In the late 1990s, Nicolas Cage scrapped his Superman movie which had been planned

Superman fans are buzzing about Nicolas Cage’s potential return to the iconic role in a new movie produced by DC Films. But unbeknownst to many, Cage was originally cast as the Man of Steel in a wildly bizarre 1990s film that never saw the light of day.

The scrapped Superman project would have featured Cage battling a giant radioactive spider and existential Lex Luthor played by Kevin Spacey. Let’s explore the strange saga of Nicolas Cage’s doomed quest to play his childhood hero.

The lifelong obsession of 1990s Nicolas Cage with Superman

Nicolas Cage’s fascination with Superman dates back to childhood when he wore out his Superman #1 comic. As his career took off, Cage amassed a vast collection of Superman memorabilia worth millions.

Landing the role of his favorite superhero became Cage’s dream. When Tim Burton signed on to direct a new Superman’s film in the 1990s, Cage aggressively lobbied for the part.

Nicolas Cage Superman’s Quirky Artistic Vision by Tim Burton

Acclaimed gothic director Tim Burton brought his signature offbeat style to the project. His unique take focused on Superman’s isolation and feeling like an outcast.

Burton imagined a highly stylized art deco Metropolis with Lex Luthor as a warped intellectual advising Superman. The tenor aligned well with Cage’s equally quirky intensity.

The Film’s Villain – Man-Spider Hybrid Monster

In a major departure from Superman canon, Burton designed the main villain as a mutated human/spider hybrid dubbed “The Man-Spider.”

Concept art showed a monster with a bulging cranium, glowing red eyes, sinewy spider limbs and human torso. This reflected Burton’s taste for dark, creepy characters.

Superman as envisioned by Nicolas Cage

Nic Cage planned an edgy, angst-filled take on movie evoking his signature brand of disturbed and explosive characters. In interviews, he described his Superman as “a guy who is drinking gin in the morning and has stubble.”

Costume tests showed Cage with long hair parted to reveal the Superman’s curl and a bold all-black uniform minus the classic red underwear on the outside.

Behind-the-Scenes Drama Dooms Production

Just weeks before filming was slated to start in 1998, Warner Bros. had massive reservations about the direction Burton was taking and pulled the plug. Rumors indicated concerns over keeping Superman kid-friendly.

Pre-production collisions between Burton and producer Jon Peters also stymied the film. Their joint departures coincided with WB getting cold feet over the ambitious $200 million budget.

A surreal speech by Tim Burton about a failed project

Years later, test footage surfaced of an impassioned Tim Burton addressing crew members upon the film’s cancellation. In the bizarre video, Burton compares Superman to a child in a magenta baby carriage bothered by a little girl in Japan.

The surreal metaphor perfectly encapsulated the wildly unconventional and doomed nature of Burton’s vision for reinventing the canonical superhero.

The unrealized dream of Nicolas Cage was crushed

For Cage, the cancellation after years of anticipation was professionally devastating. In interviews, Cage accused Warner Bros. of “stacking the deck” against Burton’s film succeeding. The studio disagreed, arguing it was simply not gelling.

Missing his chance to finally play Superman on the big screen left Cage so embittered that he named his son Kal-El, Superman’s Kryptonian name.

Failed Movie Inspires Infamous Leaked Costume Photos

In the aftermath, photos leaked of Nic Cage wearing test versions of the black Superman’s costume and long-haired Clark Kent wig.

The bizarre pictures went viral online as infamous examples of Cage’s infamous overacting. They highlight how perfectly the doomed film encapsulated Cage’s unhinged performance style.

Superman Lives Forever Immortalized by Tim Burton

Although it was never produced, Tim Burton’s imagined Superman project earned a cult following. A 2015 documentary titled The Death of “Superman Lives”: What Happened? explored the movie’s downfall.

The immersive documentary and behind-the-scenes footage allowed fans to experience Burton’s twisted take on the Man of Steel and Cage’s tragically unfulfilled performance.

Legacy and Influence on Later Superman Films

Despite its failure, it Lives influenced later cinematic renditions of the superhero. Burton’s black-suit design resurfaced in Superman Returns and the new villain Doomsday resembled early Man-Spider drawings.

The film brought greater darkness and moral ambiguity to the Superman ethos carried into later productions.

Teen Titans Go Starring Nicolas Cage as Superman!

In a surprise turn of events, Nic Cage fulfilled his Superman destiny by voicing the character in the 2018 animated film Teen Titans GO! To The Movies.

Cage called the role “a dream come true.” While not the R-rated Burton adaptation, Cage’s exuberant voiceover captured his passion for the superhero.

Prospects of Cage Donning Superman Cape Again

On the heels of Michael Keaton’s DC return in The Flash, fans are speculating Nicolas Cage may finally get another shot at it. Insiders hint at appearances in live-action and animated projects.

For Cage, playing his lifelong hero remains unfinished business. Over 20 years later, the time could be right for Hollywood biggest Superman’s stan to soar as the Man of Steel.

Conclusion

The oddball tale of Nicolas Cage’s first ill-fated quest to play Superman perfectly encapsulated his eccentric persona. Though the 1990s film met its doom, its legacy persevered through leaked treasures like Tim Burton’s surreal speech and Cage’s garish costume tests. And after voicing Superman in animation, hopes remain high that Cage will get one more chance to don the iconic cape he was born to wear.

FAQ’s

When was Nicolas Cage originally cast as Superman?

During the late 1990s, Tim Burton cast Nicolas Cage in a new Superman film, Superman Lives.

What was the plot of the scrapped movie?

The film would have featured Cage as an angst-ridden Superman’s battling a mutant spider monster dubbed The Man-Spider, created by Burton. Lex Luthor was set to be a warped philosophical villain played by Kevin Spacey.

Why was the Tim Burton Superman’s movie cancelled?

Warner Bros. cancelled the film just weeks before shooting was set to start in 1998 because the studio had concerns over the dark tone and $200 million budget. Conflicts between Burton and the producers also doomed the project.

What was Nic Cage’s reaction to the film’s cancellation?

Cage was bitterly disappointed to lose his dream role. He accused the studio of sabotaging the film and named his son Kal-El out of his affinity for Superman.

Did any footage or photos leak from the unmade movie?

Yes, test footage surfaced showing Cage in a long-haired Superman’s wig and an all-black costume. These infamous leaked images went viral online as examples of Cage’s legendary acting eccentricities.

Did Cage ever get to play Superman?

In 2018, Cage finally voiced Superman in the animated Teen Titans GO! To The Movies. He called the role “a dream come true” after losing out on playing Superman over 20 years earlier.