Alex Ford’s script was finally rejected.

In a December 1997 interview with The Chicago Sun-Times, Tim Allen claimed that he was in negotiations to portray Brainiac. Courtney Cox was also listed as a casting possibility for Lois Lane. Kevin Smith, meanwhile, stated on his website that Chris Rock was likely to play Jimmy Olsen.^[13]

In March of 1998, Ain't It Cool News reported that Barry Corbin has expressed interest in playing Perry White. In the same report, Rock was stated to be officially signed on and Kevin Spacey set to portray Lex Luthor. Also, Michael Keaton confirmed in an interview with MTV that he had been cast in the film. Most thought he was to feature in a cameo as Batman since he played that role in Burton's "Batman" films, but Keaton was quoted as saying "not exactly."^[12]

In April, 1998, despite the fact that sets were already being built, Warner Bros. put Superman Lives on hold.^[14] Burton went on to direct Sleepy Hollow ^[11] and in October of 1998, Variety reported that Tim Burton was no longer involved in directing Superman Lives.^[15] Ain't It Cool News then reported that Brett Ratner was in talks as Burton's replacement.^[16] In a January 1999 interview with The Times of India, Shekhar Kapur stated he had been approached by Warner Brothers to replace Tim Burton as the director.^[17] The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Simon West and Steve Norrington were contenders alongside Kapur.^[18] Cage, meanwhile, stated that the project was on hold and that he was losing interest in staying aboard.^[19]

In July of 1999, William Wisher was brought in to rewrite the Ron Bass script, ^[20] which he turned in in February of 2000. The Hollywood Reporter claimed that the script was met with great acclaim by both Warner Brothers and Nicolas Cage.^[21] The Hollywood Reporter followed their previous article, saying that Oliver Stone was interested in directing and the Wisher script has a "darker, more Matrix feel to it."^[22] In June of 2000, Cage stated that he has completely dropped out of the project, and shortly after, Dean Cain, who portrayed Superman from Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman expressed interest as Cage's replacement.^[23] Variety then reported that Ralph Zondag was offered the chance to direct but declined.^[24]

In October of 2000 Ain't It Cool News broke a story that comic book veteran Kieth Giffen had pitched an idea to Warner Brothers about abandoning "The Death and Return" storyline and instead coming up with a treatment with Lobo as the primary villain. Giffen confirmed his involvement but stated that he couldn't explain any further details.^[25]

In April of 2001 The Hollywood Reporter claimed that Paul Attanasio was in talks with Warner Brothers to write a brand new script for the salary of $1.7 million.^[26]

Wolfgang Peterson was approached by Warner Brothers as Tim Burton's replacement on Superman Lives. Peterson pitched the idea of a World's Finest film. After McG left his Superman origin story to direct Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, and Darren Aronofsky left the long-in-development Batman: Year One to direct The Fountain, Warner Brothers decided to take a chance on Peterson's film. Andrew Kevin Walker was hired to write a the script titled Batman vs Superman shortly thereafter.^[14]

Shooting was to start in February 2003 for a summer 2004 theatrical release date. On casting Peterson said he was looking 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." Peterson cited Matt Damon as an example, though denied he was under consideration. Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, James Franco, Jude Law, and Paul Walker were all reported to be under consideration as Warner Brothers' "wish list of actors."^[14]

Peterson abandoned the project, claiming that Troy had caught his interest. Alan Horn said that Warner Brothers plans to restart both Batman and a Superman trilogies, then showcasing the two heroes into a film all together.^[27]

In November of 2001, an Ain't It Cool News contributor got his hands on Andrew Kevin Walker's story treatment supposedly turned in in October and that Walker was working on the first draft.^[28] The plot revolved around Lex Luthor Jr. taking over LexCorp after the death of his father. Creating a line of "Machine Men", he takes them to the World's Fair in Gotham City, where they are covered by Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Batman learns that the machines are controlled by a satellite protected by Kryptonite. Luthor clones The Joker as a means of distracting Batman. Superman eventually comes into the story and the climax ensues to stop the machines from invading Gotham.^[28]

Warner Brothers eventually enlisted the aid of Akiva Goldsman to rewrite the Walker script and a version dated June 21, 2002 and entitled "Asylum" has been leaked online.^[29]

This version finds Superman dealing with a lack of public support for his perceived nature as a "boy scout" as well as his failing marriage to Lois Lane. Meanwhile, Batman's sidekick Richard Grayson/Nightwing has died and Bruce Wayne decides to give up his crimefighting life and marry a woman named Elizabeth Miller. But on their honeymoon, Elizabeth is killed, seemingly by the Joker, who is believed to be dead. Bruce, convinced that someone is impersonating The Joker, returns to Wayne Manor and his life as Batman, despite Superman's attempts to divert him. Batman blames Superman for Elizabeth's death and believes that someone is out to kill them both. Superman returns to Smallville where he picks up his relationship with Lana Lang, ultimately contemplating giving up his Superman persona and living as just Clark Kent. Batman, meanwhile, tracks clues that reveal the Joker to be alive and well. Their conflict severely injures Batman. Superman decides to return to Metropolis and confronts Luthor, who reveals that he has created a "kryptonite bomb" for the US government as a hedge against Superman ever turning on humanity. Batman and Superman's agendas collide and they fight a huge battle throughout Gotham City, ending with Batman taking out Superman with Krptonite. The Joker then reveals that Elzabeth had been working for him all along and that Luthor was responsible for his resurrection. Superman is able to regain his strength and he and Batman team up and defeat the two villains.^[29]

Former music video director McG, fresh off the previous year's success of Charlie's Angels, was signed to direct the film, as WB executives were hoping to appeal to a young audience. ^[30] Writer/producer J. J. Abrams approached McG about writing and producing the film. Abrams, a fan of the characters, believed that not only should the franchise be revitalized for a new generation, but that a character as important as Superman shouldn't be introduced as a "second-string" co-star in the Batman vs. Superman movie. He expeditiously wrote a script, the first of a trilogy that would reboot the franchise. Abrams and McG presented it to the Warner brass, simply titled Superman I.^[31]

Warner Bros. greenlighted the film and within a few weeks, British composer Edward Shearmur had joined the project, promising to use the themes from the original series. Rumors flew as to which young Hollywood stars would play the lead roles. Every name from Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, and Smallville star Tom Welling was mentioned as being up for the Man of Steel, while Lois Lane was linked with every young female star from Kate Hudson and Liv Tyler to Natalie Portman and Beyoncé Knowles.

Furthermore, Abrams had gotten his wish of beating Batman vs. Superman to the screen as, in 2002, this film was given priority, cancelling most of the other projects and had a release date set of June, 2003. ^[32] As the casting buzz heated up, Warner Bros. insisted on starting the film immediately. As McG was scheduled to shoot Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle first, he became unavailable to start Superman when the studio wanted. Thus, Warner Bros. quickly replaced him with Brett Ratner, who had previously been considered as a replacement for Tim Burton, and preparations began anew.

Ratner brought the project its first official piece of casting when he gave the role of Jor-El to his Red Dragon star, Anthony Hopkins.^[33] He also stated that filming would start in June 2003.^[34] The project continued to move at a slow-but-steady pace as the gossip mill went out of control with casting rumors. Despite rumors that a famous actor was to be up for the role of Superman, Ratner was keen to cast an unknown actor.^[35] But the project was dealt an unexpected blow when a copy of Abrams' script was released on the internet.

Drew "Moriarty" McWeeny, a film critic and screenwriter, reviewed the first draft for Harry Knowles' Ain't it Cool News.com. The script showed Krypton not exploding, instead being overrun by robot soldiers and walking war machines, being right in the middle of a civil war. Jor-El is the king of Krypton and leader of the Kryptonian Senate, which makes Kal-El a prince. He and wife Lara send their infant son to Earth because he's "the One" to fulfill a prophecy and save Krypton from destruction. The Kents are chosen by Jor-El and left artifacts intended to represent Krytponian virtues as well as the Superman costume, here a living entity that climbs onto Superman when he needs it. The villains are Jor-El's brother Kata-Zor and nephew Ty-Zor, whoe kidnap Jor-El and torture Lara to death. Lex Luthor is portrayed as a CIA agent obsessed with UFO phenomena. When Superman reveals himself to the world, Luthor demands that the government allow him to hunt Superman down and kill him. The government refuses, so Luthor allies himself with the evil Kryptonians eventually revealing himself a Kryptonian working undercover to set up an invasion of Earth. In the climax, Lois Lane is set to drown in a tank filled with kryptonite, leaving Superman the choice to either save her and die from radiation poisoning or stand by and watch her drown. He chooses to save her and dies. Somehow, from across the galaxy, Jor-El senses Superman’s death and commits suicide, sending himself into the afterlife. There he meets Superman and talks him into returning to life so he can fulfill the prophecy of saving Krypton from its civil war. Superman’s soul returns to his body and he proceeds beat Ty-Zor and his henchmen. At the end of the film, Superman flies off in a rocket to save Krypton, which is where the second film was planned to take place. ^[36]

Moriarty's review took issue with its perceived similarities to Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, as well as The Matrix. He also reacted negatively to the many changes in Superman's backstory. Other issues included the implied homosexuality ofJimmy Olsen and other inconsistencies with the source material. ^[36]

Despite all the negative feedback with the leaked script, Warner Brothers issued a press release saying that Peters, Abrams, and Ratner's "re-imagining" of Superman "will bring new dimensions to the character for the newer-younger audience."^[37]

But the draft was taken by readers as a filming script, prompting much outrage and requiring Abrams to later sit down with Knowles and explain that the reviewed draft was a "work in progress", written in haste. ^[38] Knowles received a copy of the most recent script and, while citing several aspects that he felt needed improvement, gave a more positive review.^[39]

A year later, intense disagreements with producer Jon Peters over casting and other matters, combined with an escalating budget, led Ratner to leave the project. Abrams, however, stayed on while director McG returned. Preparation continued, with the studio still intending to shoot the film in Australia to save costs. Stan Winston was hired to produce a molded-muscle Superman outfit, and casting choices were further narrowed down. Eventually, McG succumbed to his on-the-record fear of flying, refusing to leave the country and demanded an American shoot, preferably in New York City. Warner Bros. stuck with the Australian locations and McG left the project again, taking his crew with him. The project appeared in danger of shutting down completely, until a few weeks later when trade papers announced the signing of Bryan Singer to direct the film.

Following the departure of Ratner and McG, Bryan Singer, a big childhood fan of Richard Donner's film, was approached by Warner Bros. He accepted, abandoning two films already in pre-production, X-Men: The Last Stand 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 gotten 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, which he styled as being in the same continuity as the original film.^[4]

Superman Returns received generally positive reviews, despite criticism of being too reliant on Donner's film.^[40]

Main Articles: Superman Returns#Sequel, Justice League#film

Another Superman film is planned for 2009, with a working title of Superman: Man of Steel. Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey have signed on to return, with Bryan Singer reportedly returning as director. ^[41] Warner Bros. say they are more interested in doing a Justice League film instead. ^[42]

• Superman films at IMDb
• Superman: Grounded, from Cashiers du Cinemart magazine.
• Roger Ebert's "Movie Answer Man", featuring Ebert answering a question from the man who claims to have placed Kevin Smith's script on the internet
• SuperMan SuperSite.com
• AICN's review of Abrams' script A negative review of a supposed JJ Abrams' script for Superman. Reviewed by Drew McWeeny
• Harry Knowles talks with JJ Abrams for a couple Hours