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ARCHIVED NEWS & RUMORS

JUNE, 2000
Variety Online

One of the most recent helmers to have been approached by Warner Bros. to direct the eventual film was Ralph Zondag (Dinosaur). The film's most recent script was written by William Wisher (Terminator 2).

2000 Metropolis Celebration

At this years Superman Celebration in Metropolis Illinois it was announced at the annual auction that Nicolas Cage had officially quit the project. Not surprisingly, the news met with uproars of cheers and sighs of relief.

Cinescape Online

Cinescape reports that it sounds like Nicolas Cage has had his fill of the limbo locked Superman movie project and has chosen to finally move on. While talking to the Mr. Showbiz website about Gone in 60 Seconds, the actor spoke of his upcoming projects revealing that Superman is no longer one of them. In a RealPlayer clip, Cage explains, "Superman I've decided I'm not going to do. It's just been too long. At first it seemed like a good idea and would've been a lot of fun, but its just too much time has passed and I wanted to part company with it."

FEBRUARY, 2000
Popcorn

The British based Popcorn website released a statement which should be treated as rumor until confirmed. They report that controversial director Oliver Stone is interested in directing the new Superman movie. The website goes on to cover another rumor about the traditional costume idea being forsaken for a 'Matrix'-like outfit.

Hollywood Reporter online

The Hollywood Reporter website has just reported that screenwriter Will Wisher has completed the latest draft of a script for the Superman Lives movie. According to the article, the script was well received by Warner Bros. and Nicolas Cage, who is still attached to star in the movie.

JANUARY, 2000
Wizard magazine

The "March 2000" issue of Wizard magazine released this month contains a mini-interview with Tim Burton. This interview resembles one reported back in November 1999 by the 'Mr. Showbiz' website. Burton was asked whether or not the Superman Lives movie was dead and he replied, "It is for me, that's for sure! I basically worked very hard. I made the movie - we just forgot to film it." The former Batman and Batman Returns director went on to say that, "I think that it wasn't filmed because it was going to be an expensive movie and I think they were a little sensitive because of the bad press that they had screwed up the "Batman" franchise. Because of the corporate environment, all decisions are basically fear-based. So I think one of the aspects that led to their decision was that somehow they were going to f--- up another franchise."

When he was asked whether or not Warner Bros. was scared that Nicolas Cage wasn't the right person for the role Burton fired back, "that's what they said about Michael Keaton for "Batman." And, if they'd just allowed us to make the film, we could have done something interesting. They had a choice of "Superman" or "Wild, Wild West," and they opted for that and canned this one."

Other non-news...

The Internet Movie Database has since removed the title from their listings. Warner Bros. online still holds onto three domain names, supermanlives.com, superman-lives.com, and supermanreborn.com. All domain names go to the main Warner Bros. website.

NOVEMBER, 1999
Cinescape online

Cinescape online reports about an recent interview the 'Mr. Showbiz' website had with director Tim Burton. "I worked hard on Superman", recalled Burton. "I 'made' the movie only I didn't film it. You'd have to ask Warner Bros. why. It was going to be expensive, and they were a little sensitive that they had screwed up the Batman franchise. Corporate decisions are all fear-based decisions. They were afraid."

Although there has always been negative fan reaction to the choice of Nicolas Cage in the lead role, Burton also defended his choice saying, "That's what they said about Michael Keaton and Batman. If they would have allowed us to do it, it would have been interesting."

OCTOBER, 1999
Detour magazine

In a recent Detour magazine interview, Nicolas Cage spoke of his hopeful envolvement with the long delayed Superman movie. Cage stated, "Rarely does one have that kind of a stage to try to do something new. I realize that's a very scary position to be in, because you can fall flat on your face, but I was really up for it. I knew I would be taking an enormous chance playing a guy in a cape, but at the same time risks and chances were what I always wanted for myself." Cage went on to say, "And I was excited by the possibility that with Superman, who is so important to so many children around the world that I could maybe do something in that character to say, It's okay to be different."

Flix! Magazine (Wizard Magazine supplement)

A brand new supplement called Flix found in the November edition of Wizard Magazine reports . . . nothing new! The article states that "Nicolas Cage ('8mm") still wants to wear the red and blue tights. Young-turk directors Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour"), Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth") and Michael Bay ("Armageddon") have been courted by Warner to direct the pic, but so far none have accepted."

SEPTEMBER, 1999
AnotherUniverse.com

In an online article written by Matt Brady of AnotherUniverse.com there had been a copyright custody battle for Superman! Apparently "DC Comics stands to lose half the rights to Superman due to documents filed in the U.S. Copyright Office by heirs of the late Superman creator Jerry Siegel. His wife, Joanne and daughter, Laura Siegel Larson, revoked the transfer of copyright Siegel and his co-creator, the late Joe Shuster, granted DC Comics in 1938." What this now means is that Siegel's heirs have been entitled to half of the revenue from Superman starting April 16, 1999. If they wish, the Siegels can now produce their own Superman comics, television series, movies, or in any other crossover medium, and give DC Comics, Inc. half of the earnings. Another note is that as of the above date, if DC Comics and/or any of their affiliates produce a Superman related item the Siegel's also receive 50% of the earnings. It has been speculated that this could be one reason why it's taking the Superman Lives movie so long to get off the ground.

JULY, 1999
Wizard Magazine

In the August edition of Wizard Magazine an article entitled 'Superman V' states that "WB (since 1997) has offered the project to hot up-and-coming directors like Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour"), Michael Bay ("Armageddon") and Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth"), but no deals have been finalized."

Cinescape Online

In yet another Cinescape Online report Nicolas Cage has re-affirmed his desire to play the Man of Steel. "I've said that I will still make the movie when you guys are ready." said Cage, "I hope I can still do this because I think it will be a very enchanted movie." Cage hopes his performance will send a message to troubled youths. "It's OK to be different because Superman is different. If one child sees that and says 'maybe I'm Superman' then I've done my job."

JUNE, 1999
Cinescape Online

Cinescape Online reports that Bill Wisher (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Exorcist Prequel) has been brought on board to write a script for the film. Cinescape goes on to say that, "Wisher actually met and pitched his Superman movie idea to Nicolas Cage, suggesting that the potentially controversial actor is still up for playing the Last Son of Krypton.." Jon Peters apparently said that Tim Burton has permanently departed from the project. The parties involved won't be seeking out directors until a script is approved.

MAY, 1999
Warner Bros.

Perhaps the first true official word on the status of the Superman Lives project is unveiled by Warner Bros. on their website. It seems that Superman Lives has been put on hold indefinitely! They have added an extention to their yet inactive Superman Lives website at www.supermanlives.com/superman/update.html where an official statement has been posted.

FEBRUARY, 1999
Cinescape Magazine
January/February issue

In the January/February issue of Cinescape, Producer Jon Peters explains, "we're working on Superman now, which we're going to probably make next year." Peters reveals that the script is "good" and is penned by Dan (Freejack) Gilroy." Tim Burton will no longer be the director. We are now meeting with many, many directors. . .everybody wants to do it, and we would probably start shooting next summer for [release] the following July 4." Apparently Nicolas Cage is still slated to play Superman.

JANUARY, 1999
Wizard Magazine

According to the 'March' 1999 edition of Wizard magazine released in January, Mark Canton (former Warner Bros. exec. and reported creator of the Batman franchise) is back with the company after a brief stint with Sony Pictures. "I think the [Warner Bros. executives] didn't like the screenplay on 'Superman,' but they now do," said Canton. "Nic is still going to do it. That's what I hear. I don't think it's going to happen that soon, but I think in the next year or so, it's going to happen."

DECEMBER, 1998
Wizard Magazine

In yet another article from Wizard Magazine Don Price and Jenny Peters report that the on-again, off-again Superman Lives project is now back on with Nicolas Cage still in the lead role and with an anticipated release of Summer 2000! Producer Jon Peters apparently likes the new script written by Dan Gilroy ('Chasers,' 'Freejack'). "Tim Burton will no longer be the director," said Peters, "but we are currently meeting with many name directors and we will probably start shooting it next summer". Peters went on to say that, "I wanted an Academy Award-winning actor. I didn't just want a big, tall, handsome guy. I wanted someone who could make Superman work. . .and only Nic Cage can play him."
A source from Warner Bros. apparently said that this is just "speculation of the producer based on his enthusiasm and reaction to the new script. . .Everybody likes it but it still needs some work. No decisions have been made about anything."

SEPTEMBER, 1998
Wizard Magazine

According to the October edition of Wizard magazine "some industry sources feel that the project has been permanently tanked." Nicolas Cage is quoted as saying, "I wasn't really the type. . .I'm not your classic concept of what Superman should look like. I'm more Everyman, which is interesting to me. If Everyman is Superman, then that means that we're all Superman - I like that theme so much." He goes on to say, "I've been very accommodating to 'Superman,' and I've taken a lot of heat in the press on it. . .I'll remain loyal to it, because I think it's a tremendous challenge, and it's exciting. but I've moved on to other things."

Cinescape Magazine
"It wasn't kryptonite but the power of movie politics that finally grounded Superman Reborn" reported the September/October edition of Cinescape magazine. It seems that the project may have been shelved altogether and both Nicolas Cage and Tim Burton are moving on to other projects.

JULY, 1998
Starlog Magazine

According to an article in the July 1998 edition of Starlog magazine, the 'Superman Reborn' movie will happen but has been "delayed to allow for script revisions and rejiggering of the budget." Cage apparently has to complete two other films, Snake Eyes and 8 Millimeter, before starting on the Superman project. "I'm very excited about it", replied Cage, "I've not yet made a movie that children can go see."

MAY, 1998
Cinescape Magazine

The May/June edition of Cinescape magazine reports that the movie is up and running once again! Nicolas Cage is apparently locked into the lead role, and may do battle with Kevin Spacey who has been apparently bidding to play Lex Luthor. Tim Burton (director of Batman and Batman Returns) will apparently still be in the director's chair.

Superman Lives website. . . sort of.

Superman Lives is apparently the true working title for the new film. Warner Bros. has created an actual web address with this heading at www.supermanlives.com though all it does right now is link to the Warner Bros. site.

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