The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A documentary investigates why a movie about a flying alien who doesn’t fly and fights a giant spider, starring Nicolas Cage, never made it to the big screen.

🍿 The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Origin of a Hollywood ‘What If’

The documentary delves into the ambitious and ultimately ill-fated 1990s attempt by Warner Bros. to reboot the Superman film franchise with ‘Superman Lives.’ Following the success of Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ films, the studio aimed for a similarly dark and unique take on the Man of Steel. This ambitious project captured the imagination of many, promising a distinctive vision unlike any Superman film before or since.

Creative Forces and Eccentric Visions

Director Jon Schnepp extensively interviews key figures involved, from renowned director Tim Burton to screenwriter Kevin Smith, who famously received bizarre mandates from producer Jon Peters, including a Superman who couldn’t fly or wear his traditional suit, and must fight a giant spider. The film showcases the tension between creative integrity and studio demands, as various artists grappled with Peters’ outlandish ideas and Burton’s desire to portray Superman as an outsider. Nicolas Cage was cast as the Man of Steel, a choice that still sparks debate among fans. The documentary unveils rare costume tests and concept art, revealing how Burton and his team, including costume designer Colleen Atwood, envisioned a unique, often alien-looking Superman and his world. This phase of pre-production was incredibly active, detailing elaborate designs for villains like Brainiac and Doomsday, and exploring unconventional narrative approaches.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Self (Jon Schnepp): The dedicated documentarian who meticulously investigates and uncovers the tumultuous production history of the unmade ‘Superman Lives’ film.
• Self (Tim Burton): The visionary director of the ill-fated ‘Superman Lives’ project, who shares his creative approach and candid insights into its eventual cancellation.
• Self (Kevin Smith): The outspoken screenwriter who famously chronicled his initial, contentious experience writing for ‘Superman Lives’ under Jon Peters’ eccentric demands.
• Self (Jon Peters): The flamboyant and controversial producer whose outlandish ideas and strong opinions significantly shaped and ultimately doomed the ‘Superman Lives’ production.
• Nicolas Cage (Nicolas Cage): The unconventional actor cast as Superman, whose unique interpretation and unseen costume tests are a central focus of the documentary on the film’s demise.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Sylvain Despretz: “Highly creative people have a hard time getting their movies made. Full stop. That’s all it is. Because they bring stuff that blows everyone away, and as much as the claim is they want something original, they’re terrified of it.” – Reflecting on the challenges faced by visionary filmmakers when pitching unconventional projects to risk-averse Hollywood studios.
• Kevin Smith: “No flying, no suit, and Superman must fight a giant spider.” – Recounting the three absurd, non-negotiable mandates given to him by producer Jon Peters for his Superman Lives script.
• Kevin Smith: “You got nothing happening. You got Brainiac coming to the Fortress of Solitude, there’s not fight. Have him fight Superman’s guards!” – Quoting Jon Peters’ baffling feedback on his script, revealing Peters’ lack of understanding of the Superman character and lore.
• Jon Peters: “I want the cape to be a character in itself. It can come off and wrap around them and chop their head off.” – Describing his unconventional and violent ideas for Superman’s iconic cape, further illustrating his unique vision for the character.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? Reviews

Personal Review

As a long-time Superman fan, I’d heard the whispers and seen the infamous Nicolas Cage photos, but this documentary blew my mind! I was genuinely mesmerized seeing all the unreleased concept art and footage of Cage in different suits. It made me realize just how close this bonkers film came to existing. Hearing Kevin Smith recount the ‘no flying, no suit, giant spider’ demands from Jon Peters had me audibly gasping and laughing. And Tim Burton’s segments were surprisingly poignant, showing the creative heartbreak. I left feeling a strange mix of relief it didn’t happen, and profound curiosity about what kind of beautiful, bizarre mess it would have been.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of DC Comics and Superman lore”
  • “Anyone interested in behind-the-scenes filmmaking and movie production challenges”
  • “Documentary enthusiasts, especially those who enjoyed films like ‘Jodorowsky’s Dune'”
  • “Admirers of Tim Burton or Nicolas Cage’s unique cinematic contributions”
  • “Curious minds fascinated by Hollywood’s ‘what if’ stories and unmade projects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some strong language (from interviewees)”
  • “Discussions of creative frustrations and abandoned projects”

Professional Reviews

• Reviewer’s Insight: “Jon Schnepp’s deep dive into the infamous ‘Superman Lives’ project is an absolute revelation. It’s a fascinating look at creative ambition clashing with bewildering studio demands. The never-before-seen concept art and costume tests, especially with Nicolas Cage, offer a tantalizing glimpse into what could have been a cinematic anomaly. It’s a compelling narrative of Hollywood’s unique brand of chaos.
• Screen Pulse: “This documentary captivates with its access to key figures like Tim Burton and Kevin Smith, providing candid insights into a legendary unmade film. While occasionally meandering and prone to repetition, the sheer absurdity and passion behind ‘Superman Lives’ keep you hooked. It’s an essential watch for anyone curious about the often-bizarre realities of blockbuster filmmaking and what happens when visions collide.
• Unseen Reels: “While not always perfectly polished, ‘The Death of Superman Lives’ delivers a treasure trove of information and visuals for fans of unmade movies. Witnessing the progression from early concepts to near-production is truly remarkable. The film succeeds in humanizing the struggle of artists navigating the studio system, making a seemingly niche topic surprisingly relatable and endlessly entertaining.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were thrilled by the unprecedented access to concept art and Nicolas Cage’s costume tests.: Many praised the documentary for its in-depth exploration of Hollywood’s often-absurd production process and the candid interviews with the original creative team, especially Jon Peters and Kevin Smith’s conflicting accounts.

The behind-the-scenes look at a beloved character’s turbulent unmade film resonated deeply with comic book enthusiasts.: Audiences frequently commented on the surprising emotional depth and the ‘what if’ factor, appreciating the film for finally shedding light on one of cinema’s greatest mysteries and changing their perceptions of the project.

Overall Consensus: A captivating and revealing documentary that offers an unparalleled look into the famously unmade ‘Superman Lives’ film, highly praised by fans for its unique insights and never-before-seen material, despite some minor structural criticisms.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The documentary itself was financed through a crowdfunding campaign, initiated by director Jon Schnepp, highlighting the passion of fans for this unmade film.”
• “A popular anecdote recounted by Kevin Smith, confirmed by others, reveals that producer Jon Peters had three bizarre mandates for the Superman script: no flying, no suit, and Superman must fight a giant spider.”
• “The infamous photo of Nicolas Cage in a shiny, ill-fitting Superman suit was actually from an early costume test, not a final design, and the documentary shows extensive footage of various costume iterations.”
• “Jon Peters, a producer on the project, had a background as a hairdresser and was known for his eccentric ideas, including a strange obsession with giant spiders, which he also incorporated into ‘Wild Wild West’.”
• “‘Superman Lives’ was reportedly just weeks away from commencing principal photography when Warner Bros. abruptly pulled the plug, largely due to concerns over the ballooning budget and the studio’s recent string of box office disappointments, including ‘Batman & Robin’.”
• “Screenwriter Wesley Strick admitted he hadn’t read ‘The Death of Superman’ comics before being hired to rewrite the script, which surprised many of the comic-savvy crew.”
• “There is a post-credits scene featuring Jon Schnepp interviewing Tim Burton, offering additional insights into the director’s perspective on the project.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened??

Discover the captivating story behind one of Hollywood’s most intriguing unmade films. ‘The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?’ is widely available for digital purchase or rental across major platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Availability on subscription streaming services may vary, so check your preferred platform for the most current options to watch this essential documentary for comic book and film history enthusiasts.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened?, you might like these similar films:

• Jodorowsky’s Dune (2013): Explores another notoriously ambitious, unmade film project, showcasing vast concept art and interviews with the creators, much like this documentary dissects ‘Superman Lives’.
• Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991): A legendary documentary about the infamously troubled production of ‘Apocalypse Now’, offering a deep dive into directorial vision, studio interference, and creative chaos.
• Batman & Robin (1997): This film’s catastrophic critical and commercial failure directly contributed to Warner Bros.’ decision to cancel ‘Superman Lives’, representing the superhero film landscape at the time.
• Wild Wild West (1999): Another film produced by Jon Peters, infamous for its giant mechanical spider, a recurring obsession of Peters that also heavily influenced the ‘Superman Lives’ project.
• Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four (2015): A documentary focused on another famously unreleased superhero film, detailing its troubled production and the reasons it was ultimately shelved, appealing to fans of cinematic ‘what ifs’.

🛒 The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? Related Products

• The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? (Blu-ray): Own the critically acclaimed documentary that unveils the secrets behind Tim Burton’s unmade ‘Superman Lives’. This Blu-ray edition includes exclusive interviews, bonus footage, and enhanced visuals, allowing you to dive even deeper into this cinematic ‘what if’.
• Superman Lives: The Art of the Unmade Film (Hardcover Book): A comprehensive art book collecting hundreds of never-before-seen concept sketches, costume designs, and storyboards from the canceled ‘Superman Lives’ film. Features commentary from the artists and filmmakers, providing unparalleled insight into its visual development.
• DC Comics: The Death of Superman (Graphic Novel): Experience the iconic comic book saga that inspired the very premise of ‘Superman Lives’. This graphic novel collects the complete storyline where Superman faces Doomsday in a battle to the death, a pivotal arc in DC Comics history.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Superman (Nicolas Cage – Unmade Film Concept): A highly sought-after Funko Pop! vinyl figure capturing the legendary ‘what if’ of Nicolas Cage as Superman, featuring a stylized rendition of his unique costume test design.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “A Kryptonian Dream (Main Theme)” – performed by Daniel James Carey
• “Lex’s Lair of Lies” – performed by Daniel James Carey
• “What Could Have Been” – performed by Daniel James Carey
• “The Hollywood Machine” – performed by Daniel James Carey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Insane Story of Tim Burton’s Unmade Superman Movie

Ever wondered about the wild ride that was Tim Burton’s unmade Superman movie with Nicolas Cage? This video deep-dives into the whole insane story, and honestly, it makes you both relieved it didn’t happen and fascinated by what could have been. It’s truly a must-watch for anyone curious about Hollywood’s biggest ‘what ifs’!

NICK CAGE is SUPERMAN!!! #superman #dccomics #nicolascage

Nicolas Cage as Superman – what do *you* think? This super-short clip perfectly captures the common sentiment around this famously unmade film. Personally, I’m glad it didn’t happen, but it’s still fun to imagine!

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