Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016):
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==Abandoned projects==
==Abandoned projects==
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===Superman V===
===Superman V===
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Before the failure of ''Superman IV'', Cannon Films considered producing a fifth film with Albert Pyun as director. Cannon's bankruptcy resulted in the film rights reverting to Ilya and Alexander Salkind.<ref>http://www.impossiblefunky.com/archives/issue_15/15_superman.asp</ref> Ilya Salkind wrote the story for ''Superman V'', also known as ''Superman: The New Movie'' with ''Superboy'' writers Cary Bates and Mark Jones in the early-1990s. The story had Superman dying and resurrecting in the shrunken, bottled Kryptonian city of [[Kandor]]. Salkind, Bates and Jones developed two drafts of the script, with Christopher Reeve set to reprise the title role. Reeve's paralysis in 1995 made any further development of sequels involving him in the starring role impossible. The series went dormant for the following nineteen years.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Superman_V Superman V]''
===Superman Reborn===
===Superman Reborn===
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With the success of ''"The Death of Superman"'' comic book storyline, Warner Bros. purchased the film rights of Superman from the Salkinds in early 1993, handing the project to producer Jon Peters. The studio did not want to use ''Superman: The New Movie'', and Peters hired Jonathan Lemkin to write a new script. Warner Bros. instructed Lemkin to write the new Superman film for mainstream audiences, a style for the MTV Generation of the 1990s. Lemkin's script featured Lois Lane and Clark Kent with relationship troubles, and Superman's battle with [[Doomsday (Monster)|Doomsday]]. When Superman professes his love to Lois, his life force jumps between them, just as he dies, giving Lois a virgin birth. Their child, who grows 21-years-old in three weeks, becomes the resurrected Superman, and saves the world. Warner Bros. did not like the script because of the similar underlying themes with Bruce Wayne's obligations of heroism found in ''Batman Forever''.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Superman_Reborn Superman Reborn]''
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Peters hired Gregory Poirier to rewrite the script. Poirer's December 1995 script had [[Brainiac]] creating Doomsday, infused with "Kryptonite blood". Superman has romance problems with Lois Lane, and visits a psychiatrist before he is killed by Doomsday. An alien named Cadmus, a victim of Brainiac, steals his corpse. Superman is resurrected and teams with Cadmus to defeat Brainiac. Powerless, Superman wears a robotic suit that mimics his old powers until he can learn to use his powers again on his own. Other villains included [[Parasite]] and [[Silver Banshee]]. Poirier's script impressed Warner Bros., but Kevin Smith was hired to rewrite. Smith thought Poirier's script did not respect the Superman comic book properly, and referred to it in ''An Evening with Kevin Smith'' as being "like the Batman TV show version of a Superman movie; very campy."
===Superman Lives===
===Superman Lives===
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Kevin Smith pitched Peters his story outline in August 1996, and was allowed to write the screenplay under certain conditions: Peters wanted Superman to wear an all-black suit, and also did not want Superman to fly, arguing that Superman would "look like an overgrown Boy Scout." Smith wrote Superman flying as "a red-and-blue blur in flight, creating a sonic boom every time he flew."<ref>http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/superman-lives-script.html</ref> Peters also wanted Superman to fight a giant spider for the climactic showdown. Smith accepted the terms, realizing that he was being hired to execute a preordained idea. Peters and Warner Bros. also had Smith write a scene involving Brainiac fighting polar bears at the [[Fortress of Solitude]], and Peters wanted Brainiac to give Lex Luthor a space dog. Peters' additional ''Star Wars'' similarities were due to the recent rerelease of the original trilogy of the franchise, such as Peters' insistence that Brainiac's robot assistant L-Ron was to be voiced by Star Wars alum, Dwight Ewell, calling the character, "a gay R2-D2 with attitude." Smith's draft (titled Superman Lives) had Brainiac sending Doomsday to kill Superman, as well as blocking out the sun to make Superman powerless, as Superman is fueled by sunlight. Brainiac teams up with Lex Luthor, but Superman is resurrected by a Kryptonian robot, the Eradicator. Brainiac wishes to possess the Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in armor formed from the Eradicator itself until his powers return, courtesy of sunbeams, and defeats Brainiac.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Superman_Lives Superman Lives]''
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Robert Rodriguez was offered the chance to direct, but turned down the offer due to other commitments, despite liking Smith's script. Smith originally suggested Tim Burton to direct his script and Burton signed on with a pay-or-play contract. Warner Bros. set a theatrical release date in the summer of 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in ''Action Comics''. Nicolas Cage was cast as Clark Kent/Superman, believing he could "re-conceive the character." Kevin Spacey was approached for the role of Lex Luthor, while Tim Allen claimed he was in talks for Brainiac, a role heavily considered for Jim Carrey. Courteney Cox was reported as a casting possibility for Lois Lane, while Smith confirmed Chris Rock was set for Jimmy Olsen. Filming was originally set to begin in early 1998. Burton hired Wesley Strick to rewrite Smith's script. Smith was disappointed, stating, "The studio was happy with what I was doing. Then Tim Burton got involved, and when he signed his pay-or-play deal, he turned around and said he wanted to do his version of Superman." Strick's rewrite featured Superman as an existentialist, thinking of himself to be an outsider on Earth. Superman is threatened by Brainiac and Lex Luthor, who later amalgamate into "Lexiac," described by Strick as "a schizo/scary mega-villain." Superman is later resurrected by the power of 'K,' a natural force representing the spirit of Krypton, as he defeats Lexiac. Burton chose Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as his primary filming location for [[Metropolis]]. A minor piece of the [[Krypton]] set was constructed but then destroyed, and Cage had even attended a costume fitting. The studio was also considering changing the title ''Superman Lives'' back to ''Superman Reborn''. Deeming Wesley Strick's script too expensive, Warner Bros. enlisted the help of Dan Gilroy to rewrite it into something more economically feasible. Gilroy lowered the budget set by Strick's draft. However, the studio was still less willing to fast track production, due to financial reasons with other film properties. Ultimately, Warner Bros. chose to put the film on hold in April 1998, and Burton left to direct ''Sleepy Hollow''. Disappointed by the lack of progress on the film's production, aspiring screenwriter/comic book fan Alex Ford was able to have a script of his (titled ''Superman: The Man of Steel'') accepted at the studio's offices in September 1998. Ford pitched his idea for a film series consisting of seven installments, and his approach impressed Warner Bros. and Peters, though he was later given a farewell due to creative differences. With Gilroy's script, Peters offered the director's position to Ralph Zondag, Michael Bay, Shekhar Kapur and Martin Campbell though they all turned down the offer. In June 1999, William Wisher, Jr. was hired to write a new script, and Nicolas Cage assisted on story elements. Cage dropped out of the project in June 2000. Peters offered Will Smith the role of Superman, but the actor turned it down over ethnicity concerns.
===Batman vs. Superman (early 2000s)===
===Batman vs. Superman (early 2000s)===
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In August 2001, Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled ''Batman vs. Superman'', attaching Petersen as director. Akiva Goldsman was hired to rewrite Walker's draft which was codenamed ''Asylum''. Goldsman's draft, dated June 21, 2002, introduced Bruce Wayne attempting to shake all of the demons in his life after his five-year retirement from crime-fighting. Dick Grayson, [[Alfred Pennyworth]], and [[James Gordon|Commissioner Gordon]] are all dead. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is down on his luck and in despair after his divorce from Lois Lane. Clark serves as Bruce's best man at his wedding to the beautiful and lovely Elizabeth Miller. After Elizabeth is killed by the Joker at the honeymoon, Bruce is forced to don the Batsuit once more, tangling a plot which involves Lex Luthor, while Clark begins a romance with Lana Lang in Smallville and tries to pull Bruce back. In return, Bruce blames Clark for Elizabeth's death, and the two go against one another. Part of the script took place in Smallville, where Clark goes into exile with Lana Lang. However, Lex Luthor is held to be responsible for the entire plot of Batman and Superman destroying each other. The two decide to team up and stop Luthor. Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman. Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Batman_vs._Superman_.28early_2000s.29 Batman vs. Superman]''
===Superman: Flyby===
===Superman: Flyby===
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In February 2002, J. J. Abrams was hired to write a new screenplay. It would ignore "The Death of Superman" storyline, and instead, it would reboot the film series with an origin story, going under the title of ''Superman: Flyby''. Abrams' script was later put on hold. Abrams then submitted another draft for ''Superman: Flyby''. Superman: Flyby was an origin story that included Krypton besieged by a civil war between Jor-El and his corrupt brother, Kata-Zor. Before Kata-Zor sentences Jor-El to prison, Kal-El is launched to Earth to fulfill a prophecy. Adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent, he forms a romance with Lois Lane in the Daily Planet. However, Lois is more concerned with exposing Lex Luthor, written as a government agent obsessed with UFO phenomena. Clark reveals himself to the world as Superman, bringing Kata-Zor's son, Ty-Zor, and three other Kryptonians to Earth. Superman is defeated and killed, and visits Jor-El (who committed suicide on Krypton while in prison) in Kryptonian heaven. Resurrected, he returns to Earth and defeats the four Kryptonians, while the script ends with Superman off to Krypton, leaving a cliffhanger for a sequel. Brett Ratner was hired to direct in September 2002, originally expressing an interest in casting an unknown for the lead role, while filming was to start sometime in late 2003. Ratner approached Josh Hartnett and Jude Law as Superman, but conceded that finding a famous actor for the title role had proven difficult because of contractual obligations to appear in sequels. Hartnett was offered $100 million for a three-picture deal, but turned down the offer. Although ''Superman: Flyby'' was being met with a budget exceeding $200 million, the studio was still adamant for a summer 2004 release date. Christopher Walken was in negotiations for Perry White, while Ratner expressed an interest in casting Anthony Hopkins as Jor-El, and Ralph Fiennes as Lex Luthor. Christopher Reeve was to be a project consultant, citing [[Tom Welling]] as an ideal candidate. In addition Paul Walker was offered the role, while Ashton Kutcher screen tested and Brendan Fraser, Matt Bomer and David Boreanaz auditioned. Victor Webster did an entire screentest that included wardrobe as both Clark Kent and Superman, while James Marsden met with director. Kutcher decided not to accept the role. Joel Edgerton (who turned down the chance to audition as Superman) auditioned for Ty-Zor, before Ratner dropped out of the project in March 2003, blaming casting difficulties, and violent disagreements with Jon Peters.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Superman:_Flyby Superman: Flyby]''
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McG returned as director, while Fraser expressed interest, but had fears of typecasting.Moreover Selma Blair was in talks for Lois Lane. McG approached Shia LaBeouf for Jimmy Olsen, with an interest to cast an unknown for Superman, Scarlett Johansson as Lois Lane and Johnny Depp for Lex Luthor. The director stated in a 2012 interview that Robert Downey, Jr. had been cast as Lex Luthor. McG also shot test footage with several candidates, including Jason Behr, Henry Cavill, Jared Padalecki and Michael Cassidy before dropping, blaming budgetary concerns and filming locations. Abrams lobbied for the chance to direct his script, but Warner Bros. replaced McG with Bryan Singer in July 2004, resulting in ''Superman Returns''.
===Superman Returns' sequel===
===Superman Returns' sequel===
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In February 2006, four months before the release of ''Superman Returns'', Warner Bros. announced a mid-2009 theatrical release date for a sequel, with Bryan Singer reprising his directing duties. Routh, Bosworth, Spacey,Huntington, Langella and Leabu were to reprise their roles. Due to other commitments, Singer dropped out. Writer Michael Dougherty wanted the sequel to be "action packed", featuring "other [[Kryptonians]]" with Brainiac and Bizarro also considered for primary villains. The "[[New Krypton]]" landmass floating in space at the end of Superman Returns would have served as a plot device. Although Superman Returns received mostly positive reviews, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures were disappointed by the film's box office return. Paul Levitz, president of [[DC Comics]], expected Routh to reprise the title role from ''Superman Returns'' before his contract for a sequel expired in 2009. However, with Warner Bros. deciding to reboot the film series, Singer dropped out.
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''See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_in_film#Proposed_sequel Superman Returns' sequel]''
==Reboot==
==Reboot==
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===Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)===
===Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)===
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On June 10, 2013, it was announced that director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer will both be returning for a ''Man of Steel'' sequel which is being fast tracked by Warner Bros. Goyer had previously signed a three-film deal, which includes ''Man of Steel'', its sequel, and a ''Justice League'' film featuring Superman. Christopher Nolan has announced he will be attached as executive producer. Zack Snyder confirmed that the sequel to Man of Steel in 2015 will have Superman and Batman meeting for the first time in a cinematic format. Goyer and Snyder will co-write the story, and Goyer will write the script. The film is set for release in theaters May 6, 2016. On December 18, 2013, it was announced that screenwriter Chris Terrio will rewrite the script. Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne are confirmed to reprise their roles. On August 22, 2013, it was announced the casting of Ben Affleck as [[Bruce Wayne|Batman/Bruce Wayne]]. On December 4, 2013, it was reported that Gal Gadot was cast as [[Diana of Themyscira|Wonder Woman/Diana Prince]]. On January 31, 2014, it was reported that Jesse Eisenberg was cast as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons was cast as [[Alfred Pennyworth]]. On April 3, 2014, it was announced that actors Holly Hunter, Callan Mulvey and Tao Okamoto have joined the cast and they will all portray new original characters, specifically created for the film. On April 24, 2014, it was reported that Ray Fisher was cast as [[Victor Stone|Cyborg/Victor Stone]]. On June 16, 2014, it was confirmed that Jason Momoa has been cast as [[Aquaman|Aquaman/Arthur Curry]].
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On June 10, 2013, it was announced that director Zack Snyder and screenwriter David S. Goyer will both be returning for a ''Man of Steel'' sequel which is being fast tracked by Warner Bros. Goyer had previously signed a three-film deal, which includes ''Man of Steel'', its sequel, and a ''Justice League'' film featuring Superman. Christopher Nolan has announced he will be attached as executive producer. Zack Snyder confirmed that the sequel to Man of Steel in 2015 will have Superman and Batman meeting for the first time in a cinematic format. Goyer and Snyder will co-write the story, and Goyer will write the script. The film is set for release in theaters May 6, 2016. On December 18, 2013, it was announced that screenwriter Chris Terrio will rewrite the script. Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne are confirmed to reprise their roles. On August 22, 2013, it was announced the casting of Ben Affleck as [[Bruce Wayne|Batman/Bruce Wayne]]. On December 4, 2013, it was reported that Gal Gadot was cast as [[Diana of Themyscira|Wonder Woman/Diana Prince]]. On January 31, 2014, it was reported that Jesse Eisenberg was cast as Lex Luthor and Jeremy Irons was cast as [[Alfred Pennyworth]]. Holly Hunter was cast as a U.S. Senator, while Tao Okamoto was cast as Luthor's assistant [[Tess Mercer#In the comics|Mercy Graves]]. Callan Mulvey and Scoot McNairy were cast in unspecified roles. On April 24, 2014, it was reported that Ray Fisher was cast as [[Victor Stone|Cyborg/Victor Stone]]. On June 16, 2014, it was confirmed that Jason Momoa has been cast as [[Aquaman|Aquaman/Arthur Curry]].
==References in ''Smallville''==
==References in ''Smallville''==