So, with the recent development of DC Entertainment not actively developing a new Superman film, despite a court order saying they have to in order to retain the rights to their flagship character, it leads many to wonder why it is so hard to get films of the Man of Steel off the ground. This is not the first time a Superman film has been put into development hell. Here is what many consider to be the most notorious case of a Superman film being developed.
Back in 1997, writer/director Kevin Smith, of Clerks fame, had a meeting with a Warner Bros. executive who offered him the chance to look at one of three scripts. One of those scripts was for a new Superman film entitled Superman Reborn. Smith was immediately interested and was allowed to take the script home to read it, and he then told the executive his thoughts on the script: That it sucked. After telling the executive, and several other executives, that it sucked, he was told he could go ahead and rewrite it his way, but that he had to have his script approved by producer Jon Peters. Peters is a former hairdresser, which should let you know how qualified he is to produce a film based on one of the most recognizable literary figure in the world.
Peters told Smith that the script had three rules. Superman could not wear the classic costume. He also did not want Superman to fly. And he wanted Superman to fight a giant spider at the end. Smith was completely baffled by being asked to write a Superman movie that essentially, did not really have Superman in it. Peters also requested that Smith focus on writing a story that was filled with action scenes and characters that could be marketed as action figures. Smith completed his script and when Tim Burton was called in to direct with Nicolas Cage in the starring role, the script Smith had written was thrown out, much to the satisfaction of Smith.
The movie ended up not getting made, much to the joy of Superman fans everywhere. It should be noted that Smith said a year later he had seen a movie called Wild Wild West, which Peters had produced. It featured a giant spider in the climax. So it just goes to show that the situation could be much much worse. At least Jon Peters will not be producing the new film.
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