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((short description|Film adaptations of DC Comics' Superman franchise))
((Further|Superman|Superman in other media))
((Use mdy dates|date=November 2021))

[[File:Superman S symbol.svg|thumb|right|Official logo]]
[[DC Comics]]'s [[Superman (franchise)|''Superman'' franchise]], based on [[Superman|the character]] of the same name created by [[Jerry Siegel]] and [[Joe Shuster]] in June 1938,  has seen the release of various films since its inception.<ref>((Cite web|title=Superman on Screen: A History of Superman Movies|url=https://www.librarypoint.org/blogs/post/superman-on-screen/|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=www.librarypoint.org|date=March 26, 2019 |language=en-US))</ref> The character debuted in cinemas in a series of [[animated shorts]] beginning in 1941, and then was the protagonist of two [[movie serials]] in 1948 and 1950. An independent studio, [[Lippert Pictures]], released the first Superman feature film, ''[[Superman and the Mole Men]]'', starring [[George Reeves]], in 1951. In 1973, the [[film rights]] to the Superman character were purchased by [[Ilya Salkind]], [[Alexander Salkind]], and [[Pierre Spengler]]. After numerous scripts and several years in development, [[Richard Donner]] was hired as their director, and he shot two films, ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' (1978) (marketed as ''Superman: The Movie''), and ''[[Superman II]]'' (1980), at the same time, both starring [[Christopher Reeve]]. Donner had already shot eighty percent of ''Superman II'' before it was decided to finish shooting the first film. The Salkinds fired Donner after ''Superman''(('))s release and commissioned [[Richard Lester]] as the director to finish ''Superman II''. Lester returned to direct ''[[Superman III]]'' (1983). The Salkinds also produced the related spin-off ''[[Supergirl (1984 film)|Supergirl]]'' (1984). They then sold the rights to [[The Cannon Group|Cannon Films]], which produced the poorly reviewed ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' (1987). Ilya Salkind commissioned a fifth ''Superman'' script before Warner Bros. acquired the rights entirely in 1993.

Over the course of 11 years, Warner Bros. developed and then cancelled three projects: [[Tim Burton]]'s ''Superman Lives'', which would have starred [[Nicolas Cage]]; [[Wolfgang Petersen]]'s ''Batman vs. Superman''; and the [[J. J. Abrams]]-scripted ''Superman: Flyby'' which went between directors [[McG|Joseph "McG" Nichols]] and [[Brett Ratner]]). In 2004, the studio hired [[Bryan Singer]] to take over the films, and released ''[[Superman Returns]]'' in 2006, starring newcomer [[Brandon Routh]]. Donner's [[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut|director's cut for ''Superman II'']] was also released that year. Despite positive reviews, Warner Bros. was disappointed with the financial performance of ''Superman Returns'', and canceled Singer's proposed sequel, which would have been released in 2009. The studio nearly started production of a [[Justice League]] film with [[George Miller (filmmaker)|George Miller]] directing and [[D. J. Cotrona]] as Superman for a 2009 release, but it was shelved at the last minute in 2008.

The film series was [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]]ed in 2013 with ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]'', directed by [[Zack Snyder]] with [[Henry Cavill]] starring as Superman. ''Man of Steel'' launched what became known as the [[DC Extended Universe]], a cinematic franchise intended to rival the highly successful [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]. Cavill next appeared as Superman in the DCEU films ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'' (2016) and ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017) (both again directed by Snyder), and in the director's cut of ''Justice League'', ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League]]'' (2021); he then made a cameo appearance in the mid-credits scene of [[Black Adam (film)|''Black Adam'']] (2022). ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' (2023) featured Superman cameos portrayed by Henry Cavill, [[Nicolas Cage]], [[George Reeves]], and [[Christopher Reeve]]. [[Sasha Calle]], along with [[Helen Slater]], appeared as Supergirl in the film.

A new film starring the character, titled simply ''[[Superman (2025 film)|Superman]]'', is scheduled for release in July 2025. Written and directed by [[James Gunn]], and co-produced by Gunn and [[Peter Safran]], it is intended to be the first live-action film of the [[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]] (DCU) media franchise and shared universe. [[David Corenswet]] has been cast as Superman for the film.

==List of films==
((Unreferenced section|date=September 2018))
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
|-
! Film
! U.S. release date
! Director
! Lead
! Story by
! Screenplay by
! Produced by
! Music by
! Distributor
|-
! colspan="9" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Early films
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman (serial)|Superman]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1948|1|5|))
| [[Spencer Gordon Bennet]] and [[Thomas Carr (director)|Thomas Carr]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Kirk Alyn]]
| colspan="2" | Lewis Clay, Royal K. Cole, [[Arthur Hoerl]], [[George H. Plympton]] and [[Joseph F. Poland]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Sam Katzman]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Mischa Bakaleinikoff]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Columbia Pictures]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Atom Man vs. Superman]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1950|7|20|))
| Spencer Gordon Bennet
| colspan="2" | David Mathews, George H. Plympton and Joseph F. Poland
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman and the Mole-Men]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1951|11|6|))
| [[Lee Sholem]]
| [[George Reeves]]
| colspan="2" | [[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Robert J. Maxwell]] and [[Whitney Ellsworth]] (collectively credited under the pseudonym "Richard Fielding")
| [[Barney Sarecky|Barney A. Sarecky]]
| [[Darrell Calker]]
| [[Lippert Pictures]]
|-
! colspan="9" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | 1978-1987 film series
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1978|12|15|))
| [[Richard Donner]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Christopher Reeve]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Mario Puzo]]
| Mario Puzo, [[David Newman (screenwriter)|David Newman]], [[Leslie Newman]] and [[Robert Benton]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Pierre Spengler]]
| [[John Williams]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Warner Bros.]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman II]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1981|06|19|))
| rowspan="2" | [[Richard Lester]] 
| Mario Puzo, David Newman, and [[Leslie Newman]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Ken Thorne]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman III]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1983|6|17|))
| colspan="2" | David Newman and Leslie Newman
| [[Ilya Salkind]] and [[Pierre Spengler]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Supergirl (1984 film)|Supergirl]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1984|11|21|))
| [[Jeannot Szwarc]]
| [[Helen Slater]]
| colspan="2" | [[David Odell]]
| Timothy Burrill
| [[Jerry Goldsmith]]
| [[Tri-Star Pictures]] (United States)<br>[[Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment]] (United Kingdom)
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace|Superman IV:<br />The Quest for Peace]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|1987|7|24|))
| [[Sidney J. Furie]]
| Christopher Reeve
| [[Lawrence Konner]], [[Mark Rosenthal (screenwriter)|Mark Rosenthal]] and [[Christopher Reeve]]
| Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal
| [[Menahem Golan]] and [[Yoram Globus]]
| John Williams<br>[[Alexander Courage]]
| rowspan="3" | Warner Bros.
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman Returns]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2006|6|28|))
| [[Bryan Singer]]
| [[Brandon Routh]]
| [[Michael Dougherty]], [[Dan Harris (screenwriter)|Dan Harris]] and Bryan Singer
| Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris
| [[Jon Peters]], Bryan Singer and [[Gilbert Adler]]
| [[John Ottman]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut|Superman II:<br />The Richard Donner Cut]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2006|11|28|))
| Richard Donner
| Christopher Reeve
| Mario Puzo, David Newman, and [[Leslie Newman]]
| Mario Puzo
| Pierre Spengler
| John Williams
|-
! colspan="9" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | [[DC Extended Universe]] films
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2013|6|14|))
| rowspan="2" | [[Zack Snyder]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Henry Cavill]]
| [[David S. Goyer]] and [[Christopher Nolan]]
| David S. Goyer
| Christopher Nolan, [[Charles Roven]], [[Emma Thomas]] and [[Deborah Snyder]]
| [[Hans Zimmer]]
| rowspan="3" | Warner Bros.
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice|Batman v Superman:<br />Dawn of Justice]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2016|3|25|))
| colspan="2" | [[Chris Terrio]] and David S. Goyer
| Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder
| Hans Zimmer<br>[[Junkie XL]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2017|11|17))
| Zack Snyder((efn|Snyder was the director during principal photography, but was replaced by [[Joss Whedon]] during post-production. Snyder retained directorial credit for the finished film,<ref name="JLDirectorCredit">((cite web |last=Strauss |first=Bob |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Joss Whedon brought "own flavor" to "Justice League" after Zack Snyder left |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2017/11/15/joss-whedon-brought-own-flavor-to-justice-league-after-zack-snyder-family-tragedy/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627144406/https://www.dailynews.com/2017/11/15/joss-whedon-brought-own-flavor-to-justice-league-after-zack-snyder-family-tragedy/ |archive-date=June 27, 2018 |access-date=June 27, 2018 |website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]))</ref> though reports have indicated Whedon reshot a majority of the film. Consequently, Snyder released a director's cut in 2021.<ref name="ZSJL-THR">((cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=May 20, 2020 |title='It Will Be an Entirely New Thing': Zack Snyder's $20M-Plus "Justice League" Cut Plans Revealed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601065043/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102 |archive-date=June 1, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>))
| Zack Snyder & Chris Terrio
| Chris Terrio and [[Joss Whedon]]
| Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and [[Geoff Johns]]
| [[Danny Elfman]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League|Zack Snyder's<br />Justice League]]''
| style="text-align:left" | ((Start date|2021|3|18))
| Zack Snyder
| Zack Snyder, Chris Terrio and [[Will Beall]]
| Chris Terrio
| Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder
| Junkie XL
| [[HBO Max]]
|-
! colspan="9" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |[[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]] films
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |''[[Superman (2025 film)|Superman]]''
| ((Start date|2025|7|11))
| [[James Gunn]]
| [[David Corenswet]]
| colspan="2" |James Gunn
| James Gunn and [[Peter Safran]]
| [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]
| rowspan="2" |Warner Bros.
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |''[[Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow]]''
| colspan="2" ((TBA))
| [[Milly Alcock]]
| ((TBA))
| [[Ana Nogueira]]
| ((TBA))
| ((TBA))
|-
|}

=== Direct-to-video, cameos, and others ===
* 1954: ''[[Stamp Day for Superman]]'' — a short film produced for the [[United States Department of the Treasury|U.S. Treasury]] to promote "Stamp Day", featuring [[George Reeves]] as [[Superman]] and [[Noel Neill]] as [[Lois Lane]].
* 1992: ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation]]'' – direct-to-video, featuring [[Maurice LaMarche]] as Superman.
* 2006: ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]'' — the director's cut of ''Superman II'', featuring around 80% new footage originally shot by director [[Richard Donner]], including material featuring [[Marlon Brando]].
* 2006: ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]'' — [[direct-to-video]] film utilizing character designs from ''[[Superman: The Animated Series]]''; starring [[Tim Daly]] and [[Dana Delany]].
* 2017: ''DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon'' — animated film in which Superman is voiced by [[Kenichi Suzumura]].<ref>((cite web|title=サイト名|url=http://dc-taka.com/character/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/|access-date=April 4, 2018|website=dc-taka.com|language=ja|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422202000/http://dc-taka.com/character/%E3%82%B9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%91%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/|url-status=dead))</ref>
* 2018: ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]'' — animated film in which Superman is voiced by [[Nicolas Cage]].
* 2019: ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]'' — part of the [[DC Extended Universe]] in which Superman cameos, portrayed using Ryan Hadley as a stand-in for Henry Cavill.
* 2022: ''[[DC League of Super-Pets]]'' — animated film in which Superman is voiced by [[John Krasinski]].
* 2022: ''[[Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons]]'' – direct-to-video film in which Superman is voiced by [[Travis Willingham]].
* 2022: ''[[Black Adam (film)|Black Adam]]'' — part of the DC Extended Universe in which Superman cameos, played by [[Henry Cavill]].
* 2023: ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' — Superman cameos are portrayed by Henry Cavill, [[Nicolas Cage]], [[Christopher Reeve]] and [[George Reeves]]. [[Sasha Calle]] stars as Supergirl along with a cameo by [[Helen Slater]].

==== Lego DC Comics films ====
* 2013: ''[[Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Super Heroes Unite]]'' — Superman is voiced by [[Travis Willingham]].
* 2014: ''[[The Lego Movie]]'' — Superman appears brieftly, voiced by [[Channing Tatum]].
* 2014: ''Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman Be-Leaguered'' — TV special featuring [[Nolan North]] as Superman.
* 2015: ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League]]'' — direct-to-video with Superman voiced by Nolan North.
* 2015: ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom]]'' — direct-to-video with Nolan North reprising his role as Superman.
* 2016: ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash]]'' – direct-to-video with Nolan North reprising his role.
* 2017: ''[[The Lego Batman Movie]]'' — animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role.
* 2019: ''[[The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part]]'' — animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role.

==== Unofficial adaptations and parodies ====
* 1960: ''[[Return of Mr. Superman]]'' — Indian [[Hindi]]-language retelling of Superman, with the title role played by [[Paidi Jairaj]].
* 1979: ''The Return of Superman'' ([[Turkish language|Turkish]]: ''Süpermen Dönüyor''; also known as "Turkish Superman") — a [[Cinema of Turkey|Turkish]] adaptation directed by Kunt Tulgar and starring Tayfun Demir as Superman.<ref>((IMDb title|id=0392818|title=The Return of Superman ''(1979)''<nowiki/>))</ref><ref>((cite web|author=+Brandon_Tenold|title=Brandon Tenold: Turkish Superman|url=http://channelawesome.com/brandon-tenold-turkish-superman/|work=Channel Awesome))</ref>
* 1980: ''[[Superman (1980 film)|Superman]]'' — Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language film starring [[N. T. Rama Rao]] as Superman.<ref name="indiansp">((Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 31, 2013|title=Meet Krrish's predecessors: Nagin, Ajooba and Superman|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/meet-krrishs-predecessors-nagin-ajooba-and-superman-1202615.html|website=Firstpost))</ref>
* 1987: ''[[Superman (1987 film)|Superman]]'' — Indian Hindi-language film with [[Puneet Issar]] as Superman.<ref name="indiansp" />
* 2012: [[The Death and Return of Superman (film)|''The Death and Return of Superman'']] — short film released on YouTube by writer [[Max Landis]].

==== Animated Original Movies universe ====
The [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]] is a [[direct-to-video]] animated film series that often features Superman in a leading or supporting role.
{| class="wikitable"
|+DC Universe Animated Original Movies
!Title
!Release date
!Voice actor
!Notes
|-
|2007
|''[[Superman: Doomsday]]''
|[[Adam Baldwin]]
|
|-
|2008
|''[[Justice League: The New Frontier]]''
|[[Kyle MacLachlan]]
|
|-
|2009
|''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]''
|[[Tim Daly]]
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |2010
|''[[Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths]]''
|[[Mark Harmon]]
|
|-
|''[[Superman/Batman: Apocalypse]]''
|Tim Daly
|
|-
|''[[Batman: Under the Red Hood]]''
|N/A
|Superman is only referenced through [[Amazo]].
|-
|''[[Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam]]''
|[[George Newbern]]
|short film
|-
|2011
|''[[All-Star Superman (film)|All-Star Superman]]''
|[[James Denton]]
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2012
|''[[Justice League: Doom]]''
|Tim Daly
|
|-
|''[[Superman vs. The Elite]]''
|George Newbern
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2013
|''[[Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (film)|Batman: The Dark Knight Returns]]'' (part 2)
|[[Mark Valley]]
|Superman only appears in the second part of this two-part adaptation of [[The Dark Knight Returns|the graphic novel]].
|-
|''[[Superman: Unbound]]''
|[[Matt Bomer]]
|
|-
|''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]''
|[[Sam Daly]]
|Sam Daly is the son of Tim Daly.
|-
| rowspan="2" |2014
|''[[JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time]]''
|[[Peter Jessop]]
|
|-
|''[[Justice League: War]]'' 
|[[Alan Tudyk]]
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2015
|''[[Justice League: Throne of Atlantis]]''
|[[Jerry O'Connell]]
|
|-
|''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]''
|[[Benjamin Bratt]]
|Features a reimagined version of Superman who is the son of [[General Zod]].
|-
|''[[Justice League vs. Teen Titans]]''<ref>((cite news|last=Sands|first=Rich|date=January 18, 2016|title=Roll Call: Meet the Cast of Justice League vs. Teen Titans|newspaper=Tv Insider|url=http://www.tvinsider.com/article/66981/meet-the-cast-of-justice-league-vs-teen-titans-dc-comics-animated-movie/|access-date=January 18, 2016|publisher=TVInsider.com))</ref>
| rowspan="5" |Jerry O'Connell
|
|-
|2017
|''[[Justice League Dark (film)|Justice League Dark]]''<ref>((cite news|last=Perry|first=Spencer|date=July 26, 2016|title=Justice League Dark Featurette Reveals Matt Ryan Returns as Constantine!|publisher=Superhero Hype|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/379295-justice-league-dark-featurette-reveals-matt-ryan-returns-as-constantine))</ref><ref>((cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|date=November 15, 2016|title=JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: TRAILER DEBUT FOR R-RATED DC ANIMATED MOVIE|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/15/justice-league-dark-trailer-debut-for-r-rated-dc-animated-movie|publisher=IGN))</ref>
|
|-
|2018
|''[[The Death of Superman (film)|The Death of Superman]]''
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2019
|''[[Reign of the Supermen (film)|Reign of the Supermen]]''
|
|-
|''[[Batman: Hush (film)|Batman: Hush]]''
|
|-
|''[[Justice League vs. the Fatal Five]]''
|George Newbern
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2020
|''[[Superman: Red Son (film)|Superman: Red Son]]''
|[[Jason Isaacs]]
|
|-
|''[[Justice League Dark: Apokolips War]]''
|Jerry O'Connell
|
|-
|''[[Superman: Man of Tomorrow]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[Darren Criss]]
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2021
|''[[Justice Society: World War II]]''
|Criss portrays the same character from ''Man of Tomorrow'' and a parallel reality version nicknamed as 'Shakespeare'.
|-
|''[[Injustice (2021 film)|Injustice]]''
|[[Justin Hartley]]
|Hartley also portrays the Earth-1 version of the character.
|-
|2022
|''[[Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons]]''
|[[Travis Willingham]]
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2023
|''[[Legion of Super-Heroes (film)|Legion of Super Heroes]]''
| rowspan="2"| Darren Criss
|
|-
|''[[Tomorrowverse#Justice League: Warworld (2023)|Justice League: Warworld]]''
|
|-
|}

== Pre-Donner films (1941–1951) ==
=== ''Superman'' (1941–1943) ===
((Main|Superman (1940s animated film series)))
[[Superman]] first appeared in cinemas in a 17-part series of theatrical [[animated shorts]], between 1941 and 1943. They were released by [[Paramount Pictures]]. Of those 17 shorts, 9 were produced by [[Fleischer Studios]], and the further 8 by its successor, [[Famous Studios]].<ref name="superman2">((cite book|last=Rossen|first=Jake|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OmYt2xaxktEC&pg=PT25|title=Superman Vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon|publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]]|year=2008|isbn=9781569765012))</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!#
!Title
!Original release date
|-
! colspan="3" |Fleischer Studios
|-
|1.
|''[[Superman (1941 film)|Superman]]''
|September 26, 1941
|-
|2.
|''[[The Mechanical Monsters]]''
|November 28, 1941
|-
|3.
|''[[Billion Dollar Limited]]''
|January 9, 1942
|-
|4.
|''[[The Arctic Giant]]''
|February 27, 1942
|-
|5.
|''[[The Bulleteers]]''
|March 27, 1942
|-
|6.
|''[[The Magnetic Telescope]]''
|April 24, 1942
|-
|7.
|''[[Electric Earthquake]]''
|May 15, 1942
|-
|8.
|''[[Volcano (1942 film)|Volcano]]''
|July 10, 1942
|-
|9.
|''[[Terror on the Midway]]''
|August 28, 1942
|-
! colspan="3" |Famous Studios
|-
|10.
|''[[Japoteurs]]''
|September 18, 1942
|-
|11.
|''[[Showdown (1942 film)|Showdown]]''
|October 16, 1942
|-
|12.
|''[[Eleventh Hour (1942 animated film)|Eleventh Hour]]''
|November 20, 1942
|-
|13.
|''[[Destruction, Inc.]]''
|December 25, 1942
|-
|14.
|''[[The Mummy Strikes]]''
|February 19, 1943
|-
|15.
|''[[Jungle Drums]]''
|March 26, 1943
|-
|16.
|''[[The Underground World]]''
|June 18, 1943
|-
|17.
|''[[Secret Agent (1943 film)|Secret Agent]]''
|July 30, 1943
|}

=== Kirk Alyn serials ===
[[File:Kirk Alyn as Superman in a publicity still from 1948.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Kirk Alyn as Superman in a publicity still (1948).]]

====''Superman'' (1948)====
((Main|Superman (serial)))
The first appearance of Superman in live-action film was in ''[[Superman (serial)|Superman]]'' (1948), a 15-part [[film serial]] from [[Columbia Pictures]], starring [[Kirk Alyn]] as the titular character ([[uncredited]]), [[Noel Neill]] as [[Lois Lane]], and [[Tommy Bond]] as [[Jimmy Olsen]].<ref name=":1">((IMDb title|qid=Q2405659|title=Superman ''(1948)''<nowiki/>)); ((Rotten Tomatoes|qid=Q2405659|title=Superman ''(1948)''<nowiki/>))</ref>

====''Atom Man vs. Superman'' (1950)====
((Main|Atom Man vs. Superman))
The 1948 ''Superman'' was followed up by ''[[Atom Man vs. Superman]]'', another 15-part serial from [[Columbia Pictures]], the first installment of which was released in 1950. The serial featured the same main cast including Kirk Alyn as [[Superman]], with the addition of [[Lyle Talbot]] as [[Lex Luthor]], also known as the "Atom Man".

===''Superman and the Mole Men'' (1951)===
[[File:Stamp Day for Superman.jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[George Reeves]] as Superman in ''[[Stamp Day for Superman]]'' (1954).]]
((Main|Superman and the Mole Men))
Shot on a low budget, [[Lee Sholem]]'s ''Superman and the Mole Men'' (1951) served as a trial run for the syndicated TV series ''[[Adventures of Superman (TV series)|Adventures of Superman]]'' (airing 1952–58), for which the 1951 film became a two-part [[Television pilot|pilot]] episode titled "The Unknown People".<ref name=":0" />

Both the film and the subsequent TV series starred [[George Reeves]] as [[Superman]]. [[Lois Lane]], on the other hand, was played by [[Phyllis Coates]] in the film and the first season of the show, but was re-cast in later seasons with [[Noel Neill]] (who also played the character in the previous [[Kirk Alyn]] films). The film was produced by [[Barney Sarecky]] with the original screenplay by Richard Fielding (a [[pseudonym]] for [[Robert Maxwell (producer)|Robert Maxwell]] and [[Whitney Ellsworth]]).<ref name=":0">((cite web|url=http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/91977/Superman-and-the-Mole-Men/|title=Superman and the Mole Men (1951)|publisher=Turner Entertainment|access-date=August 28, 2013))</ref><ref>((IMDb title|qid=Q1115677|title=Superman and the Mole-Men ''(1951)''<nowiki/>)); ((Rotten Tomatoes|qid=Q1115677|title=Superman and the Mole-Men ''(1951)''<nowiki/>)).</ref>

In 1954, the short film ''[[Stamp Day for Superman]]'' was produced for the [[United States Department of the Treasury|U.S. Treasury]] to promote "Stamp Day", featuring Reeves and Neill.

== ((Anchor|Original film series (1978–1987)|Christopher Reeves film series (1978–1987)))Salkind/Cannon film series (1978–1987) ==
((Main|Superman (1978 film series character)))
[[File:C Reeve in Marriage of Figaro Opening night 1985.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Christopher Reeve in 1985]]
In 1973, producer [[Ilya Salkind]] convinced his father [[Alexander Salkind|Alexander]] to buy the film rights to Superman. They hired [[Mario Puzo]] to pen a two-film script, and negotiated with [[Steven Spielberg]] to direct, though Alexander eventually landed on someone else. ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' (1978) and ''[[Superman II]]'' (1980) were shot simultaneously.

===''Superman'' (1978)===
((Main|Superman (1978 film)))
[[Guy Hamilton]] was hired to direct, with [[Marlon Brando]] and [[Gene Hackman]] signing on to play [[Jor-El]] and [[Lex Luthor]], respectively. With pre-production taking place in [[Rome]], complication arose when it was discovered that Brando could not film in Italy as he faced an obscenity lawsuit over ''[[Last Tango in Paris]]'' (1972). As result, production would subsequently move to England in late 1976, but Hamilton was unable to shoot in England as he had [[Tax exile|violated his tax payments]].<ref>((Cite web|last=Gray|first=Tim|date=November 16, 2018|title=Brando's Big Payday Helped 1976's 'Superman' Fly Into Theaters|url=https://variety.com/2018/vintage/features/marlon-brando-superman-1203029241/|access-date=April 6, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US))</ref><ref>((Cite web|title=Superman Homepage|url=https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=interview-salkind|access-date=April 6, 2021|language=en-US))</ref> To replace Hamilton, the Salkinds hired [[Richard Donner]], who in turn brought on [[Tom Mankiewicz]] to polish the script, giving it a serious feel with Christ-like overtones.<ref name="believe">((cite web|title=You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25423/superman-ultimate-collectors-edition/|work=DVD Talk|year=2006))</ref>

There was a lengthy search for a lead, and a number of famous figures turned down the role, including [[Robert Redford]] and [[Burt Reynolds]]. Eventually, [[Christopher Reeve]] was cast, and underwent an exercise regimen to bulk up, gaining ((Convert|24|lbs|kg)) before filming.<ref>((cite book | author=[[David Prowse]] | title =Straight from the Force's Mouth | publisher =Filament Publishing |date=June 2005 | isbn = 978-0-9546531-6-3 | chapter = Chapter 25))</ref> [[Margot Kidder]] was cast as Lois Lane.

With a budget of US$55 million, the 1978 ''Superman'' was the [[List of most expensive films#Record-holders|most expensive film]] made up to that point.<ref name="Cook (2000)">((Cite book |last=Cook|first=David A.|year=2000|title=Lost Illusions: American Cinema in the Shadow of Watergate and Vietnam, 1970–1979|volume=9 of History of the American Cinema, Richard Koszarski|publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons|Scribner]]|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=sUUNAQAAMAAJ&q=superman+%22$55+million+production%22 58]))</ref> It was a success both critically and commercially.

===''Superman II'' (1980)===
((Main|Superman II|Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut))
Despite the success of 1978's ''Superman'', director [[Richard Donner]] did not return to finish its sequel. Evidently, production of both films were marred by Donner's bad relationship with the Salkinds, for which [[Richard Lester]] acted as mediator.<ref name="believe"/>

With the film((Specify|reason=Two films are mentioned; which of them went over budget? (Presumably Superman II)|date=April 2021)) going over budget, the filmmakers decided to temporarily cease production of ''Superman II'' altogether, moving its climax into the first film.<ref name="believe" /> Eventually, it was completed with Lester, who gave it a more [[tongue-in-cheek]] tone relative to the first film. Nonetheless, ''Superman II'' was another financial and critical success, despite stiff competition with ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' the same year.

In 2006, after many requests for his own version of ''Superman II'', Donner and producer Michael Thau produced their own [[Director's cut|cut]] and released it on November 28 that year. The [[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut|''Donner Cut'']] received positive response from critics<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii_the_richard_donner_cut_2006/|title=Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=September 2, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821014544/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii_the_richard_donner_cut_2006/|archive-date=August 21, 2012))</ref> as well as from the stars of the original film; according to the studio, the cut made Donner "the first director in history to be able to complete a film he left during production with nearly all his footage in the can".<ref>"[https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56701-SUPERMAN-II?cxt=filmography Superman II]". ''[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]: The First 100 Years, 1893–1993''. US: [[American Film Institute]]. Retrieved April 6, 2021.</ref>

===''Superman III'' (1983)===
((Main|Superman III))
For the third installment, Ilya Salkind wrote a treatment that expanded the film's scope to a cosmic scale, introducing villains [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] and [[Mister Mxyzptlk]], as well as [[Supergirl]].<ref name="believe"/> [[Warner Bros.]], however, rejected and retooled the script into their own film,<ref name="believe" /> trimming Brainiac down into the film's evil "ultimate computer". The final product co-starred comedian [[Richard Pryor]] as computer wizard [[Gus Gorman]], who—under the manipulation of a millionaire magnate—creates a form of [[Kryptonite]] that turns Superman into an evil self.<ref>"[https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/58140 Superman III]". ''[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]: The First 100 Years, 1893–1993''. US: [[American Film Institute]]. Retrieved April 6, 2021.</ref>

Despite its success, fans were disappointed, in particular with Pryor's performance diluting the serious tone of the previous films, as well as controversy over the depiction of the evil Superman.<ref name="believe" /> Salkind's rejected proposal was eventually released online in 2007.<ref name="believe" />

===''Supergirl'' (1984)===
[[File:Helen slater florida 2016.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Slater at [[Florida Supercon]] in 2016.]]
((Main|Supergirl (1984 film)))
Along with gaining the film rights to Superman, Alexander and Ilya Salkind also purchased the rights to the character of Superman's cousin, Supergirl.<ref>((cite news|title=Supergirl: She looks Super! Thanks for asking!|publisher=IGN|date=August 10, 2000|url=http://uk.dvd.ign.com/articles/037/037315p1.html|access-date=October 12, 2010))</ref>

''Supergirl'' was released in 1984 as a spin-off of the Reeve films; Reeve was slated to have a [[Cameo appearance|cameo]] but he ultimately backed out, though his likeness appears in a photo.<ref>''You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman (Redemption)'', Warner Home Video, 2006.</ref> It stars [[Helen Slater]] in her first motion picture in the title role, with [[Faye Dunaway]] (who received top [[Billing (performing arts)|billing]]) playing the primary villain, [[Selena (Supergirl)|Selena]], along with [[Marc McClure]] reprising his role as [[Jimmy Olsen]].<ref>((cite web |title=Supergirl |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150000380))</ref>

Although the film received mostly negative reviews from critics and fared poorly at the box office,<ref>((cite news|author=Stecklow, Steve|title=Box Office Bombs May Turn into Skyrockets on Videotape|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=April 19, 1985|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-04-19/entertainment/8501230412_1_videotape-box-office-top-videocassette-rentals|access-date=October 12, 2010))</ref> Slater was nominated for a [[Saturn Awards|Saturn Award]] for her performance.<ref>((cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19850221&id=dmocAAAAIBAJ&pg=6303,7066501 |title=Saturn Awards |date=February 22, 1985 |work=[[Times-News (Hendersonville, North Carolina)|Times-News]]|location=Hendersonville, North Carolina |page=11))</ref>

===''Superman IV: The Quest for Peace'' (1987)===
((Main|Superman IV: The Quest for Peace))
[[The Cannon Group|Cannon Films]] picked up an option for a fourth film, directed by [[Sidney J. Furie]], with Reeve reprising the role due to his interest in the film's topic regarding nuclear weapons. Several others reprised their roles as well, including Kidder (Lois Lane) and Hackman (Lex Luthor). However, Cannon decided to cut the budget, resulting in poor special effects and heavy re-editing, which contributed to the film's poor reception.<ref name="believe"/>

Although the film was a minor financial success, Warner Bros. decided to end the series, following the mixed to negative reception of the last two films.<ref name="believe" />

==''Superman Returns'' (2006)==
((Main|Superman Returns))
[[File:Routh press op 6 (98595319).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Brandon Routh in 2006]]
Following several unsuccessful attempts to reboot the franchise, [[Bryan Singer]], who was said to be a childhood fan of [[Superman (1978 film)|the 1978 film]], was approached by Warner Brothers to direct a new Superman film. He accepted, abandoning two films already in pre-production, ''[[X-Men: The Last Stand]]'' (which would come to be directed by [[Brett Ratner]]) and a remake of ''[[Logan's Run (film)|Logan's Run]]''. To work on the film, Singer brought his entire crew from ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]''.<ref name="telegraph">((cite news|last=Lawrence|first=Will|date=June 30, 2006|title=From zero to superhero|work=Telegraph.co.uk|location=London|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/30/bfsuperman30.xml&menuId=564&sSheet=/arts/2006/06/30/ixfilmmain.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715173021/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/06/30/bfsuperman30.xml&menuId=564&sSheet=/arts/2006/06/30/ixfilmmain.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2006|access-date=June 29, 2006))</ref>

For the lead role, [[Brandon Routh]] was chosen in part because of his resemblance to [[Christopher Reeve]]; in fact, Routh had been signed by his manager several years earlier due to this resemblance. Singer followed [[Richard Donner]]'s lead in casting a relatively unknown actor as the titular character and more high-profile actors in supporting roles, such as [[Kevin Spacey]] as [[Lex Luthor]]. Through digitally-enhanced [[archive footage]], [[Marlon Brando]], who had died in 2004, appears in the film as [[Jor-El]].<ref name="telegraph" />

As backstory, the film uses the events of the 1978 film and ''[[Superman II]]'',<ref name="ct">((cite news|author=Peter T. Chattaway|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2006/supermanreturns.html|title=Superman Returns|work=[[Christianity Today]]|date=June 28, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2010))</ref><ref>((cite news|author=Manohla Dargis|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2006/06/27/movies/27supe.html|title='Superman Returns' to Save Mankind From Its Sins|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 27, 2006|access-date=April 27, 2010|author-link=Manohla Dargis))</ref> while ignoring the events of ''[[Superman III]]'' and ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'' and its spin-off ''[[Supergirl (1984 film)|Supergirl]]''.<ref name="ct" /> Singer's story tells of Superman's return to Earth following a 5-year search for survivors of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]]. He discovers that, in his absence, [[Lois Lane]] has given birth to a son and become engaged.<ref name="telegraph" />

''Superman Returns'' received positive reviews and grossed approximately US$391 million worldwide.

==DC Extended Universe (2013–2023)==
((Main|DC Extended Universe|Clark Kent (DC Extended Universe)))
[[File:Henry Cavill Man of Steel Comic Con 2013 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Henry Cavill in 2013]]

===''Man of Steel'' (2013)===
((Main|Man of Steel (film)))
In June 2008, Warner Bros. took [[pitch (filmmaking)|pitch]]es from comic book writers, screenwriters and directors on how to restart the ''Superman'' film series.<ref>((cite news|author=Josh Wigler|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/26/mark-millar-on-his-superman-movie-trilogy-nothing-is-happening/|title=Mark Millar on His 'Superman' Movie Trilogy: 'Nothing Is Happening'|work=[[MTV News]]|date=March 26, 2009|access-date=December 2, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203033434/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/26/mark-millar-on-his-superman-movie-trilogy-nothing-is-happening/|archive-date=December 3, 2013))</ref> During story discussions for ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' in 2008, [[David S. Goyer]], aware that Warner Bros. was planning a ''Superman'' reboot, told [[Christopher Nolan]] his idea on how to present Superman in a modern context. Impressed with Goyer's concept, Nolan pitched the idea to the studio in February 2010,<ref>((cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/102090-christopher-nolan-on-batman-and-superman|title=Christopher Nolan on Batman and Superman|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|date=June 4, 2010|access-date=December 2, 2010))</ref> who hired Nolan to produce and Goyer to write<ref>((cite news|author1=Finke, Nikki|author2=Mike Fleming|name-list-style=amp|title=It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's Chris Nolan! He'll Mentor Superman 3.0 And Prep 3rd Batman|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=February 9, 2010|url=https://www.deadline.com/2010/02/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-chris-nolan-hell-mentor-superman-3-0-while-preparing-3rd-batman/|access-date=December 3, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5xLwx0v1Q?url=http://www.deadline.com/2010/02/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-chris-nolan-hell-mentor-superman-3-0-while-preparing-3rd-batman/|archive-date=March 21, 2011))</ref> based on the financial and critical success of ''[[The Dark Knight]]''.<ref name="wall">((Cite news|last=Schuker|first=Lauren A. E.|date=August 22, 2008|title=Warner Bets on Fewer, Bigger Movies|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121936107614461929|access-date=October 22, 2008))</ref> Nolan admired Singer's work on ''Superman Returns'' for its connection to [[Richard Donner]]'s version, and previously used the [[Superman (1978 film)|1978 film]] as casting inspiration for ''[[Batman Begins]]''. [[Zack Snyder]] was hired as the film's director in October. Principal photography started in August 2011 in [[West Chicago, Illinois]], before moving to [[Vancouver]] and [[Plano, Illinois]]. The film stars [[Henry Cavill]] as [[Clark Kent (DC Extended Universe)|Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman]], [[Amy Adams]] as [[Lois Lane (DC Extended Universe)|Lois Lane]], [[Michael Shannon]] as [[Zod (DC Extended Universe)|General Zod]], [[Diane Lane]] as [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Martha Kent]], [[Kevin Costner]] as [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Jonathan Kent]], [[Laurence Fishburne]] as [[Perry White]], and [[Russell Crowe]] as [[Jor-El]]. The film was released in June 2013.

===''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' (2016)===
((Main|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice))
[[David S. Goyer]] and Zack Snyder respectively wrote and directed ''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' (2016), a follow-up to ''Man of Steel'' and the 2nd film in the DC Extended Universe.<ref>((cite web|last=Vejvoda|first=Jim|title=Zack Snyder, David Goyer Back for Man of Steel Sequel|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/11/zack-snyder-david-goyer-back-for-man-of-steel-sequel|website=IGN|access-date=June 10, 2013))</ref><ref>((cite web|author1=Lucas Shaw |author2=Brent Lang |name-list-style=amp |url=https://www.thewrap.com/man-steel-warner-bros-jeff-robinov-henry-cavill-97021/ |title=Why 'Man of Steel' Holds the Key to Warner Bros.' Future Franchises |publisher=Thewrap.com |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=February 28, 2016))</ref> [[Christopher Nolan]] returned as producer, albeit in a lesser role than he had in the first film.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-sequel-underway-with-zack-snyder-and-david-s-goyer/|title='Man of Steel' Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer|last=Finke|first=Nikki|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2013))</ref> Goyer stated at the Superman 75th Anniversary Panel at the 2013 [[San Diego Comic-Con International]] that Batman and Superman would battle, and titles under consideration were ''Superman Vs Batman'' and ''Batman Vs Superman''.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/23/comic-con-man-of-steel-sequel-likely-called-batman-vs-superman|title=Comic-Con: Man of Steel Sequel Likely Called Batman Vs. Superman|last=Collura|first=Scott|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013))</ref> Over the next six months, [[Ben Affleck]] (as [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]]),<ref>((cite magazine|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title=Ben Affleck is the new Batman|first=Lindsey|last=Bahr|date=August 22, 2013|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/08/22/ben-affleck-batman/))</ref> [[Gal Gadot]] (as [[Diana Prince (DC Extended Universe)|Wonder Woman]]),<ref>((cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-batman-vs-superman-1200918310/ |title=Gal Gadot to Play Wonder Woman in 'Batman vs. Superman'|work=Variety|date=December 4, 2013 |access-date=December 4, 2013))</ref> [[Jesse Eisenberg]] (as [[Lex Luthor (DC Extended Universe)|Lex Luthor]]) and [[Jeremy Irons]] (as [[Alfred Pennyworth]])<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140131005753/en#.UuvjO9JDsk4 |title= Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Join the Cast of Warner Bros. Pictures' Untitled Superman/Batman Film from Director Zack Snyder |work=[[Business Wire]] |date=January 31, 2014))</ref> were added to the cast. All have since appeared in other DCEU movies as well.

The film was released on March 25, 2016; initially was slated to July 2015, but was delayed in order to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story".<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=113669|title=Warner Bros. Pictures Pushes Batman vs. Superman Back to 2016|work=[[ComingSoon.net]]|date=January 17, 2014|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201094626/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=113669|url-status=dead))</ref>

=== ''Justice League'' (2017) ===
((main|Justice League (film)))
Shortly after filming had finished for ''Man of Steel'', Warner Bros hired [[Will Beall]] to script a new ''Justice League'' film in June 2012.<ref>((cite news|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/beall-writing-justice-league-for-warner-bros-1118055082/|title=Beall writing 'Justice League' for Warner Bros.|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2014))</ref> With the release of ''Man of Steel'' in June 2013, Goyer was hired to write a new ''Justice League'' script, with the Beall draft being scrapped.<ref>((cite news|last=Finke|first=Nikki|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-sequel-underway-with-zack-snyder-and-david-s-goyer-517621/|title='Man Of Steel' Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=September 8, 2014))</ref> [[Zack Snyder]] was hired to direct Goyer's ''Justice League'' script.<ref>((cite news|last=Stedman|first=Alex|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/zack-snyder-to-direct-justice-league-movie-1201165409/|title=Zack Snyder to Direct 'Justice League' Movie|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=April 27, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2014))</ref> Warner Bros. was reportedly courting [[Chris Terrio]] to rewrite ''Justice League'', after having been impressed with his rewrite of ''Batman v Superman''.<ref>((cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/comic-con-batman-v-superman-chris-terrio-justice-league-809843/|title='Batman V Superman' Scribe Chris Terrio For 'Justice League'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 25, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2014))</ref> During post-production of the film, Zack Snyder left the film due to the death of his daughter.<ref name=":5">((Cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=May 22, 2017|title=Zack Snyder Steps Down From 'Justice League' to Deal With Family Tragedy|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter))</ref> [[Joss Whedon]] [[Production of Justice League (film)|took over the project and wrote and directed reshoots]].<ref name=":5" />

=== ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'' (2021) ===
((main|Zack Snyder's Justice League))
The divisive reaction toward the theatrical cut of ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'', with Zack Snyder leaving directorial duties and the theatrical cut of the film in the hands of Joss Whedon, led to an argument comparing the situation to the one experienced by the film ''[[Superman II]]''. Both ''Justice League'' and ''Superman II'' had a director who was replaced before the completion of the film (for different reasons), which led to a second director coming in and making substantial changes to the tone of the film. [[Richard Donner]] was able to complete his cut of [[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut|''Superman II'']] in 2005.<ref>((Cite magazine|title=What to Know About the 'Justice League' Snyder Cut—and Why Some People Are Upset About Its Release|url=https://time.com/5839692/snyder-cut-justice-league/|access-date=August 27, 2020|magazine=Time))</ref> In the belief that Snyder had shot enough material for a finished film, a campaign for a "Snyder Cut" began online, to allow Snyder to receive a similar treatment to Donner. Arguments were made that Snyder's vision would be more cohesive to the previous films than the actual theatrical cut, which Snyder has not yet seen. Warner Bros. initially remained silent regarding any intention of making a "Snyder Cut".<ref>((Cite web|date=July 8, 2018|title=Justice League: The Snyder Cut Movement Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-release-zack-snyder-cut-movement-explained/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US))</ref>

In March 2019, Snyder confirmed his original cut did exist, and stated that it was up to Warner Bros. to release it.<ref>((Cite web|date=March 28, 2019|title=Zack Snyder Confirms A Snyder Cut Of Justice League Exists|url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-zack-snyder-cut-exists-confirmed/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US))</ref> In November, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Warner Bros. was unlikely to release Snyder's version of ''Justice League'' in theaters or on [[HBO Max]], calling it a "pipe dream".<ref name="VarietyNov2019" /> In December, however, Snyder posted a photo on his [[Vero (app)|Vero]] account, which showed boxes with tapes labeled "Z.S. J.L Director's cut", and with the caption "Is it real? Does it exist? Of course it does".<ref>((Cite web|date=December 4, 2019|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|title=Zack Snyder Confirms Justice League Director's Cut Is Real|url=https://screencrush.com/snyder-cut-is-real-says-zack-snyder/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=ScreenCrush|language=en))</ref> In May 2020, Snyder officially announced his cut of ''Justice League'' for [[HBO Max]] for 2021 release date.<ref>((Cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|date=May 20, 2020|title=Zack Snyder Will Release the 'Snyder Cut' of 'Justice League' on HBO Max|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/zack-snyder-release-the-snyder-cut-justice-league-hbo-max-1234611928/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en))</ref> The cut cost $70+ million to complete the special effects, musical score, editing, and additional shooting. Initially the cut was planned to be a four part [[miniseries]], but was instead eventually released as a four-hour movie.<ref>((Cite web|title="It Will Be an Entirely New Thing": Zack Snyder's $20M-Plus 'Justice League' Cut Plans Revealed ((!)) Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=May 20, 2020))</ref><ref>((Cite web|date=May 26, 2020|title=The Snyder Cut Will Be a "Radical Rethinking" of 'Justice League', Costing Considerably More Than $30 Million to Finish|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/the-snyder-cut-will-be-a-radical-rethinking-of-justicle-league/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=/Film|language=en-US))</ref><ref>((Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=August 22, 2020|title=Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' Director's Cut Will Be Four Separate One-Hour Installments On HBO Max; Trailer Drops|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/justice-league-snyder-cut-trailer-four-hour-installments-1203020700/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en))</ref><ref>((Cite web|date=September 23, 2020|title='Justice League': Snyder Cut to Include Footage From a Week of Additional Shooting|url=https://www.thewrap.com/justice-league-snyder-additional-shooting/|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=TheWrap|language=en-US))</ref><ref>((Cite web|title=Zack Snyder's Justice League Is 4-Hour Movie and Not a Miniseries Says Director|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/justice-league-zack-snyder-cut-four-hour-movie-hbo-max/|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=Movies|language=en))</ref> Snyder said that this version is non-canonical to DC Extended Universe continuity, existing in a slightly alternate universe.<ref>((Cite web|date=July 20, 2020|title=Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' Is Separate from the DC Cinematic Universe Continuity|url=https://movieweb.com/justice-league-dceu-continuity/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Movieweb|language=en-US))</ref> However, [[Jason Momoa]] said that [[James Wan]]'s ''[[Aquaman (film)|Aquaman]]'' (2018) takes place after ''Zack Snyder's Justice League'' rather than Whedon's version.<ref name="MomoaAquamanZSJL">((cite web |last=Curran |first=Brad |date=August 1, 2020 |title=Justice League: Every Aquaman Connection Cut From The Theatrical Release |url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-movie-aquaman-connections-vulko-mera-armor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823223125/https://screenrant.com/justice-league-movie-aquaman-connections-vulko-mera-armor/ |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |access-date=August 23, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]]))</ref> Similarly, ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)|Wonder Woman]]'' (2017) director [[Patty Jenkins]] said that no DC director considers Whedon's ''Justice League'' canonical, and that she had worked with Snyder to ensure ''Wonder Woman'' maintained continuity with his film.<ref name="WhedonCanon">((Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=December 10, 2020 |title=Patty Jenkins 'Tossed Out' Joss Whedon's 'Justice League': It Contradicted 'Wonder Woman' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/patty-jenkins-slams-whedon-justice-league-contradicts-wonder-woman-1234603680/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210155031/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/12/patty-jenkins-slams-whedon-justice-league-contradicts-wonder-woman-1234603680/ |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=December 16, 2020 |website=[[IndieWire]]))</ref>

=== DCEU cameos (2019–2023) ===
* Superman made a [[cameo appearance]] in the DCEU film: ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]'' (2019), in which he appears briefly at the end. He is played by Ryan Hadley, [[Zachary Levi]]'s body double, owing to Cavill's unavailability.<ref>((cite web |last1=Pountain |first1=David |title=Superman Cameo Confirmed For Shazam!, But It Won't Be Henry Cavill |url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/superman-cameo-confirmed-shazam-wont-henry-cavill/ |website=We Got This Covered |date=February 7, 2019))</ref> He appears from the neck down after [[Billy Batson (DC Extended Universe)|Billy Batson]] announces to [[Freddy Freeman]] that he invited another person to sit with them at lunch. Upon seeing him, Freddy gasps in shock.
* Superman is referenced in ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' (2021). [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]] states that [[Robert DuBois (DC Extended Universe)|Bloodsport]], a new member of Task Force X, was arrested and imprisoned for shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/second-suicide-squad-trailer-leaks-idris-elba-james-gunn-kryptonite-bullet/|title=New 'Suicide Squad' Trailer "Leaks" Online, Introduces Idris Elba's Bloodsport, Kryptonite Bullet into Equation|date=June 22, 2021))</ref>
* Superman has made a cameo appearance in the DCEU TV series: ''[[Peacemaker (TV series)|Peacemaker]]'' (2022), in which he appears briefly in the [[It's Cow or Never|final episode]] of the first season. He and the [[Justice League]], with the exception of [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]] and [[Victor Stone (DC Extended Universe)|Cyborg]], are called by Waller to assist [[Peacemaker (DC Extended Universe character)|Christopher Smith / Peacemaker]] in facing the Butterfly army but arrive too late, missing the fight. He is played by Brad Abramenko.
* Cavill reprised his role as the character in a cameo, filmed for the mid-credits scene of ''[[Black Adam (film)|Black Adam]]'' (2022). In the scene, Superman is dispatched by Amanda Waller to [[Kahndaq]], to talk with [[Teth-Adam (DC Extended Universe)|Black Adam]].
* [[Nicolas Cage]] makes a cameo appearance as an alternate version of Superman in ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]''.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/|title='The Flash' Director Just Announced the Movie's Most Shocking Cameo That's Decades in the Making|first=Zack|last=Sharf|date=May 24, 2023))</ref> CGI versions of [[Henry Cavill]], [[George Reeves]] and [[Christopher Reeve]] also appear as Superman. Additionally, [[Sasha Calle]] stars as Supergirl with a CGI version of [[Helen Slater]] as Supergirl also making an appearance.<ref>((Cite web |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Meet the cast of The Flash: all the main stars and cameos |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/scifi/the-flash-cast-cameos/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=[[Radio Times]]))</ref>

== DC Universe (2025 onwards) ==
((Main|DC Universe (franchise)))

=== ''Superman'' (2025) ===
((main|Superman (2025 film)))
After filmmaker [[James Gunn]] and producer [[Peter Safran]] were appointed in October 2022 to serve as the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the then-newly formed [[DC Studios]] to develop plans for a new DC shared universe slate, Gunn stated in December that Superman was a huge priority for the studio,<ref name="GunnSupermanPriority" /> before announcing that he was writing a new Superman film that would focus on a younger version of the character,<ref name="GunnWriterTHR" /> who would be depicted as a cub reporter interacting with key characters such as [[Lois Lane]].<ref name="GunnWriterVariety" /> As such, [[Henry Cavill]] was not expected to return, although Gunn and Safran met with the actor to discuss potentially working together in the future,<ref name="GunnWriterTHR" /> including potentially portraying a different character.<ref name="GunnWriterVariety" /> There was potential for Gunn to also direct the film,<ref name="GunnWriterTHR" /> which was not expected to be an [[origin story]] for the character.<ref name="GunnWriterDeadline" /> The film's title was revealed to be ''Superman: Legacy'' in January 2023, with Gunn describing it as the "true start" to the studio's overarching narrative of the new DCU franchise and is scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025.<ref name="DCSlate">((Cite magazine |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=January 31, 2023 |title=DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131171111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref> In June, [[David Corenswet]] was cast as Superman, and [[Rachel Brosnahan]] was cast as Lois Lane.<ref>((Cite web |last=Matt |first=Donnelly |date=June 27, 2023 |title='Superman: Legacy' Casts David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan as Clark Kent and Lois Lane |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/superman-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-clark-kent-lois-lane-1235656106/amp/ |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref> In July, [[Isabela Merced]], [[Edi Gathegi]], and [[Nathan Fillion]] were cast as [[Hawkgirl]], [[Mister Terrific (Michael Holt)|Mister Terrific]], and [[Guy Gardner (character)|Guy Gardner]] respectively. [[Anthony Carrigan (actor)|Anthony Carrigan]] was cast as [[Metamorpho]] right after.<ref name="MercedGathegiFillionSL">((Cite web |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |date=July 11, 2023 |title=''Superman Legacy'' Cast Adds Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi and Nathan Fillion: Exclusive |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/superman-legacy-cast |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711223710/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/07/superman-legacy-cast |archive-date=July 11, 2023 |access-date=July 11, 2023 |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]))</ref> In November, [[Nicholas Hoult]] was cast to play Lex Luthor.<ref>((cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/nicholas-hoult-superman-legacy-lex-luther-1235630393/|title='Superman: Legacy': Nicholas Hoult Lands Role Of Lex Luthor|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=20 November 2023|access-date=21 November 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref>

By February 2024, the film had been retitled to ''Superman''. A first look at Superman's [[Superman logo|suit emblem]] was also released,<ref name="FilmingStart">((Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=February 29, 2024 |title=James Gunn Kicks off 'Superman: Legacy' Production With First Look at Iconic Logo |url=https://www.thewrap.com/superman-legacy-suit-logo-image/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229215006/https://www.thewrap.com/superman-legacy-suit-logo-image/ |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=February 29, 2024 |website=[[TheWrap]]))</ref> visually referencing [[Superman (Kingdom Come)|Superman]]'s appearance in [[DC Comics]]' [[Kingdom Come (comics)|''Kingdom Come'' comic book miniseries]].

=== ''Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow'' ===
In January 2023, James Gunn announced a standalone film featuring the character [[Supergirl]] set in the new DCU franchise, which would derive significantly from the ''[[Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (comics)|Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow]]'' miniseries by writer [[Tom King (writer)|Tom King]]. Both ''Superman'' (2025) and ''Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow'' will be part of Chapter 1 of the DCU which is titled as ''Gods and Monsters''.<ref>((Cite web |last=Welk |first=Brian |date=2023-01-31 |title=Superman, Batman, Supergirl, and Swamp Thing Movies, Green Lantern Series Among DC Universe's First Chapter |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/dc-universe-chapter-1-slate-superman-batman-supergirl-1234805282/ |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=IndieWire |language=en))</ref> In November, [[Ana Nogueira]] was set to write the screenplay.<ref>((Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2023-11-14 |title=‘Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow’ Movie At DC Studios Finds Writer |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/supergirl-woman-of-tomorrow-dc-studios-writer-1235612035/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=Deadline |language=en-US))</ref> In January 2024, [[Milly Alcock]] was cast as Supergirl.<ref>((Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |date=2024-01-29 |title='Supergirl': New Woman Of Steel Is 'House Of The Dragon's Milly Alcock |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/supergirl-milly-alcock-1235807989/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Deadline |language=en-US))</ref>

== Elseworlds ==
=== Untitled Black-led film ===
In February 2021, [[Ta-Nehisi Coates]] was revealed to be writing a new Superman film for the DCEU that was in early development. [[J. J. Abrams]] was set as producer alongside Hannah Minghella, with no director or actors attached to the project yet.<ref name="CoatesFilm" /> The film was expected to feature a Black actor portraying Superman, with potential for [[Michael B. Jordan]] to still take on the role after previously pitching himself as a Black version of the character.<ref name="CoatesBlackSuperman" /> Coates said he was looking forward to "meaningfully adding to the legacy of America's most iconic mythic hero", while Abrams said the film would tell a "new, powerful and moving Superman story".<ref name="CoatesFilm" /> This was reported by outlets as being a [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] of the franchise, but Richard Newby of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' felt the film starring a Black actor could indicate a new version of Superman that could exist alongside Cavill's portrayal within the [[DC Multiverse]]. Newby also noted that Coates' history as a non-fiction author and journalist focusing on African-American issues would give him "the insight and experience to delve further into the [Superman] mythos in a way never seen on screen".<ref name="CoatesFilmTHR" />

Jordan said at the end of April that suggestions he star in the film were a compliment, but he would not be signing on to the role. The studio was in the early process of finding a director for the film at that point, and had committed to hiring a Black filmmaker for the project. They had met with potential directors by early May, working from a list that included [[Steven Caple Jr.]], [[J. D. Dillard]], [[Regina King]], and [[Shaka King]];<ref name="CoatesFilmDirectorSearchMay2021" /> Dillard later said that he had not been approached for the film.<ref name="NoDillard" /> Coates was not expected to deliver his script for the film until mid-December, and was believed to be introducing a new version of Kal-El / Superman in what was potentially a 20th-century [[period piece]]. The film was believed to be set in a separate universe from the DCEU at that point.<ref name="CoatesFilmDirectorSearchMay2021" /> In July, Jordan's reasoning for distancing himself from the film was reported to be due to the decision to portray Kal-El as Black rather than introduce a different Superman character that is already portrayed as Black in the comics such as [[Calvin Ellis]] or [[Val-Zod]]. This was seen by some as [[racebending]] a white character while "erasing" existing Black characters, a conversation that Jordan did not want to engage in.<ref name="JordanRacebending" /> Instead, he began developing a limited series for [[HBO Max]] focused on the Val-Zod version of the character.<ref name="JordanValZod" /> In October 2022, Abrams and Coates' film was revealed to be set in a separate continuity from other DC franchises, similar to ''[[Joker (2019 film)|Joker]]'' (2019),<ref name="RovenCavillSequelOct2022"/> and the film remained in active development by December under the then-recently formed [[DC Studios]] when its co-chairman and co-CEO James Gunn announced that he was writing a new Superman film.<ref name="GunnWriterVariety" />

==Abandoned projects==
=== ((Anchor|Superman V))''Superman V'' (1980s/90s) ===
Before the failure of ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]'', [[The Cannon Group|Cannon Films]] considered producing a fifth film with [[Albert Pyun]] as director. Cannon's bankruptcy resulted in the film rights reverting to [[Ilya Salkind|Ilya]] and [[Alexander Salkind]].<ref name="White">((cite news|author=Mike White|title=''Superman'': Grounded|work=[[Cahiers du cinéma]]|url=http://www.impossiblefunky.com/archives/issue_15/15_superman.asp?IshNum=15|url-status=dead|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216230219/http://www.impossiblefunky.com/archives/issue_15/15_superman.asp?IshNum=15|archive-date=February 16, 2008))</ref> The story had Superman dying and resurrecting in the shrunken, bottled [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] city of [[Kandor (comics)|Kandor]].((Citation needed|date=June 2020)) The premise of Superman's death and rebirth coincidentally predated 1992 "[[The Death of Superman]]" comic book storyline.

=== ((Anchor|Superman Reborn))''Superman Reborn'' (1995) ===
((Distinguish|Superman Reborn (comics)))((Quote box
| width = 40%
| align = right
| quote = "In any good Superman movie, the fate of the whole planet should be at stake. You've got to have villains whose powers and abilities demand that Superman (and only Superman) can be the one who stops them. That's the only way to make the movie exciting and a dramatic challenge".
| source = —Writer Jonathan Lemkin on writing ''Superman Reborn''<ref name="Hughes">((cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=David|title=The Greatest Sci-Fi Movies Never Made|date=2008|publisher=Titan Books|location=London|isbn=9781845767556|edition=1st revised and expanded))</ref>((rp|188))
))

With the success of "[[The Death of Superman]]" comic book storyline, Warner Brothers purchased the film rights of Superman from the Salkinds in 1993, and hired producer [[Jon Peters]] to develop a new Superman film. Peters in turn hired [[Jonathan Lemkin]] to write a new script.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|188)) Major toy companies insisted on seeing Lemkin's screenplay before the deadline of the 1993 [[American International Toy Fair]].<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|188))

Lemkin's script in March 1995,<ref>Lemkin, Jonathan. 1995 March 24. "[https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/reborn-lemkin.pdf Superman Reborn]" (script).</ref> titled ''Superman Reborn'', featured Lois Lane and Clark Kent with relationship troubles, and Superman's battle with [[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]]. When Superman professes his love to Lois, his life force jumps between them just as he dies, giving Lois a [[Miraculous births|virgin birth]]. Their child, who grows to adulthood in three weeks, becomes the resurrected Superman and saves the world.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|188–189)) Warner Brothers did not like the script because of the similar underlying [[theme (arts)|theme]]s with [[Bruce Wayne]]'s obligations of heroism found in ''[[Batman Forever]]'' (1995).<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|189))<ref name="Hanke">((cite book|last1=Hanke|first1=Ken|title=Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker|date=1999|publisher=[[Renaissance Books]]|isbn=1580631622|edition=1st|location=Los Angeles|pages=213–218))</ref>

To rewrite Lemkin's text, Peters hired [[Gregory Poirier]],<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|189)) whose December 1995 script<ref>Poirier, Gregory. 1995 December 12. "[https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/reborn-poirier.pdf Superman Reborn]" (script).</ref> had [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] creating Doomsday, infused with "[[Kryptonite]] blood". In Poirier's script, 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 until his powers—which, according to the script, are a mental discipline called "Phin-yar"—return.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|189)) At Peters' request, Poirier had Superman wear an all-black suit at the end of the script.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|189)) Other villains included [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]] and [[Silver Banshee]].<ref name="White" /> Though Poirier's script impressed Warner Brothers,<ref name="Hanke" /> [[Kevin Smith]] was hired to rewrite;<ref name="Gross2">((cite news|author=Edward Gross|date=May 12, 2000|title=''SUPERMAN LIVES'', Part 2: Writer Kevin Smith|work=Mania Movies|url=http://www.mania.com/21118.html|url-status=dead|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214075754/http://www.mania.com/21118.html|archive-date=February 14, 2008))</ref> Smith thought that Poirier's script did not respect the Superman mythos properly.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|189))

=== ((Anchor|Superman Lives))''Superman Lives'' (1998) ===
((See also|The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?))
[[Kevin Smith]] pitched [[Jon Peters]] his story outline in late 1996, and he was allowed to write the screenplay under certain conditions:<ref name="Hughes" />

* Peters did not want Superman to fly,<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|190)) arguing that the character would "look like an overgrown [[Scout (Scouting)|Boy Scout]]".<ref name="White" /> Smith wrote Superman flying as "a red-and-blue blur in flight, creating a [[sonic boom]] every time he flew".<ref name="Smith">((cite news|author=Kevin Smith|author-link=Kevin Smith|date=March 27, 1997|title=Superman Lives Script|work=Script-O-Rama|url=http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/superman-lives-script.html|access-date=February 3, 2008))</ref>
* Peters also wanted Superman to fight a giant spider in the third act.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|190))

Smith accepted the terms, realizing that he was being hired to execute a preordained idea.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|190)) Peters would go on to insist further additions:

* Smith was also forced to write a scene involving [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] fighting a polar bear at the [[Fortress of Solitude]].<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|190))
* The ''[[Original trilogy|Star Wars]]'' 20th anniversary re-release in theaters prompted Peters to commission a "space dog" that Brainiac could present to Luthor purely for merchandising appeal and toy sales.<ref name="Gross2" />
* Peters also insisted that Brainiac's robot assistant [[L-Ron]] was to be voiced by [[Dwight Ewell]], calling the character "a gay [[R2-D2]] with attitude".<ref name="Gross2" />

Smith's script, titled '''''Superman Lives''''', had Brainiac sending [[Doomsday (comics)|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 (comics)|Eradicator]]. Brainiac wishes to possess the Eradicator and its technology. Powerless, the resurrected Superman is sheathed in a robotic suit formed from the Eradicator itself until his powers return, courtesy of sunbeams, and defeats Brainiac.<ref name="Smith" /> Smith's casting choices included [[Ben Affleck]] as Clark Kent/Superman, [[Linda Fiorentino]] as Lois Lane, [[Jack Nicholson]] as Lex Luthor, [[Famke Janssen]] as [[Mercy Graves]], [[John Mahoney]] as [[Perry White]], [[David Hyde Pierce]] as the Eradicator, [[Jason Lee (entertainer)|Jason Lee]] as Brainiac, and [[Jason Mewes]] as [[Jimmy Olsen]].<ref>((Cite web|url=https://thenerdsuncanny.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-day-kevin-smith-lost-his-mind/|title = The day Kevin Smith lost his mind?|date = February 10, 2014))</ref> Affleck would go on to portray Superman actor [[George Reeves]] in the 2006 film ''[[Hollywoodland]]'', and Batman in the [[DC Extended Universe]], beginning with ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'' in 2016.

[[Robert Rodriguez]] was offered the chance to direct, but turned down the offer due to his commitment on ''[[The Faculty]]'' (1998), despite liking Smith's script.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|191))

Smith originally suggested [[Tim Burton]] to direct his script,<ref name="Gross2" /> and Burton signed on with a [[Guarantee (filmmaking)|pay-or-play contract]] of $5 million. Warner Brothers originally planned on a theatrical release date for summer 1998, the 60th anniversary of the character's debut in ''[[Action Comics]]''.<ref name="Hanke" /> [[Nicolas Cage]], a comic book fan, signed on as Superman with a $20 million pay-or-play contract, believing he could "reconceive the character".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|192)) Peters also felt Cage could "convince audiences he [Superman] came from outer space".<ref>((cite book|last1=Griffin|first1=Nancy|url=https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif|title=Hit and Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber took Sony for a ride in Hollywood|last2=Masters|first2=Kim|date=1996|publisher=Simon & Schuster|isbn=0684809311|location=New York|page=[https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/463 463]|url-access=registration))</ref> Burton explained Cage's casting would be "the first time you would believe that nobody could recognize Clark Kent as Superman, he [Cage] could physically change his persona".<ref name="Salisbury">((cite book|last1=Salisbury|first1=Mark|title=Burton on Burton|date=2006|publisher=[[Faber and Faber]]|isbn=0571229263|edition=Revised|location=London|page=154))</ref> [[Kevin Spacey]] was approached for the role of [[Lex Luthor]],<ref name="Salisbury" /> while [[Christopher Walken]] was Burton's choice for Brainiac,<ref name="Walken">Tim Burton, [[Jon Schnepp]], [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]], ''[[The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?]]'', 2015</ref> a role also considered for [[Jim Carrey]] and [[Gary Oldman]]. [[Sandra Bullock]], [[Courteney Cox]] and [[Julianne Moore]] had been approached for Lois Lane, while [[Chris Rock]] was cast as [[Jimmy Olsen]].<ref name="Walken" /> [[Michael Keaton]] confirmed his involvement, but when asked if he would be reprising his role as [[Bruce Wayne (1989 film series character)|Bruce Wayne / Batman]] from Burton's ''Batman'' films, he would only reply, "Not exactly".<ref>[https://screenrant.com/superman-lives-movie-michael-keaton-batman-cameo/ Michael Keaton's Batman Scene In The Unmade Superman Lives Explained]</ref>

Filming was originally set to begin in early 1998.<ref>((cite news|author=Anita M. Busch|date=April 22, 1997|title=Helmer Gilliam readies 'Defective', 'Loathing'|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117434174|access-date=April 6, 2008))</ref>

==== Rewrites and production ====
In the summer of 1997, ''Superman Lives'' entered pre-production,<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193)) with an art department employed under production designer [[Rick Heinrichs]].<ref name="Salisbury" /> Burton hired [[Wesley Strick]] to rewrite Smith's script, which disappointed Smith, who commented:<blockquote>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. So who is Warner Bros. going back to? The guy who made ''[[Clerks (1994 film)|Clerks]]'', or the guy who made them half a billion dollars on ''Batman''?<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193))</blockquote>When Strick read Smith's script, he was annoyed with the fact that "Superman was accompanied/shadowed by someone/something called the Eradicator".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193)) He also felt that "Brainiac's evil plot of launching a disk in space to block out the sun and make Superman powerless was reminiscent of [[Who Shot Mr. Burns?|an episode]] of ''[[The Simpsons]]'', with [[Mr. Burns]] doing the Brainiac role".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193)) However, after reading ''[[The Death of Superman|The Death and Return of Superman]]'', Strick was able to understand some of the elements of Smith's script. Strick's rewrite featured Superman as an [[existentialism|existentialist]], thinking of himself to be an outsider on Earth. Superman is threatened by Brainiac and Lex Luthor, who later [[Amalgamation (fiction)|amalgamate]] into "Lexiac", described by Strick as "a schizo/scary mega-villain".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193)) Superman is later resurrected by the power of 'K', a natural force representing the spirit of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]], as he defeats Lexiac.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|193))

Art designer Sylvain Despretz claimed the art department was assigned to create something that had little or nothing to do with the Superman comic book, and also explained that Peters "would bring kids in, who would rate the drawings on the wall as if they were evaluating the toy possibilities. It was basically a toy show".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|196)) Peters saw a cover of ''[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]'', containing a picture of a skull, going to art department workers, telling them he wanted the design for Brainiac's spaceship to have the same image. Burton gave Despretz a concept drawing for Brainiac, which Despretz claims was "a cone with a round ball on top, and something that looked like an emaciated skull inside. Imagine you take [[Merlin]]'s hat, and you stick a fish bowl on top, with a skull in it".<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|196)) Concept artist Rolf Mohr said in an interview that he designed a suit for the Eradicator for a planned scene in which it transforms into a flying vehicle.<ref>((cite news|date=August 29, 2003|title=Rolf Mohr Talks ''Superman Lives''|work=Superman Homepage|url=http://s323579992.onlinehome.us/news/2003-news/2003-news-movie.php?topic=2003-news-movie/0829i|access-date=April 29, 2010|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826132153/http://s323579992.onlinehome.us/news/2003-news/2003-news-movie.php?topic=2003-news-movie%2F0829i|url-status=dead))</ref>

((Quote box
| width = 40%
| align = left
| quote = "We got the Kevin Smith script, but we were told not to read it, because they knew he wasn't going to stay on the movie. So we used Kevin Smith's script as a guide to the sets we might be doing, and we waited and waited for the new script to come in, but it never did".
| source = —Art designer Sylvain Despretz on designing ''Superman Lives''<ref name="Hughes"/>((rp|194))
))

Burton chose [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania as his primary filming location for [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]],<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|197)) while start dates for filming were pushed back.<ref name="Hanke" /> A minor piece of the Krypton set was constructed but then destroyed, and Cage had even attended a costume fitting.<ref>((cite news|date=August 29, 2003|title=Nicholas Cage as Superman / Clark Kent|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7j7hMg5BcI|access-date=May 24, 2023))</ref>

The studio was also considering changing the title ''Superman Lives'' back to '''''Superman Reborn'''''.<ref>((cite news|date=December 16, 1997|title=At play in the fields of the biz|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1116680325|access-date=April 6, 2008))</ref> 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 $190 million budget set by Strick's draft to $100 million. However, the studio was still less willing to fast track production, due to financial reasons with other film properties, having Gilroy turn in two drafts.<ref name="Gross3">((cite news|author=Edward Gross|date=May 19, 2000|title=''SUPERMAN LIVES'', Part 3: Nicolas Cage|work=Mania Movies|url=http://www.mania.com/21288.html|url-status=dead|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201133630/http://www.mania.com/21288.html|archive-date=February 1, 2008))</ref>

==== Abandonment ====
In April 1998, Warner Bros ultimately chose to put the film on hold;<ref name="Hanke" /> at this point in production, the studio had spent $30 million on developing the film.<ref name="Hughes" />((rp|198)) Burton, having left to direct ''[[Sleepy Hollow (film)|Sleepy Hollow]]'' (1999), cited various differences with Peters and the studio: "I basically wasted a year. A year is a long time to be working with somebody that you don't really want to be working with".<ref>((cite book|last1=Woods|first1=Paul A.|title=Tim Burton: A Child's Garden of Nightmares|date=2007|publisher=Plexus|isbn=978-0859654012|edition=Revised and updated|location=London|page=150))</ref>

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.<ref name="White" /> Ford said:<blockquote>I can tell you they don't know much about comics. Their audience isn't you and me who pay $7.00. It's for the parents who spend $60 on toys and lunchboxes. It is a business, and what's more important, the $150 million at the box office or the $600 million in merchandising?<ref name="Gross3" /></blockquote>

With Gilroy's script, Peters offered the director's position to [[Michael Bay]], [[Shekhar Kapur]] and [[Martin Campbell]], though they all turned down the offer.<ref name="White" /> [[Brett Ratner]] turned down the option in favor of ''[[The Family Man]]''.<ref>((cite magazine|date=August 11, 2000|title=Movie Preview December 15|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,87408,00.html|access-date=February 4, 2008))</ref> [[Simon West]] and [[Stephen Norrington]] were reportedly top contenders as well.((Citation needed|date=January 2018)) In June 1999, [[William Wisher Jr.]] was hired to write a new script, and Cage assisted on story elements.<ref>((cite news|author=Michael Fleming|date=June 30, 1999|title=WB puts ''Superman'' into the Wisher well|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117503619|access-date=April 6, 2008))</ref> Cage dropped out of the project in June 2000, while Wisher turned in a new script in August, reported to have contained similar elements with ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name="White" /> [[Oliver Stone]] was then approached to direct Wisher's script, but declined.<ref name="White" /> Peters offered [[Will Smith]] the role of Superman, but the actor turned it down over concerns his [[ethnicity]] could result in him facing retaliation from the film industry for taking the role.<ref>((cite news|author=Larry Carroll|date=July 2, 2008|title=Will Smith Explains Why Nihilistic, Self-Destructive Hancock Suits Him Far Better Than Superman|work=[[MTV News]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1590297/story.jhtml|access-date=January 20, 2009))</ref>

==== Retrospective development (2015–2018, 2023) ====
The film's backstory was covered in the 2015 documentary film ''[[The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?]]''.<ref>((cite web|last=Farber|first=Stephen|title='The Death of "Superman Lives": What Happened?': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/death-superman-lives-what-happened-794018|access-date=October 25, 2017|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 7, 2015))</ref> Kevin Smith would go on to direct the ninth episode of the second season of ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'', which was titled "[[Supergirl Lives]]" as homage to ''Superman Lives''.<ref>((cite web|last=Melrose|first=Kevin|date=August 13, 2016|title=TITLE OF KEVIN SMITH'S "SUPERGIRL" EPISODE NEARLY BRINGS HIM TO TEARS|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/title-of-kevin-smiths-supergirl-episode-nearly-brings-him-to-tears|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=August 16, 2016|archive-date=August 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815093436/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/title-of-kevin-smiths-supergirl-episode-nearly-brings-him-to-tears|url-status=dead))</ref>

In November 2016, Kevin Smith said that he was open to having the ''Superman Lives'' script be adapted as an animated film, with [[Nicolas Cage]] voicing [[Superman]] and [[Michael Rooker]] voicing [[Lex Luthor]].<ref>((cite web|last1=Fischer|first1=Sean|date=November 25, 2016|title=Kevin Smith Open to an Animated Adaptation of Superman Lives|url=http://www.cbr.com/kevin-smith-open-to-an-animated-adaptation-of-superman-lives/|access-date=October 24, 2017|website=Comic Book Resources))</ref> The following year, ''[[Batman vs. Two-Face]]'' writer [[Michael Jelenic]] revealed that he originally pitched an animated film based on Smith's ''Superman Lives'' script, saying that Warner Bros seriously considered it for a long time.<ref>((cite web|last1=Couto|first1=Anthony|date=October 18, 2017|title=Warner Bros. Considered An Animated Version of Tim Burton's Superman|url=http://www.cbr.com/superman-lives-animated-movie/|access-date=October 24, 2017|website=Comic Book Resources))</ref> According to Jelenic, Cage would have loved to voice Superman in the film, but the idea never materialized and his pitch was abandoned.<ref>((cite web|last=Mueller|first=Matthew|date=October 22, 2017|title=Warner Bros. Nearly Made Tim Burton's 'Superman' Movie An Animated Film|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/10/23/warner-bros-tim-burton-superman-animated-movie/|access-date=October 24, 2017|website=Comicbook.com))</ref>

Cage was ultimately cast to voice Superman in the animated film ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]'', based on the ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' cartoon show, which was released on July 27, 2018.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/03/12/exclusive-halsey-plays-wonder-woman-lil-yachty-green-lantern-teen-titans-go/415282002/|title = Exclusive: Nicolas Cage plays Superman, Halsey is Wonder Woman in 'Teen Titans GO!'|website = [[USA Today]]))</ref> In 2019, Cage was approached to play Superman, in live-action form, by [[Marc Guggenheim]] and the producers of the [[Arrowverse]] five-part [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] event "[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]", which aired from December 2019 to January 2020, but Cage's inclusion was ultimately dropped for unknown reasons.<ref name="GuggenheimIndieWireDec2019">((Cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/marc-guggenheim-interview-crisis-on-infinite-earths-arrow-cw-1202194754/ |title='Crisis on Infinite Earths': Showrunner Marc Guggenheim on Plotting The CW's Six-Show Crossover Event |last=Ferguson |first=LaToya |date=December 6, 2019 |website=[[IndieWire]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207182423/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/marc-guggenheim-interview-crisis-on-infinite-earths-arrow-cw-1202194754/ |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |access-date=June 2, 2021))</ref> In May 2023, ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' director [[Andy Muschietti]] officially revealed that among the film's numerous [[cameo appearance]]s, Cage would finally play Superman in live-action, with Muschietti expressing his enthusiasm over working with Cage, something he had planned to do for a long time and hopes to do again.<ref>((Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=May 24, 2023 |title='The Flash' Director Just Announced the Movie's Most Shocking Cameo That's Decades in the Making |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524140320/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref> The film includes a scene rendered through computer-generated imagery where Cage as Superman, exactly as he looks in the 90s test footage, fights a robotic spider, as an homage to the demand that Jon Peters gave Kevin Smith.<ref name="Cage">((Cite magazine |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=May 24, 2023 |title=''The Flash'' Director Just Announced the Movie's Most Shocking Cameo That's Decades in the Making |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524140320/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-flash-cameo-nicolas-cage-superman-1235623843/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref><ref name="CageCGI">((Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=June 16, 2023 |title=How ''The Flash'' brought to life a Superman that could have been |url=https://ew.com/movies/the-flash-nicolas-cage-superman-lives/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617034433/https://ew.com/movies/the-flash-nicolas-cage-superman-lives/ |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]))</ref>

=== ((Anchor|Batman vs. Superman))''Batman vs. Superman: Asylum'' (2004) ===
In the early 2000s, Warner Brothers wanted to [[Reboot (fiction)|reboot]] the Superman film series with an origin story and ignore the "[[The Death of Superman|Death of Superman]]" storyline that had been stuck in [[development limbo]] through the late 1990s.<ref>((cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=David|title=Comic Book Movies|date=2003|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|isbn=0753507676|location=London|pages=21–22))</ref>

In 2001, screenwriter [[Paul Attanasio]] was almost signed to pen a new script for producer [[Jon Peters]];<ref>((Citation|title=Talk Supe - IGN|date=April 20, 2001|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/20/talk-supe|language=en|access-date=April 7, 2021))</ref> although [[McG]] being widely reported as attached to Attanasio's ''Superman'' script, which was [[Green-light|greenlit]], he dropped out in favor of ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'' (2003).<ref name="Stallville">((cite magazine|author1=Daniel Fierman|author2=Nancy Miller|author3=Brian M. Raftery|date=March 14, 2003|title=Stallville?|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,432553~1~0~itsburdenitspain--its,00.html|url-status=dead|access-date=February 8, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011082255/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C432553~1~0~itsburdenitspain--its%2C00.html|archive-date=October 11, 2008))</ref> Ultimately, [[Andrew Kevin Walker]] was hired in August that year after pitching Warner Bros an idea titled '''''Batman vs. Superman''''', attaching [[Wolfgang Petersen]] as director.<ref>Linder, Brian. 2001 August 9. "[https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/08/09/more-batman-superman-insanity-at-wb More Batman, Superman Insanity at WB]". ''[[IGN]]''. Retrieved April 7, 2021</ref>

In February 2002, filmmaker [[J. J. Abrams]] was hired to write a new screenplay for a stand-alone Superman film,<ref>Abrams, J. J. 2002 July 26. "[https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/Superman-JJAbrams.pdf Superman (first draft)]" (script).</ref> going under the title of ''Superman: Flyby'',<ref name="White" /><ref>((Cite web|date=September 12, 2019|title=Superman: Flyby, J. J. Abrams' Superman Movie|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/superman-flyby-jj-abrams-superman-movie/|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=Den of Geek|language=en-US))</ref> again approaching Petersen to direct.<ref name="Dynamic">((cite magazine|author1=Brian M. Raftery|author2=Nancy Miller|date=July 9, 2002|title=Dynamic Duel|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,321972~1~0~holyfranchiseinsidebatman,00.html|access-date=February 4, 2008|archive-date=January 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106114014/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C321972~1~0~holyfranchiseinsidebatman%2C00.html|url-status=dead))</ref> In July, Abrams turned in his script, designed to be the first of a trilogy. [[Lorenzo di Bonaventura]]—Warner Bros' executive vice president for worldwide motion pictures—though liking Abrams' script, nonetheless planned to release ''Batman vs Superman'' first. Abrams' script was thereby put on hold in favor of Walker's ''Batman vs. Superman'' idea.<ref>((Cite web|last=VanAirsdale|first=S. T.|date=February 28, 2012|title=Exclusive Book Excerpt: How Batman vs. Superman's Development Hell Gave Way to Batman Begins|url=http://movieline.com/2012/02/28/exclusive-book-excerpt-how-batman-vs-supermans-development-hell-gave-way-to-batman-begins/|access-date=April 7, 2021|website=Movieline|language=en-US))</ref><ref name="Dynamic" />

Walker's draft was thought of as too dark by the studio, who hired [[Akiva Goldsman]] to do a rewrite, which was codenamed '''''Asylum'''''.<ref>[[Andrew Kevin Walker|Walker, Andrew Kevin]], and [[Akiva Goldsman]]. 2002 June 21. "[https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/asylum.pdf Asylum]" (revised script).</ref><ref name="Hughes2">((cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=David|url=https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/205|title=Tales from Development Hell: Hollywood Film-Making the Hard Way|date=2003|publisher=[[Titan Books]]|isbn=1840236914|location=London|pages=[https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/205 205–208]))</ref> Goldsman's draft,<ref>((cite web|date=September 28, 2012|title=Batman vs Superman Asylum screenplay For research purposes only|url=http://es.scribd.com/doc/107909181/Batman-vs-Superman-Asylum-screenplay-For-research-purposes-only|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222194832/https://es.scribd.com/doc/107909181/Batman-vs-Superman-Asylum-screenplay-For-research-purposes-only|archive-date=December 22, 2015|access-date=February 7, 2016|publisher=Es.scribd.com))</ref> dated June 21, 2002, introduced [[Bruce Wayne]] attempting to shake all of the demons in his life after his 5-year retirement from crime-fighting. [[Dick Grayson]], [[Alfred Pennyworth]], and [[James Gordon (comics)|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 (character)|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 (comics)|Smallville]] and tries to pull Bruce back. In return, Bruce blames Clark for her death, and the two go against one another, prodded on by [[Lex Luthor]]. After Batman decides not to succumb to his rage, the two team up, stop Luthor in his mechanized suit and an incoming meteor storm.<ref>((cite news|author=Akiva Goldsman|author-link=Akiva Goldsman|date=June 21, 2002|title=''Batman vs Superman'' 2nd Draft|work=Daily Scripts|url=http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/asylum.pdf|access-date=October 11, 2007))</ref> The studio wanted [[Johnny Depp]] as [[Batman]] and [[Josh Hartnett]] as [[Superman]].<ref>((Cite web|url=https://www.cinemascomics.com/johnny-depp-casi-protagoniza-batman-vs-superman/|date=16 August 2021|last=Larrad|first=David|language=spanish|title=Johnny Depp casi protagoniza una película de Batman vs Superman|website=Cinemascomics))</ref>

[[Christian Bale]], who was being considered for the lead in [[Darren Aronofsky]]'s ''[[Batman: Year One (canceled film)|Batman: Year One]]'' adaptation at the time (another cancelled film),<ref>((cite news|author=Smith, Adam|date=July 2005|title=The Original American Psycho|pages=74–80, 82, 84, 87|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]))</ref> was simultaneously approached by Petersen for the Batman role. Petersen confirmed in a 2010 interview that the only actor he approached for Superman was [[Josh Hartnett]].<ref>((cite news|author=Brian Jacks|date=March 15, 2010|title=EXCLUSIVE: Christian Bale Met For Superman Role In Wolfgang Petersen's 'Batman Vs. Superman'|work=[[MTV News]]|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/15/christian-bale-superman-wolfgang-petersen-batman-vs-superman/|url-status=dead|access-date=March 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203092314/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/15/christian-bale-superman-wolfgang-petersen-batman-vs-superman/|archive-date=December 3, 2013))</ref> Warner Bros canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after Abrams submitted another draft for ''Superman: Flyby''.<ref name="Hughes2" /> [[Christopher Nolan]] cast Bale as Batman the following year in ''[[Batman Begins]]''.

In the opening scene of ''[[I Am Legend (film)|I Am Legend]]'', a large banner displays the Superman symbol within the Batman symbol in [[Times Square]]. It is meant as an [[in-joke]] by writer Goldsman, who wrote the scripts for both ''Batman vs. Superman'' and ''I Am Legend''.<ref>((cite news|author=Larry Carroll|date=December 3, 2007|title='Batman Vs. Superman' Coming in 2009, But Will We Live To See It?|publisher=MTV Movies Blog|url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/12/03/batman-vs-superman-coming-in-2009-but-will-we-live-to-see-it/|url-status=dead|access-date=August 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029210312/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/12/03/batman-vs-superman-coming-in-2009-but-will-we-live-to-see-it/|archive-date=October 29, 2013))</ref>

=== ''Superman: Man of Steel'' (2004) <span class="anchor" id="Superman: Man of Steel"></span><span class="anchor" id="Superman: Flyby"></span>===
Turning in his script in July 2002, [[J. J. Abrams]]' '''''Superman: Man of Steel''''', incorrectly titled '''''Superman: Flyby''''' by the internet, 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 [[Unidentified flying object|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. The script ends with Superman flying off to Krypton in a spaceship.<ref name="White" />

[[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.<ref>((cite web|author=Stax|date=September 17, 2002|title=Ratner Talks 'Superman'|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/371/371260p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> [[Christopher Reeve]] joined as project consultant, citing [[Tom Welling]], who portrayed the teenage [[Clark Kent]] in ''[[Smallville]]'', as an ideal candidate. Reeve added that "the character is more important than the actor who plays him, because it is an enduring mythology. It definitely should be an unknown".<ref>((cite news|author=Stax|date=February 3, 2003|title=Lara Lane?|work=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384675p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008))</ref> Ratner approached [[Josh Hartnett]], [[Jude Law]], [[Paul Walker]] and [[Brendan Fraser]] for Superman, but conceded that finding a famous actor for the title role had proven difficult because of contractual obligations to appear in sequels: "No star wants to sign that, but as much as I've told Jude and Josh my vision for the movie, I've warned them of the consequences of being Superman. They'll live this character for 10 years because I'm telling one story over three movies and plan to direct all three if the first is as successful as everyone suspects".<ref name="Hartnett">((cite web|author=Stax|date=January 31, 2003|title=Ratner, Bay Deny 'Superman' Rumors|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/384/384464p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> Hartnett in particular was offered $100 million for a three-picture deal.<ref name="Singer">((cite news|author1=Michael Fleming|author2=Cathy Dunkley|date=July 18, 2004|title=Supe's on with 'X' man|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117907948|access-date=November 6, 2008))</ref> Walker explained that "I could have made a gazillion dollars on that franchise. I could probably have bought my own fleet of jets or my own island. You know what? I don't need it".<ref>((cite news|author=Darel Jevens|date=December 1, 2013|title=Paul Walker in 2003: Why I turned down playing Superman|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|url=http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/paul-walker-in-2003-why-i-turned-down-playing-superman/|url-status=dead|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911203042/http://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/paul-walker-in-2003-why-i-turned-down-playing-superman/|archive-date=September 11, 2014))</ref> [[David Boreanaz]], [[Victor Webster]]<ref name="Boreanaz">((cite web|author=Stax|date=March 4, 2003|title=Boreanaz, Webster Talk ''Superman''|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/387/387939p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070102000840/http://movies.ign.com/articles/387/387939p1.html|archive-date=January 2, 2007|access-date=September 11, 2014|website=IGN))</ref> and [[Ashton Kutcher]] auditioned, along with [[Keri Russell]] as Lois Lane,<ref>((cite news|author=Rick Marshall|date=September 8, 2014|title=Ashton Kutcher Describes His 'Superman' Audition, Makes A Pitch For He-Man?!|publisher=MTV Splash Page|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/06/15/ashton-kutcher-describes-his-superman-audition-makes-a-pitch-for-he-man/|url-status=dead|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001101059/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/06/15/ashton-kutcher-describes-his-superman-audition-makes-a-pitch-for-he-man/|archive-date=October 1, 2014))</ref> but Kutcher decided not to pursue the role, citing scheduling conflicts with ''[[That '70s Show]]'', the [[Superman curse]] and fear of typecasting,<ref name="Kutcher">((cite web|author=Stax|date=March 13, 2003|title=Kutcher Talks ''Superman''|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/389/389265p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210181604/http://movies.ign.com/articles/389/389265p1.html|archive-date=December 10, 2008|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> while Boreanaz had to back out due to obligations with ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]''.<ref name="Boreanaz" /> [[James Marsden]] stated in a 2006 interview that at one point he was approached by Ratner.<ref>((cite news|author=Kelvin Chavez|date=May 12, 2006|title=Marsden Talks Superman Returns!|publisher=Latino Review|url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news/marsden-talks-superman-returns-557|url-status=dead|access-date=May 12, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113045734/http://www.latinoreview.com/news/marsden-talks-superman-returns-557|archive-date=January 13, 2012))</ref> Although it was never formally announced, [[Matt Bomer]] confirmed that he was in the running for the lead role, being Ratner's preferred choice at the time. Bomer would later voice the character in the 2013 animated film ''[[Superman: Unbound]]''.<ref>((cite news|author=Rick Marshall|date=January 26, 2010|title='White Collar' Actor Recalls Brief Time As Brett Ratner's Superman|publisher=MTV Splash Page|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/01/26/white-collar-actor-recalls-brief-time-as-brett-ratners-superman/|url-status=dead|access-date=September 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021211800/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/01/26/white-collar-actor-recalls-brief-time-as-brett-ratners-superman/|archive-date=October 21, 2014))</ref> [[Amy Adams]] had also auditioned for Lois Lane, and would eventually win the role eight years later when she was cast in ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''.<ref>((cite news|author=Ethan Sacks|date=June 11, 2013|title='Man of Steel' star Amy Adams' super thrill: Getting dream role of Lois Lane she'd imagined since childhood|work=Daily News|location=New York|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/adams-super-dream-playing-lois-lane-true-article-1.1369425|access-date=July 10, 2013))</ref>

''Superman: Man of Steel'' was being met with a budget exceeding $200 million, not including money spent on ''Superman Reborn'', ''Superman Lives'' and ''Batman vs. Superman'', but Warner Bros. was still adamant for a summer 2004 release date.<ref name="Stallville" /> [[Christopher Walken]] was in negotiations for [[Perry White]], while Ratner wanted to cast [[Anthony Hopkins]] as Jor-El, and [[Ralph Fiennes]] as Lex Luthor, two of his cast members from ''[[Red Dragon (2002 film)|Red Dragon]]''.<ref>((cite web|author=Stax|date=March 19, 2003|title=Lex Lecter? Perry Walken? Jor-Ralph?|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390016p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107102327/http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390016p1.html|archive-date=January 7, 2007|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> [[Joel Edgerton]] turned down a chance to audition as Superman in favor of the villain Ty-Zor, before Ratner dropped out of the project in March 2003, blaming casting delays,<ref>((cite news|author=Stax|date=March 20, 2003|title=Ratner off ''Superman''|work=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390115p1.html|url-status=dead|access-date=February 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203224608/http://movies.ign.com/articles/390/390115p1.html|archive-date=February 3, 2007))</ref> and aggressive feuds with producer [[Jon Peters]].((Citation needed|date=December 2017))

[[McG]] returned as director in 2003, while Fraser continued to express interest, but had fears of typecasting.<ref>((cite web|author=Stax|date=November 3, 2003|title=Fraser Talks 'Superman'|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/457/457686p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> ESC Entertainment was hired for [[visual effects]] work, with Kim Libreri as visual effects supervisor and [[Stan Winston]] designing a certain "prototype suit".<ref>((cite web|author=Stax|date=March 24, 2004|title=''Superman'' Hirings|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/518/518265p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref> 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]].<ref>((cite news|author=William Keck|date=July 8, 2004|title='I, Robot' Has Superstar Input|work=[[USA Today]]|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-07-08-irobot-premiere_x.htm|access-date=February 6, 2008))</ref> [[Robert Downey Jr.]] was soon afterward cast as Lex Luthor.<ref name="playlist">((cite news|author=Gabe Toro|date=February 20, 2012|title=McG Says Robert Downey Jr. Would've Been Lex Luthor in His 'Superman'; Describes His Original, Darker Ending For 'Terminator: Salvation'|work=[[Indiewire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/02/mcg-says-robert-downey-jr-wouldve-been-lex-luthor-in-his-superman-describes-his-original-darker-ending-for-terminator-salvation-112903/|access-date=March 7, 2021))</ref> [[Neal H. Moritz]] and [[Gilbert Adler]] were set to produce the film. McG also commissioned [[Josh Schwartz]] to rewrite the Abrams script. He also shot test footage with several candidates, including [[Jason Behr]], [[Henry Cavill]], [[Jared Padalecki]],<ref name="Singer" /> and [[Michael Cassidy (actor)|Michael Cassidy]].<ref>((cite news|author=Oscar Dahl|date=June 20, 2007|title=Exclusive Interview: Michael Cassidy, from Hidden Palms Input|work=BuddyTV|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/hidden-palms/exclusive-interview-michael-ca-7511.aspx|url-status=dead|access-date=June 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517051113/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/hidden-palms/exclusive-interview-michael-ca-7511.aspx|archive-date=May 17, 2013))</ref> McG left the project soon afterward, blaming budgetary concerns and disagreement over filming locations. He opted to shoot in New York City and Canada, but Warner Bros. wanted [[Sydney]], [[Australia]], which would have cost $25 million less. McG released a statement saying that he felt "it was inappropriate to try to capture the heart of America on another continent".<ref>((cite web|last=Green|first=Willow|date=December 7, 2004|title=That's Just Super, Man|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/just-super-man/|work=Empire))</ref> He eventually admitted in a 2012 interview that his [[fear of flying]] was the real reason for his objection to Australia.<ref name="playlist" /> Abrams lobbied for the chance to direct his script,<ref>((cite news|author1=Michael Fleming|author2=Dave McNary|date=August 11, 2004|title=Par girding up for 'War'|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117908978|access-date=November 5, 2008))</ref> but Warner Bros. replaced McG with [[Bryan Singer]] in July 2004, resulting in ''[[Superman Returns]]'', that was released in 2006.<ref>((cite web|author=Stax|date=July 11, 2004|title=''Superman'' Director Up, Up, and Away!|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/529/529632p1.html|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=IGN))</ref>

In August 2013, [[Geoff Johns]] mentioned that [[Warner Bros.]] was considering turning unproduced scripts and screenplays into original animated films and had expressed interest in making an animated adaptation of the ''"Flyby"'' screenplay.<ref>((cite web|last=Chatwood|first=Adam|date=May 6, 2013|title=Could Warner Bros. Turn Unproduced Screenplays into DC Animated Films? Geoff Johns Says it's a Possibility|url=https://collider.com/jj-abrams-superman-dc-animated-movies/|access-date=July 30, 2016|publisher=Collider.com))</ref>

=== ((Anchor|Superman Returns II))''Superman Returns'' sequel (2008/09) ===
Four months before the release of ''[[Superman Returns]]'', Warner Brothers announced a summer 2009 theatrical release date for a sequel, with [[Bryan Singer]] returning as director,<ref>((cite news|date=February 23, 2006|title=Studio Sets ''Super'' Sequels|work=[[IGN]]|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/690/690806p1.html|access-date=March 13, 2008))</ref> along with [[Brandon Routh]],<ref name="update">((cite news|author=Kellvin Chavez|date=October 9, 2008|title=Exclusive: DC Comics President Gives ''Superman'' Update|work=Latino Review|url=http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-dc-comics-president-gives-superman-update-5511|access-date=October 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011054438/http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-dc-comics-president-gives-superman-update-5511 <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=October 11, 2008))</ref> [[Kevin Spacey]],<ref>((cite magazine|author=Anne Thompson|date=July 10, 2007|title=Spacey set for 'Superman' sequel|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117968333.html?categoryid=13&cs=1|magazine=Variety|access-date=March 13, 2008))</ref> [[Kate Bosworth]],<ref>((cite news|author=Heather Newgen|date=June 16, 2006|title=Superman Returns' Lois Lane, Kate Bosworth|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4382|access-date=March 13, 2008|archive-date=June 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618214912/http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4382|url-status=dead))</ref> [[Sam Huntington]],<ref>((cite news|author=Heather Newgen|date=June 9, 2006|title=Huntington Signed for Two 'Superman' Sequels|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4370|access-date=March 13, 2008|archive-date=June 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618213936/http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4370|url-status=dead))</ref> [[Frank Langella]],<ref>((cite news|author=Edward Douglas|date=November 8, 2007|title=Frank Langella on the Return of Perry White|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6509|access-date=March 13, 2008|archive-date=December 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210101246/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6509|url-status=dead))</ref> and [[Tristan Lake Leabu]] expected to reprise their roles.<ref name="brain">((cite web|author=Fred Topel|date=November 17, 2006|title=Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer Tease 'Superman Returns' Sequel|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/brandon-routh-and-bryan-singer-tease-superman-returns-sequel/|access-date=March 7, 2021|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]))</ref>

However, with the release of ''Superman Returns'' in July 2006, the studio was hesitant on moving forward with development. Warner Brothers President [[Alan F. Horn]] explained that ''Superman Returns'' was a very successful film, but that it "should have done $500 million worldwide" and that they "should have had perhaps a little more action to satisfy the young male crowd".<ref>((cite news|date=August 18, 2006|title=Horn Planning ''Superman'' Sequel for 2009|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4658|access-date=March 13, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303024550/http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4658|url-status=dead))</ref> Singer reacted incredulously to the studio complaints, saying that the "movie made $400 million! I don't know what constitutes under-performing these days".<ref name="singer-talks">((cite news|author=Olly Richards|date=March 12, 2008|title=Singer Talks ''Superman Returns'' Sequel|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22165|access-date=March 14, 2008))</ref>

Filming was supposed to start in March 2008.<ref>((cite news|date=March 19, 2007|title='Superman' Sequel Eyeing March '08 Start|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5358|access-date=March 13, 2008|archive-date=February 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202233528/http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5358|url-status=dead))</ref> While no screenplay was ever written, Singer would have titled it ''Man of Steel'', stressing that it would have been more action-packed than ''Superman Returns''.<ref name="Valkyrie">((cite news|author=Ben Brock|date=February 4, 2014|title=Bryan Singer Says 'Superman Returns' Was Made For "More of a Female Audience", Sequel Would've Featured Darkseid|work=[[Indiewire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2014/02/bryan-singer-says-superman-returns-was-made-for-more-of-a-female-audience-sequel-wouldve-featured-darkseid-89469/|access-date=March 7, 2021))</ref>

Though Singer had an interest in [[Darkseid]] as the main villain, writer [[Michael Dougherty]] was interested in using [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] for the proposed sequel:<blockquote>In my mind, if the Kryptonians really were a space-faring race&nbsp;... it would only make sense that there would've been colonies and off-planet missions&nbsp;... other Kryptonians making their way to Earth seemed like a pretty big one. It wouldn't necessarily be evil right off the bat. That's too easy and cliché&nbsp;... I think it'd be interesting to see how these other Kryptonians show up, land and have all these powers and [have to learn] how to adapt to them.<ref>((cite news|author=Christopher Bell|date=November 6, 2010|title=What Might Have Been: 'Superman Returns' Co-Writer Talks Loosely Planned Sequel|work=[[Indiewire]]|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2010/11/what-might-have-been-superman-returns-co-writer-talks-loosely-planned-sequel-121894/|access-date=2021-03-07|df=mdy-all))</ref></blockquote> In February 2007, the studio commissioned husband and wife duo Michele and [[Kieran Mulroney]] to write a script for a [[Justice League]] film,<ref>((cite news|author1=Pamela McClintock|author2=Ben Fritz|date=February 22, 2007|title='Justice' prevails for Warner Bros.|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960018|access-date=April 12, 2007))</ref> halting development for the ''Superman Returns'' sequel. The ''Justice League'' script was submitted to Warner Brothers the following June,<ref>((cite news|author=Pamela McClintock|date=June 15, 2007|title='Justice League' film gets script|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117967042|access-date=March 14, 2008))</ref> which prompted the studio to immediately fast-track production of what was to be titled ''[[Justice League: Mortal]]''. As Singer went on to film ''[[Valkyrie (film)|Valkyrie]]'' (2008) the next month,<ref name="Valkyrie" /> [[George Miller (filmmaker)|George Miller]] signed to direct in September.<ref>((cite news|author=Diane Garrett|date=September 20, 2007|title=George Miller to lead 'Justice League'|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972369|access-date=September 20, 2007))</ref>

The script would have featured a different Superman in a separate continuity from Singer's film; Routh was not approached to reprise his role for ''Justice League: Mortal'',<ref>((cite news|author=Frosty|date=April 23, 2008|title=Brandon Routh Exclusive Video Interview – 'Lie To Me'|work=Collider.com|url=https://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/7675/tcid/1|access-date=November 1, 2008))</ref> which ended up going to [[D. J. Cotrona]].<ref name="threat of strike">((cite news|last=Cieply|first=Michael|date=March 1, 2008|title=A Film's Superheroes Face Threat of Strike|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/movies/01justice.html|access-date=March 15, 2008))</ref> The film nearly went into production in March 2008,<ref>((cite news|author=Andrew Hornery|date=February 9, 2008|title=Gale is lassoed for film|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/people/garter-gossip-order-of-the-day/2008/02/08/1202234157863.html|access-date=February 27, 2008))</ref> but the [[Australian Film Commission]] denied Warner Brothers their 40% [[tax rebate]]<ref>((cite news|author=Kyle Buchanan|date=October 20, 2010|title=The Social Network's Armie Hammer Talks Special Effects, Misogyny, and the Downside of Being Tall and Handsome|work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]]|url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/10/armie_hammer_interview.html|access-date=September 8, 2014))</ref> and Cotrona's [[option (films)|options]] eventually expired.<ref>((cite news|author=Michaela Boland|date=January 17, 2008|title=Australia denies killing ''Justice League''|work=Variety|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117979263|access-date=March 15, 2008))</ref> With ''Justice League: Mortal'' canceled, Singer renewed his interest in the ''Superman Returns'' sequel that same month, stating that it was in early development.<ref name="singer-talks" /> [[Paul Levitz]], president of [[DC Comics]], still expected the title role to be reprised by Routh,<ref name="update" /> whose contract for a sequel expired in 2009.<ref>((cite news|author=Josh Wigler|date=July 6, 2009|title=Brandon Routh Says His 'Superman' Contract Has Expired|publisher=MTV Splash Page|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/06/brandon-routh-says-his-superman-contract-has-expired/|url-status=dead|access-date=December 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101135603/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/06/brandon-routh-says-his-superman-contract-has-expired/|archive-date=January 1, 2014))</ref>

In August 2008, the studio's President of Production Jeff Robinov admitted:<blockquote>''Superman Returns'' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to.… It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned.… Had ''Superman'' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009. Now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all.<ref name="wall" /></blockquote> Routh later reprised his role as Superman in the 2019 [[Arrowverse]] television crossover "[[Crisis on Infinite Earths (Arrowverse)|Crisis on Infinite Earths]]".

=== ((Anchor|Justice League: Mortal))''Justice League: Mortal'' (2009) ===
((main|Justice League: Mortal))
In February 2007, during pre-production for ''[[The Dark Knight]]'', Warner Brothers hired husband and wife screenwriting duo Michelle and [[Kieran Mulroney]] to script a ''Justice League'' film<ref>((cite news|author1=Pamela McClintock|author2=Ben Fritz|date=February 22, 2007|title='Justice' prevails for Warner Bros.|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117960018|access-date=April 12, 2007))</ref> featuring a younger Batman in a separate franchise.<ref name="Kit">((cite news|last=Borys Kit|date=October 15, 2007|title=The Vine: Young actors seek ''Justice''|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vine-young-actors-seek-justice-152538|access-date=March 16, 2008))</ref>

[[George Miller (filmmaker)|George Miller]] was hired to direct the following September,<ref name="threat of strike" /> with [[D. J. Cotrona]] was cast as Superman,<ref name="threat of strike" /> along with [[Armie Hammer]] as Batman.<ref>((cite news|last=Malkin|first=Marc|date=September 25, 2008|title=Holy Double Take, Batman! Here Comes a New Caped Crusader|work=[[E!]] Online|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b30975_holy_double_take_batman_here_comes_new.html|access-date=November 1, 2008))</ref> Filming had nearly commenced at [[Fox Studios Australia]] in Sydney, but was pushed back over the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers Guild of America strike]], and once more when the [[Australian Film Commission]] denied Warner Bros. a 45 percent tax rebate over lack of Australian actors in the film.<ref>((cite news|last=Garry Maddox|date=March 19, 2008|title=Mega movie refused rebate|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/film/mega-miller-movie-refused-rebate/2008/03/18/1205602383792.html|access-date=March 19, 2008))</ref> Production offices were moved to [[Vancouver Film Studios]] in Canada for an expected July 2008 start and a planned summer 2009 theatrical release date,<ref>((cite news|last=Garrett|first=Diane|date=February 26, 2008|title=Warner Bros. to serve 'Justice' in '09|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981504|access-date=March 15, 2008))</ref><ref>((cite news|author1=Michael Fleming|author2=Pamela McClintock|date=February 27, 2008|title=Film greenlights in limbo|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981560|access-date=March 15, 2008))</ref> but Warner Bros. ultimately canceled ''Justice League'' following the success of ''The Dark Knight''. Hammer's option on his contract lapsed and the studio was more willing to proceed with Christopher Nolan to finish his trilogy separately with ''The Dark Knight Rises''.<ref>((cite news|last=Seijas|first=Casey|date=March 9, 2009|title=Justice League' Movie Still A Possibility, Says Director... Just Not Anytime Soon|publisher=MTV Splash Page|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/09/exclusive-justice-league-movie-still-a-possibility-says-director-just-not-anytime-soon/|access-date=September 17, 2014))</ref>

=== ((Anchor|Man of Steel sequel))''Man of Steel'' sequel (2014-2022) ===
[[Warner Bros. Pictures]] announced release dates for a full slate of [[DC Comics]]-based films in October 2014, forming a new [[shared universe]] known as the [[DC Extended Universe]] (DCEU). At the same time, the company said that an un-dated [[Superman]] film was in development, with [[Henry Cavill]] set to reprise his role of [[Clark Kent (DC Extended Universe)|Clark Kent / Superman]] from ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]'' (2013).<ref name="Oct2014Slate" /> Warner Bros. chose to prioritize ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'' (2016) as the second DCEU film after ''Man of Steel'' failed to meet the company's financial expectations, despite turning a profit. Director [[Zack Snyder]] said that [[Brainiac (character)|Brainiac]] and the [[Kryptonian]]s imprisoned in the [[Phantom Zone]] were considered as antagonists for the ''Man of Steel'' sequel before Warner Bros. decided to proceed with ''Batman v Superman''.<ref name="SnyderMoS22021" /> ''[[TheWrap]]'' reported that a sequel to ''Man of Steel'' entered active development in August 2016, that the studio wanted to get the character right for audiences, and that it was a top priority for them.<ref name="SequelDevelopment" /> Cavill's manager [[Dany Garcia]] confirmed the following month that the actor was in development on another standalone Superman film.<ref name="GarciaSep2016" /> That November, [[Amy Adams]], who portrayed [[Lois Lane (DC Extended Universe)|Lois Lane]] in ''Man of Steel'', said the studio was working on a screenplay for the sequel.<ref name="AdamsNov2016" /> [[Matthew Vaughn]] was Warner Bros.' top choice to direct the film, and he had preliminary conversations about the project by March 2017.<ref name="VaughnMar2017" /> Vaughn had previously [[Pitch (filmmaking)|pitched]] an idea for a new Superman trilogy with comic book writer [[Mark Millar]], prior to the development of ''Man of Steel'', in which the destruction of the planet [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] would not take place until after Superman had already grown-up on the planet.<ref name="VaughnMay2019" /> After [[Production of Justice League (film)|the troubled production]] of the DCEU film ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017), Warner Bros. re-thought its approach to DC projects.<ref name="VarietyDec2017" /> By the end of 2017, a ''Man of Steel'' sequel was not coming "anytime soon, if at all". ''Justice League'' producer [[Charles Roven]] said that the story ideas for the film had been discussed, but there was no script.<ref name="CastChangesNov2017AP" />

Before the release of ''[[Mission: Impossible – Fallout]]'' in July 2018, director [[Christopher McQuarrie]] and co-star Cavill pitched their take on a new Superman film, but Warner Bros. did not pursue the idea.<ref name="McQuarriePitch" /> Later that year, the studio asked [[James Gunn]] to write and direct a Superman film, but he chose to make ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' (2021) instead;<ref name="DoGGunnApr2021" /><ref name="GunnSupermanOffer" /> Gunn was uncertain if he wanted to take on Superman, so Warner Bros. told him that he could adapt any DC property he liked.<ref name="DoGGunnApr2021" /> In September, negotiations for Cavill to reprise his role for a [[cameo appearance]] in ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]'' (2019) ended due to contract issues,<ref name="CavillSep2018" /> as well as a scheduling conflict with Cavill's ''Fallout'' commitments.<ref name="CavillSep2018" /><ref name="CavillNov2019" /> The actor was reported to be parting ways with the studio, with no plans for him to reprise his role in future projects,<ref name="CavillSep2018" /> but, in November 2019, Cavill said that he had not given up on the character and still wanted to do the role justice.<ref name="CavillNov2019" /> At that time, Warner Bros. was unsure which direction to take the character and was talking to "high-profile talent" about the property, including [[J. J. Abrams]]—whose company [[Bad Robot]] signed an overall deal with Warner Bros.' parent company [[WarnerMedia]]—and [[Michael B. Jordan]], who pitched himself as a Black version of the character.<ref name="VarietyNov2019" /> By May 2020, Warner Bros. was no longer developing a ''Man of Steel'' sequel, but Cavill was in talks to appear in a different future DC film.<ref name="CavillMay2020Deadline" /><ref name="CavillMay2020Variety" />

In October 2022, Warner Bros. was revealed to be developing a project that was described as being a sequel to ''Man of Steel'' with Roven serving as a producer and Cavill expected to reprise his role. The studio was searching for writers by then, and had a wishlist of directors that included McQuarrie, who reportedly had not been contacted and could be unable to direct due to his commitments to ''[[Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One]]'' (2023) and the [[Untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film|upcoming eighth film]] (2025). Cavill appeared that month in his role in the [[post-credits scene]] of the DCEU film ''[[Black Adam (film)|Black Adam]]'' (2022).<ref name="RovenCavillSequelOct2022" /> Cavill was revealed to have signed a one-off deal for ''Black Adam'', though Warner Bros. was interested in having him return for future projects including another solo film,<ref name="CavillOneOff" /> though there was only a verbal agreement on this.<ref name="BehindCavillFall" /> Shortly after, Warner Bros. had Cavill announce that he would return as Superman for future projects,<ref name="BehindCavillFall" /><ref name="CavillReturn" /> and the actor said his ''Black Adam'' cameo was intended to be a "very small taste" of plans for the character,<ref name="CavillReturn" /> who he said would be "enormously joyful" going forward.<ref name="CavillJoyfulSuperman" /> [[Steven Knight]] had written a script treatment around that time,<ref name="KnightDevelopmentStall" /> which reportedly included Brainiac as the antagonist.<ref name="BehindCavillFall" /> Warner Bros. executives were not thrilled about it and provided notes on it, and another writer was potentially hired due to Knight's busy schedule soon after.<ref name="KnightDevelopmentStall" /> [[Andy Muschietti]], who had directed ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'' (2023) for the studios, had expressed interest in directing a Superman project with a similar tone to [[Richard Donner]]'s ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'' (1978).<ref name="THRDec2022" /> Cavill had been paid $250,000 for each of his cameos in ''Black Adam'' and ''The Flash'' before the latter appearance was cut.<ref name="BehindCavillFall" />

Cavill expressed interest in November for a future project to explore Superman's "capacity to give and to love" the people of Earth and to inspire others,<ref name="CavillDesires" /> and said he was looking forward to meeting with James Gunn, who was then-recently appointed as the co-chairman and co-CEO of the newly formed [[DC Studios]] alongside [[Peter Safran]], and was excited about future opportunities to work together.<ref name="CavillGunn" /> ''TheWrap'' soon reported that the project was not moving forward quickly as Gunn and Safran were fine-tuning their long-term plans for a DC shared universe, and that Cavill had not yet signed a formal deal to return and no writer or director were attached.<ref name="TheWrapSetbacks" /> ''The Hollywood Reporter'' reported in December that a ''Man of Steel'' sequel with Cavill was unlikely as Gunn and Safran were set to share their still-in-flux plans with [[Warner Bros. Discovery]] CEO [[David Zaslav]] the following week,<ref name="THRDec2022" /> before reporting that development had ended,<ref name="KnightDevelopmentStall" /> and was replaced with a new film written by Gunn.<ref name="GunnWriterTHR" />

==Recurring cast and characters==
((Cast indicator|appeared=multiple film series that featured Superman|A|C|P|S|U|V|Y))

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:99%;"
|-
! style="width:15%;" | Character
! style="width:15%;" | Fleischer / Famous Studio animated shorts<br />((small|(1941–1943)))
! Serial films<br />((small|(1948–1950)))
! style="width:12%;" | ''[[Superman and the Mole Men]]''<br />((small|(1951)))
! [[Superman (1978 film series character)|Salkind series]]<br />((small|(1978–1987)))
! ''[[Superman Returns]]''<br />((small|(2006)))
! [[DC Extended Universe]]<br />((small|(2013–2023)))
! [[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]]<br />((small|(2025)))
|-
! [[Superman|Kal-El / Clark Kent<br />((small|Superman))]]
| [[Bud Collyer]]<hr />Sam Parker 
| [[Kirk Alyn]]
| [[George Reeves]]
| [[Christopher Reeve]]((efn|Additionally, [[Jeff East]], Lee Quigley, Aaron Smolinski, and Elizabeth Sweetman portray a young Kal-El at different ages in ''Superman'' (1978).))<hr>((small|[[Jeff East]]))((ref|young|Y))<ref name=East>((cite news | author = Steve Younis | url = http://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=interview-jeff-east | title = Exclusive Jeff East Interview | work = Superman Homepage | date = November 17, 2004 | access-date = September 4, 2008 | archive-date = September 1, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044821/https://www.supermanhomepage.com/movies/movies.php?topic=interview-jeff-east | url-status = live ))</ref><hr>((small|Aaron Smolinski))((ref|young|Y))
| [[Brandon Routh]]<hr>((small|Stephan Bender))((ref|young|Y))
| [[Henry Cavill]]<ref name="CavillCast">((cite web |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/125177-henry-cavill-to-play-superman?cpage=20#written_comments_title |title=Henry Cavill to Play Superman!! |publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]] |date=January 30, 2011 |access-date=January 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224051210/https://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/125177-henry-cavill-to-play-superman?cpage=20%23written_comments_title |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |url-status=live))</ref><ref name="CavillCast2"/>((efn|Additionally, [[Dylan Sprayberry]] and Cooper Timberline portray a young Kal-El at different ages in ''Man of Steel'', Ryan Hadley serves as a stand-in for the character in ''[[Shazam! (film)|Shazam!]]'' (2019), and [[Nicolas Cage]] portrays a Superman from an alternate universe in ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]''.))<hr>((small|[[Dylan Sprayberry]]))((ref|young|Y))<ref name="SprayberryMoS">((Cite web |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Meet the Young 'Man of Steel' Dylan Sprayberry |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2559627/man-of-steel-dylan-sprayberry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009102510/http://www.mtv.com/news/2559627/man-of-steel-dylan-sprayberry/ |archive-date=October 9, 2017 |access-date=March 31, 2021 |website=[[MTV News]]))</ref><hr>((small|Cooper Timberline))((ref|young|Y))<ref name="TimberlineMoS">((Cite web |last=Farrell |first=Tony |date=June 9, 2013 |title=Richmond boy plays young Clark Kent in 'Man of Steel' |url=https://richmond.com/entertainment/richmond-boy-plays-young-clark-kent-in-man-of-steel/article_c18ec5c5-16c0-5db5-8e45-8c0385487d0b.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401000211/https://richmond.com/entertainment/richmond-boy-plays-young-clark-kent-in-man-of-steel/article_c18ec5c5-16c0-5db5-8e45-8c0385487d0b.html |archive-date=April 1, 2021 |access-date=March 31, 2021 |website=[[Richmond Times-Dispatch]]))</ref>
| [[David Corenswet]]<ref name="CorenswetSuperman">((Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=June 27, 2023 |title='Superman: Legacy': James Gunn Taps David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan For Clark Kent And Lois Lane In DC Studios Film |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/superman-legacy-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-cast-1235420180/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627202401/https://deadline.com/2023/06/superman-legacy-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-cast-1235420180/ |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=June 27, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref><ref name="AllStarSupesInfluence">((Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=February 2, 2023 |title=All-Star Superman's Legacy: Inspiring the DC Universe's Superman Reboot |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-legacy-dc-studios-all-star-superman-explained-dc-universe-james-gunn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202062950/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/superman-legacy-dc-studios-all-star-superman-explained-dc-universe-james-gunn/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=February 2, 2023 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]))</ref> 
|-
! [[Lois Lane]]
| [[Joan Alexander]]
| [[Noel Neill]]
| [[Phyllis Coates]]
| [[Margot Kidder]]
| [[Kate Bosworth]]
| [[Amy Adams]]<ref name="AdamsCast">((cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2598531/superman-amy-adams-lois-lane-2/ |title=Is Superman's New Lois Lane Really Too Old for the Man of Steel? |last=Arrant |first=Chris |publisher=MTV |date=March 29, 2011 |access-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209055504/http://www.mtv.com/news/2598531/superman-amy-adams-lois-lane-2/ |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |url-status=live))</ref><ref name="AdamsCast2">((cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/03/27/amy-adams-lois-lane-superman/ |title=Amy Adams to play Lois Lane in 'Superman' |last=Vilkomerson |first=Sara |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=March 27, 2011 |access-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922162809/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/03/27/amy-adams-lois-lane-superman |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |url-status=live))</ref>
| [[Rachel Brosnahan]]<ref name="CorenswetSuperman" /><ref name="BrosnahanJan2024" />
|-
! [[Perry White]]
| Julian Noa
| [[Pierre Watkin]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Jackie Cooper]]
| [[Frank Langella]]
| [[Laurence Fishburne]]<ref name="FishburneCast">((cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1668388/laurence-fishburne-superman-man-of-steel.jhtml |title='Man Of Steel' Taps Laurence Fishburne As News Chief Perry White |last=Ditzian |first=Eric |publisher=MTV |date=March 8, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803043153/http://www.mtv.com/news/1668388/laurence-fishburne-superman-man-of-steel/ |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=live))</ref>
| [[Wendell Pierce]]<ref name="Pierce" />
|-
! [[Jimmy Olsen]]
| [[Jack Mercer]]
| [[Tommy Bond]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Marc McClure]]
| [[Sam Huntington]]
| [[Michael Cassidy (actor)|Michael Cassidy]]((ref|cameo|C))<ref name="CassidyBvS">((Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |date=March 25, 2016 |title=Batman v Superman: Jimmy Olsen appearance revealed |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/03/25/batman-v-superman-jimmy-olsen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219083221/https://ew.com/article/2016/03/25/batman-v-superman-jimmy-olsen/ |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=April 1, 2021 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]))</ref>
| [[Skyler Gisondo]]<ref name="Gisondo" />
|-
! [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Jonathan Kent]]
| ((cEmpty))
| Edward Cassidy
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Glenn Ford]]
| ((N/A|Glenn Ford))((ref|photo|P))
| [[Kevin Costner]]<ref name="CostnerCast">((cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/03/kevin-costner-joins-zack-snyders-superman-reboot.html |title=Kevin Costner Joins Zack Snyder's Superman Reboot |last=Moore |first=Bo |work=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |date=March 18, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825065326/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/03/kevin-costner-joins-zack-snyders-superman-reboot.html |archive-date=August 25, 2011 |url-status=live))</ref>
| rowspan="2" ((TBA))
|-
! [[Jonathan and Martha Kent|Martha Kent]]
| ((cEmpty))
| Virginia Caroll
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Phyllis Thaxter]]
| [[Eva Marie Saint]]
| [[Diane Lane]]<ref name="LaneCast">((cite web|url=https://collider.com/diane-lane-superman/ |title=Diane Lane Will Play Martha Kent in Superman |last=Bettinger |first=Brendan |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=March 2, 2011 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130408060638/http://collider.com/diane-lane-superman/ |archive-date=April 8, 2013 |url-status=live))</ref>
|-
! [[Lex Luthor]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Lyle Talbot]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Gene Hackman]]
| [[Kevin Spacey]]
| [[Jesse Eisenberg]]<ref name="EisenbergBvS">((Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |date=January 31, 2014 |title=Jesse Eisenberg Cast As Lex Luthor in Superman/Batman, Jeremy Irons Set as Alfred |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/jesse-eisenberg-cast-as-lex-luthor-in-supermanbatman-jeremy-irons-set-as-alfred-1201079902/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323215025/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/jesse-eisenberg-cast-as-lex-luthor-in-supermanbatman-jeremy-irons-set-as-alfred-1201079902/ |archive-date=March 23, 2015 |access-date=April 4, 2015 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>
| [[Nicholas Hoult]]<ref>((cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/nicholas-hoult-superman-legacy-lex-luther-1235630393/|title=‘Superman: Legacy’: Nicholas Hoult Lands Role Of Lex Luthor|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=20 November 2023|access-date=21 November 2023|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref><ref name="HoultConfirm" /><ref name="CastingMay2023THR" /><ref name="HoultInspo" />
|-
! [[Eve Teschmacher (character)|Eve Teschmacher]]
| colspan="3" ((cEmpty))
| [[Valerie Perrine]]
| colspan="2" ((cEmpty))
| [[Sara Sampaio]]<ref name="Sampaio" />
|-
! [[Jor-El]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Nelson Leigh]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Marlon Brando]]
| ((N/A|Marlon Brando))((ref|archive|A))
| [[Russell Crowe]]<ref name="CroweCast">((cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/russell-crowe-eyes-superman-movie-202034 |title=Russell Crowe Eyes 'Superman' Movie |last=Kit |first=Borys |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 15, 2011 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618025041/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/russell-crowe-eyes-superman-movie-202034 |archive-date=June 18, 2011 |url-status=live))</ref> 
| rowspan="2" ((TBA))
|-
! [[Lara (comics)|Lara Lor-Van]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Luana Walters]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Susannah York]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Ayelet Zurer]]<ref name="Ormond">((cite web |url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/51355 |title=Julia Ormond Out As Man of Steel's Biological Mom!! |website=[[Ain't It Cool News]] |date=September 25, 2011 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226033040/http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/51355 |archive-date=December 26, 2019 |url-status=live))</ref>
|-
! [[General Zod]]
| colspan="3" ((cEmpty))
| [[Terence Stamp]]
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Michael Shannon]]<ref name="ShannonCast"/><hr>[[Greg Plitt]]((ref|special effects|S))
| ((cEmpty))
|-
! [[Lana Lang]]
| colspan="3" ((cEmpty))
| [[Annette O'Toole]]<hr>((small|Diane Sherry))((ref|young|Y))
| ((cEmpty))
| Jadin Gould<ref name="GouldCast">((cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/man-steel-adds-jadin-gould-young-lana-lang/ |title='Man of Steel' Adds Jadin Gould as Young Lana Lang |last=Fischer |first=Russ |website=[[/Film]] |date=January 24, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127055648/http://www.slashfilm.com/man-steel-adds-jadin-gould-young-lana-lang/ |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |url-status=live))</ref><hr>((small|Emily Peterson))((ref|old|O))
| ((TBA))
|-
! [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Kara Zor-El / Linda Danvers<br />((small|Supergirl))]]
| colspan="3" ((cEmpty))
| [[Helen Slater]]<ref>((cite news|author=Pantozzi, Jill|title=Helen Slater is Still "Super"|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=7 December 2009|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23956|access-date=9 October 2010))</ref>
| ((cEmpty))
| [[Sasha Calle]]<ref name="CalleSupergirl">((Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=February 19, 2021 |title=DC Universe's New Supergirl Is 'Young And The Restless' Actress Sasha Calle; Will Make Debut In Upcoming 'Flash' Film |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/supergirl-young-and-the-restless-actress-sasha-calle-the-flash-movie-dc-1234697190/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219185515/https://deadline.com/2021/02/supergirl-young-and-the-restless-actress-sasha-calle-the-flash-movie-dc-1234697190/ |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref><ref name="CalleSupergirl2">((Cite web |last=Coach |first=Aaron |date=February 19, 2021 |title='The Flash' Movie Enlists Sasha Calle as Supergirl |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/the-flash-enlists-sasha-calle-as-supergirl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219191849/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/the-flash-enlists-sasha-calle-as-supergirl |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 19, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref><ref name="Premise" /><hr>Helen Slater((ref|cameo|C))((ref|special|S))((efn|This version of the character is that seen in the ''[[Supergirl (1984 film)|Supergirl]]'' film.))
| [[Milly Alcock]]<ref>((Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |date=2024-01-29 |title=‘Supergirl’: New Woman Of Steel Is ‘House Of The Dragon’s Milly Alcock |url=https://deadline.com/2024/01/supergirl-milly-alcock-1235807989/ |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=Deadline |language=en-US))</ref><ref name="Alcock" /><ref name="AlcockTHR" />
|-
|}
((Notelist))

==Reception==
===Box office performance===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:99%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Film
! colspan="2" | Release date
! colspan="4" | Box office gross
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable"| ((nowrap|((Abbr|Ref(s)|References))))
|-
! North America
! Other<br />territories
! North America
! North American<br />gross when adjusted<br />for inflation
! Other<br />territories
! Worldwide
|-
| ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">December 15, 1978</div>
| $134,451,603
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|134451603|1978))))
| $166 million
| $300,218,018
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman.htm | title=Superman (1978) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Superman II]]''
| June 19, 1981
| December 4, 1980
| $108,185,706
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|108185706|1980))))
| $82.2 million
| $190,385,706
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman2.htm | title=Superman II (1981) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">((cite book|last1=Block|first1=Alex Ben|last2=Wilson|first2=Lucy Autrey|last3=Lucas|first3=George|last4=Coppola|first4=Francis Ford|title=George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-by-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success|date=2010|publisher=itBooks|location=New York|isbn=9780061778896|pages=vii & 534|edition=1st|url=https://archive.org/details/georgelucassbloc00alex))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Superman III]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">June 17, 1983</div>
| $59,950,623
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|59950623|1983))))
| $20.2 million
| $80,150,623
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman3.htm | title=Superman III (1983) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Supergirl (1984 film)|Supergirl]]''
| November 21, 1984
| July 19, 1984 
| $14,296,438
|| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|14296438|1984))))
| ((N/A))
| $14,296,438
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4252141057/weekend/ | title=Supergirl (1984) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">July 24, 1987</div>
| $15,681,020
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|15681020|1987))))
| $21 million
| $36,681,020
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman4.htm | title=Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Superman Returns]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">June 28, 2006</div>
| $200,081,192
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|200081192|2006))))
| $191 million
| $391,081,192
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman06.htm | title=Superman Returns (2006) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 17, 2007))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">June 14, 2013</div>
| $291,045,518
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|291045518|2013))))
| $377 million
| $668,045,518
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman2012.htm | title=Man of Steel (2013) | access-date=July 15, 2014 | website=Box Office Mojo))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">March 25, 2016</div>
| $330,360,194	 
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|330,360,194|2016))))
| $542.2 million
| $872,637,528	
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman2015.htm | title=Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) | access-date=April 8, 2016 | website=Box Office Mojo))</ref>
|-
| ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]''
| colspan=2| <div style="text-align: center;">November 17, 2017</div>
| $229,024,295
| $((formatnum:((Inflation|US|229,024,295|2017))))
| $432.3 million
| $661,326,987
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0974015/ | title=Justice League (2017) | access-date=September 22, 2021 | website=Box Office Mojo))</ref>
|-
! colspan="3" | Total
! $1,383,076,589
! $2,103,213,275
! $1,828.6 million
! $3,211,448,133
!<ref>((cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=superman.htm | title=Superman Moviesat the Box Office | access-date=September 22, 2021 | website=Box Office Mojo))</ref>
|}

===Critical and public response===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:99%; text-align:center;"
|-
! Film
! [[Rotten Tomatoes]]
! [[Metacritic]]
! [[CinemaScore]]
|- 
| ''Superman''
| 95% (68 reviews)<ref name=rotsup>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_the_movie/|title=Superman|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 81 (11 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman|title=Superman|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((N/A))
|-
| ''Superman II''
| 83% (52 reviews)<ref name=rotsup2>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_ii/|title=Superman II|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 83 (11 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman-ii|title=Superman II|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((N/A))
|-
| ''Superman III''
| 30% (53 reviews)<ref name=rotsup3>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iii/|title=Superman III|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 44 (9 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman-iii|title=Superman III|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((N/A))
|-
| ''Supergirl''
| 8% (32 reviews)<ref name=rotsup4>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/supergirl|title=Supergirl|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 41 (12 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/supergirl|title=Supergirl|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((N/A))
|-
| ''Superman IV: The Quest for Peace''
| 10% (46 reviews)<ref name=rotsup5>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iv_the_quest_for_peace/|title=Superman IV: The Quest for Peace|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 24 (10 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman-iv-the-quest-for-peace/|title=Superman IV: The Quest for Peace|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((sort grade|C))<ref name="Scs">((cite web|url=http://www.cinemascore.com/|title=Cinemascore|work=Cinemascore.com|access-date=February 21, 2015))</ref>
|-
| ''Superman Returns''
| 74% (268 reviews)<ref name=rotreturn>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_returns/|title=Superman Returns|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| 72 (40 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman-returns| title=Superman Returns|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 2, 2012))</ref>
| ((sort grade|B+))<ref name="Scs" />
|-
| ''Man of Steel''
| 56% (340 reviews)<ref name="rotmanofsteel">((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_man_of_steel/|title=Man of Steel|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=October 15, 2013))</ref>
| 55 (47 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/man-of-steel| title=Man of Steel|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=July 9, 2013))</ref>
| ((sort grade|A−))<ref name="Scs" />
|-
| ''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice''
| 29% (435 reviews)<ref name=rotdawn>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_v_superman_dawn_of_justice/|title=Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice |publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=March 28, 2016))</ref>
| 44 (51 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice|title=Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=March 30, 2016))</ref>
| ((sort grade|B))<ref name="Scs" />
|-
| ''Justice League''
| 39% (407 reviews)<ref name=JLRT>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/justice_league_2017|title=Justice League (2017)|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 22, 2021))</ref>
| 45 (52 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/justice-league|title=Justice League Reviews|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 22, 2021))</ref>
| ((sort grade|B+))<ref name="Scs" />
|-
| ''Zack Snyder's Justice League''
| 71% (305 reviews)<ref name=ZSJLRT>((cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zack_snyders_justice_league|title=Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)|publisher=[[Flixster]]|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=September 22, 2021))</ref>
| 54 (45 reviews)<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/zack-snyders-justice-league|title=Zack Snyder's Justice League Reviews|publisher=[[CBS]]|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=September 22, 2021))</ref>
| ((N/A|))
|}

==Home media==
===Collections===
The initial four ''Superman'' films starring [[Christopher Reeve]] were released previously on [[VHS]], and throughout the film series' history, three [[box set]]s of the films have been released by Warner Bros. The first occurred on May 1, 2001, when '''''The Complete Superman Collection''''' was released both on DVD and VHS, containing that year's DVD/home video releases of ''[[Superman (1978 film)|Superman]]'', ''[[Superman II|II]]'', ''[[Superman III|III]]'', and ''[[Superman IV: The Quest for Peace|IV: The Quest for Peace]]''. The set was valued at US$49.99 for the DVD release and US$29.99 for the VHS release, and received positive reviews.<ref>((cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,108170,00.html|title=The Complete Superman Collection (2001)|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=December 31, 2008|date=May 4, 2001))</ref>

The four Christopher Reeve films were again released on November 28, 2006, in new DVD releases to coincide with ''[[Superman Returns]]'', also released in that year. ''Superman'' (1978) was released in a four-disc '[[special edition]]' similar to ''Superman II'', which was released in a two-disc special edition. Both ''Superman III'' and ''IV'' were released in single disc '[[deluxe edition]]s', and all four releases were available together in '''''The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection''''', an 8-disc set that was valued at US$79.92 and received positive reviews (like the 2001 set before it).<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16168 |title=The Christopher Reeve Superman Collection DVD Review|publisher=UGO.com |access-date=December 31, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214040526/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/article/?id=16168|archive-date=February 14, 2009))</ref>

Also on November 28, 2006, a 14-disc DVD box set titled '''''Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition''''' was released, containing the four Reeve films, along with ''[[Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut]]'', ''Superman Returns'', and ''[[Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman]]'', among other releases. All contents of the set were housed within a [[tin]] case. The set was valued at US$99.92, and received extremely positive reviews when first released.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25423/superman-ultimate-collectors-edition/|title=Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition|publisher=[[DVD Talk]]|access-date=December 31, 2008))</ref> However, after only a day on the market, Warner Bros announced that there were two errors discovered within the set: the first was that the 2.0 audio track on ''Superman'', was instead the 5.1 audio track already on the disc; and the second was that the ''Superman III'' disc was not the 2006 deluxe edition as advertised, but the 2001 release instead. The set was soon recalled, and Warner Bros offered a toll-free number to replace the faulty discs for people who had already purchased the set.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/NE1fU162IXA442|title=Warner Bros. Issues Statement Regarding Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition|date=December 2006|publisher=Movie Web|access-date=December 31, 2008|archive-date=February 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214093216/http://www.movieweb.com/news/NE1fU162IXA442|url-status=dead))</ref> Due to popular demand, a corrected set was released and ''Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition'' returned to store shelves on May 29, 2007.<ref>((cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=5432|title=Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition Returns May 29|date=April 2, 2007|publisher=[[Superhero Hype!]]|access-date=December 31, 2008))</ref>

On October 14, 2008, another Christopher Reeve ''Superman'' film collection was released, entitled '''''Superman: 4 Film Favorites''''', containing all four films, but with far less bonus material than previous sets. The collection was a 2-disc [[DVD-9|DVD-18]] set that included the first disc of both special editions from the 2006 release and both deluxe editions.

The entire ''Superman'' anthology was released on [[Blu-ray]] for the first time on June 7, 2011.<ref>((cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/49083/superman-the-motion-picture-anthology/|title=Superman: The Motion Picture Anthology (Blu-ray) |date= June 7, 2011|work=DVD Talk|access-date=November 21, 2011))</ref>

All of the Christopher Reeve ''Superman'' films were released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] in 2023.<ref>((Cite web |title=WarnerBros.com ((!)) SUPERMAN 1978-1987 4K ULTRA HD 5-FILM COLLECTION ((!)) Movies |url=https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/superman-1978-1987-4k-ultra-hd-5-film-collection |access-date=2023-05-13 |website=www.warnerbros.com))</ref>

==See also==
((wikiquote))
* [[Superman curse]] — a series of supposedly related incidents, sometimes fatal, that have affected many associated in producing Superman in film and animation
* [[Superman franchise media]]
* [[:Category:Fan films based on Superman]]
* [[Batman in film]]
* [[Steel (1997 film)|Steel (film)]]

==References==
((Reflist|refs=

<!-- JAMES GUNN'S FILM -->

<ref name="GunnSupermanPriority">((Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=December 10, 2022 |title=James Gunn Calls Superman "Huge Priority", Debunks Speculation About His Feelings Toward Henry Cavill |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-gunn-superman-huge-priority-henry-cavill-1235279420/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210233735/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/james-gunn-superman-huge-priority-henry-cavill-1235279420/ |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=December 10, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="GunnWriterTHR">((Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=December 14, 2022 |title=James Gunn Writing Superman Movie |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-movie-in-the-works-james-gunn-1235282481/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215015715/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-movie-in-the-works-james-gunn-1235282481/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="GunnWriterDeadline">((Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 14, 2022 |title=New 'Superman' Pic In The Works With James Gunn Penning, Henry Cavill Not To Star; Ben Affleck In Talks To Helm A Future DC Pic |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/superman-henry-cavill-james-gunn-ben-affleck-dc-1235199737/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215015927/https://deadline.com/2022/12/superman-henry-cavill-james-gunn-ben-affleck-dc-1235199737/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref>

<ref name="GunnWriterVariety">((Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=December 14, 2022 |title=James Gunn Writing New 'Superman' Film; Henry Cavill Will Not Return, but Eyed to Play Different DC Character |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/james-gunn-writing-superman-movie-henry-cavill-out-1235461889/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215023607/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/james-gunn-writing-superman-movie-henry-cavill-out-1235461889/ |archive-date=December 15, 2022 |access-date=December 14, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>

<!-- BLACK-LED SUPERMAN FILM -->

<ref name="CoatesFilm">((Cite web |last=Mangum |first=Trey |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Ta-Nehisi Coates To Write Upcoming Superman Film From DC And Warner Bros. |url=https://shadowandact.com/ta-nehisi-coates-superman-dc-warner-bros-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227063345/https://shadowandact.com/ta-nehisi-coates-superman-dc-warner-bros-film |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |website=[[Shadow and Act (website)|Shadow and Act]]))</ref>

<ref name="CoatesBlackSuperman">((Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Couch |first2=Aaron |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Ta-Nehisi Coates to Write New Superman Movie for Warner Bros. |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ta-nehisi-coates-to-write-new-superman-movie-for-warner-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227004507/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ta-nehisi-coates-to-write-new-superman-movie-for-warner-bros |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="CoatesFilmTHR">((Cite web |last=Newby |first=Richard |date=February 26, 2021 |title=Ta-Nehisi Coates and the Future of Superman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ta-nehisi-coates-and-the-future-of-superman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227063314/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ta-nehisi-coates-and-the-future-of-superman |archive-date=February 27, 2021 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="CoatesFilmDirectorSearchMay2021">((Cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=May 5, 2021 |title=Behind Warner Bros.' Search for a Black Superman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/black-superman-ta-nehisi-coates-warner-bros-movie-1234947599/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505162454/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/black-superman-ta-nehisi-coates-warner-bros-movie-1234947599/ |archive-date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=May 5, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="JordanRacebending">((Cite web |last=Broadnax |first=Jamie |date=July 22, 2021 |title=When Racebending Goes Too Far: Erasing Existing Black Characters |url=https://blackgirlnerds.com/when-racebending-goes-too-far-erasing-existing-black-characters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722211225/https://blackgirlnerds.com/when-racebending-goes-too-far-erasing-existing-black-characters/ |archive-date=July 22, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=[[Black Girl Nerds]]))</ref>

<ref name="JordanValZod">((Cite web |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |date=July 23, 2021 |title=Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max |url=https://collider.com/michael-b-jordan-black-superman-project-val-zod-hbo-max/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723213117/https://collider.com/michael-b-jordan-black-superman-project-val-zod-hbo-max/ |archive-date=July 23, 2021 |access-date=July 23, 2021 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]))</ref>

<ref name="RovenCavillSequelOct2022">((Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=October 17, 2022 |title=DC at a Turning Point: James Gunn Pitches Secret Movie, Dwayne Johnson Flexes His Superman Power (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dc-movies-james-gunn-pithces-dwayne-johnson-1235243030/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017231306/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/dc-movies-james-gunn-pithces-dwayne-johnson-1235243030/ |archive-date=October 17, 2022 |access-date=October 17, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="NoDillard">((Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |date=November 8, 2022 |title='Devotion' Filmmaker J.D. Dillard No Longer Developing 'Star Wars' Movie for Lucasfilm (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jd-dillard-star-wars-movie-update-rocketeer-sequel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108195342/https://www.thewrap.com/jd-dillard-star-wars-movie-update-rocketeer-sequel/ |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |website=[[TheWrap]]))</ref>

<!-- MAN OF STEEL SEQUEL -->

<ref name="Oct2014Slate">((Cite magazine |last=Franich |first=Darren |date=October 15, 2014 |title=Warner Bros. announces 10 DC movies, including 'Wonder Woman' |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/10/15/justice-league-green-lantern-wonder-woman-flash-movies/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730223226/https://ew.com/article/2014/10/15/justice-league-green-lantern-wonder-woman-flash-movies/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |access-date=May 7, 2017))</ref>

<ref name="SequelDevelopment">((Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=August 8, 2016 |title=Warner Bros. Puts 'Man of Steel' Sequel Into Active Development (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-puts-man-of-steel-sequel-into-active-development-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811202924/https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-puts-man-of-steel-sequel-into-active-development-exclusive/ |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2020 |website=[[TheWrap]]))</ref>

<ref name="GarciaSep2016">((Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Tufayel |date=September 15, 2016 |title=Dwayne Johnson's Rock: Meet Dany Garcia, the Woman Behind Hollywood's Highest Earner |url=https://www.newsweek.com/dwayne-johnsons-rock-meet-dany-garcia-woman-behind-hollywoods-highest-earner-497885 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916143253/https://www.newsweek.com/dwayne-johnsons-rock-meet-dany-garcia-woman-behind-hollywoods-highest-earner-497885 |archive-date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2020 |website=[[Newsweek]]))</ref>

<ref name="AdamsNov2016">((Cite web |last=Melrose |first=Kevin |date=November 6, 2016 |title=Amy Adams Confirms Man of Steel 2 Script is 'in the Works' |url=https://www.cbr.com/amy-adams-confirms-man-of-steel-2-script-is-in-the-works/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041327/https://www.cbr.com/amy-adams-confirms-man-of-steel-2-script-is-in-the-works/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2018 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]))</ref>

<ref name="VaughnMar2017">((Cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=March 13, 2017 |title=Exclusive: Warner Bros. Eyeing Matthew Vaughn to Direct 'Man of Steel 2' |url=https://collider.com/man-of-steel-2-director-matthew-vaughn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619062836/https://collider.com/man-of-steel-2-director-matthew-vaughn/ |archive-date=June 19, 2018 |access-date=April 27, 2018 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]))</ref>

<ref name="VaughnMay2019">((Cite web |last=Han |first=Karen |date=May 30, 2019 |title=Rocketman producer Matthew Vaughn explains what his Man of Steel 2 may have looked like |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/30/18645982/superman-man-of-steel-2-matthew-vaughn-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530200638/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/30/18645982/superman-man-of-steel-2-matthew-vaughn-update |archive-date=May 30, 2019 |access-date=June 1, 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]))</ref>

<ref name="McQuarriePitch">((Cite web |last=El-Mahmoud |first=Sarah |date=July 5, 2019 |title=Looks Like Christopher McQuarrie Pitched Both Superman And Green Lantern Movies To DC |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2476094/looks-like-christopher-mcquarrie-pitched-both-superman-and-green-lantern-movies-to-dc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705204956/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2476094/looks-like-christopher-mcquarrie-pitched-both-superman-and-green-lantern-movies-to-dc |archive-date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=July 18, 2019 |website=[[CinemaBlend]]))</ref>

<ref name="CastChangesNov2017AP">((Cite web |last=Coyle |first=Jake |date=November 14, 2017 |title=In 'Justice League', DC looks beyond Batman and Superman |url=https://apnews.com/da58d8cbb93d47098df6364edd6cdea4/In-Justice-League |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608064344/https://apnews.com/da58d8cbb93d47098df6364edd6cdea4/In-Justice-League |archive-date=June 8, 2020 |access-date=June 8, 2020 |website=[[Associated Press]]))</ref>

<ref name="VarietyDec2017">((Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=December 7, 2017 |title=DC Shake-Up in the Works After 'Justice League' Stumbles (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-firming-up-post-justice-league-plans-last-photograph-954812 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207220705/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/dc-films-justice-league-1202632214/ |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |access-date=February 9, 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>

<ref name="VarietyNov2019">((Cite web |last1=Brent |first1=Lang |last2=Kroll |first2=Justin |date=November 26, 2019 |title=DC Films Plots Future With Superman, Green Lantern and R-Rated Movies |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/dc-comics-superman-michael-b-jordan-green-lantern-aquaman-birds-of-prey-1203415757/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513175728/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/dc-comics-superman-michael-b-jordan-green-lantern-aquaman-birds-of-prey-1203415757/ |archive-date=May 13, 2020 |access-date=November 26, 2019 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>

<ref name="GunnSupermanOffer">((Cite web |last=Kaye |first=Don |date=February 4, 2019 |title=Report: Before The Suicide Squad, James Gunn was offered Superman |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/report-before-the-suicide-squad-james-gunn-was-offered-superman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205033233/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/report-before-the-suicide-squad-james-gunn-was-offered-superman |archive-date=February 5, 2019 |access-date=February 28, 2019 |website=[[Syfy Wire]]))</ref>

<ref name="DoGGunnApr2021">((Cite web |last=Crow |first=David |date=April 27, 2021 |title=The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Talks the Creative Freedom of That R-Rating |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-suicide-squad-james-gunn-talks-the-creative-freedom-of-that-r-rating/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210508225944/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-suicide-squad-james-gunn-talks-the-creative-freedom-of-that-r-rating/ |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=[[Den of Geek]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillMay2020Deadline">((Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 27, 2020 |title=We Haven't Seen the Last of Henry Cavill's Man of Steel |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/man-of-steel-henry-cavill-superman-warner-bros-1202945025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528033157/https://deadline.com/2020/05/man-of-steel-henry-cavill-superman-warner-bros-1202945025/ |archive-date=May 28, 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillMay2020Variety">((Cite web |last=<!-- Variety Staff --> |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Henry Cavill in Talks to Return as Superman in Upcoming DC Movie |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/henry-cavill-superman-movie-dc-comics-batman-justice-league-cameo-1234618227/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528091052/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/henry-cavill-superman-movie-dc-comics-batman-justice-league-cameo-1234618227/ |archive-date=May 28, 2020 |access-date=May 27, 2020 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillSep2018">((Cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Tatiana |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Henry Cavill Out as Superman Amid Warner Bros.' DC Universe Shake-Up (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/henry-cavill-as-superman-warner-bros-dc-universe-shake-up-1142306 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912150720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/henry-cavill-as-superman-warner-bros-dc-universe-shake-up-1142306 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillNov2019">((Cite web |last=Raftery |first=Brian |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Henry Cavill Won't Back Down |url=https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a29774618/henry-cavill-the-witcher-superman-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119164841/https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a29774618/henry-cavill-the-witcher-superman-interview/ |archive-date=November 19, 2019 |access-date=February 27, 2021 |website=[[Men's Health]]))</ref>

<ref name="SnyderMoS22021">((Cite web |last=Katz |first=Brandon |date=May 10, 2021 |title=Zack Snyder Reveals Who Would Have Fought Superman in 'Man of Steel 2' |url=https://observer.com/2021/05/zack-snyder-man-of-steel-sequel-villains-info-details/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510205517/https://observer.com/2021/05/zack-snyder-man-of-steel-sequel-villains-info-details/ |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=January 21, 2022 |website=[[The New York Observer]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillOneOff">((Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Heat Vision Newsletter |url=https://view.email.hollywoodreporter.com/?qs=4104a8158abfc29771cc22e26d052791595ea1a18f3c3d76b2d9a6542a973ca9e38fb05cb17179d4c0124b3f0ee7cfb7b3aea9f96d9f7ab78ae6eaa20b30a8ae342a9e6e67a38a48 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021211346/https://view.email.hollywoodreporter.com/?qs=4104a8158abfc29771cc22e26d052791595ea1a18f3c3d76b2d9a6542a973ca9e38fb05cb17179d4c0124b3f0ee7cfb7b3aea9f96d9f7ab78ae6eaa20b30a8ae342a9e6e67a38a48 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |access-date=October 23, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))<!-- Back-up ref: ((Cite web |last=Graham-Lowery |first=Nathan |date=October 22, 2022 |title=Black Adam Post Credits Scene Actor Signed One-Off Deal For DCEU Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/black-adam-henry-cavill-superman-dc-movie-future/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022152116/https://screenrant.com/black-adam-henry-cavill-superman-dc-movie-future/ |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |website=[[Screen Rant]]))--></ref>

<ref name="CavillReturn">((Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=October 24, 2022 |title=Henry Cavill Confirms He Is "Back as Superman" for Future DC Movies |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/superman-henry-cavill-back-black-adam-1235185234/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024161439/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/superman-henry-cavill-back-black-adam-1235185234/ |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillJoyfulSuperman">((Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=October 26, 2022 |title=Henry Cavill Says Superman Will Be 'Enormously Joyful' When He Returns: 'I Never Gave Up Hope' and 'There's a Bright Future Ahead' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/henry-cavill-interview-superman-return-joyful-1235415466/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026233716/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/henry-cavill-interview-superman-return-joyful-1235415466/ |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillDesires">((Cite web |last=Lapreziosa |first=Madeline |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Henry Cavill Interview: Enola Holmes 2 |url=https://screenrant.com/enola-holmes-2-henry-cavill-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101180315/https://screenrant.com/enola-holmes-2-henry-cavill-interview/ |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |access-date=November 1, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]]))</ref>

<ref name="CavillGunn">((Cite web |last=Bailey |first=Kat |date=November 1, 2022 |title=Henry Cavill on James Gunn's DC Studios Move: 'I Cannot Wait to Have Long Conversations With Him' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/henry-cavill-reacts-to-james-gunns-dc-studios |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104184457/https://www.ign.com/articles/henry-cavill-reacts-to-james-gunns-dc-studios |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[IGN]]))</ref>

<ref name="TheWrapSetbacks">((Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Umberto |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Henry Cavill's Superman Encounters Setbacks to Possible DC Return (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-superman-return-in-doubt-dc-future/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118201735/https://www.thewrap.com/henry-cavill-superman-return-in-doubt-dc-future/ |archive-date=November 18, 2022 |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=[[TheWrap]]))</ref>

<ref name="THRDec2022">((Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=December 7, 2022 |title=Patty Jenkins' 'Wonder Woman 3' Not Moving Forward as DC Movies Hit Turning Point (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/wonder-woman-3-not-moving-forward-dc-movies-1235276804/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208011649/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/wonder-woman-3-not-moving-forward-dc-movies-1235276804/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=December 7, 2022 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>

<ref name="KnightDevelopmentStall">((Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Heat Vision Newsletter |url=https://view.email.hollywoodreporter.com/?qs=27dca022a3daaae65e34d5c9adf6995782cfc61eaab8e66bfca2252281f2c4f81e01033071a71a9c0ecc309f5e4c7262de4febdb0635727011fb3e07e2b20074e11fc572b6d036b7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210034351/https://view.email.hollywoodreporter.com/?qs=27dca022a3daaae65e34d5c9adf6995782cfc61eaab8e66bfca2252281f2c4f81e01033071a71a9c0ecc309f5e4c7262de4febdb0635727011fb3e07e2b20074e11fc572b6d036b7 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))<!--Back up ref: ((Cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=December 9, 2022 |title=Man of Steel 2 Stalls After DC Leadership Change |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/man-of-steel-2-stalls-after-dc-leadership-change |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210034756/https://www.ign.com/articles/man-of-steel-2-stalls-after-dc-leadership-change |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |website=[[IGN]])) --></ref>

<ref name="BehindCavillFall">((Cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=December 16, 2022 |title=Behind the Fall of Henry Cavill's Superman |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-henry-cavill-is-no-longer-superman-1235283791/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216210001/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/why-henry-cavill-is-no-longer-superman-1235283791/ |archive-date=December 16, 2022 |access-date=December 16, 2022 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]))</ref>
))

((Superman in popular media))
((Supermanshorts))
((DC Comics films))
((Superman))
((Portal bar|Film|United States|Speculative fiction|Comics))

<!--Primary grouping categories-->

[[Category:Superman films| ]]
[[Category:Lists of films by franchise]]
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