DC fans are ecstatic now that one of the many cameos for the upcoming movie The Flash has been revealed. Long speculated as a possible appearance given the movie's multiversal nature, it's now been confirmed that Nicolas Cage's version of Superman is going to be in the film. Though the movie he was set to appear in was never made, bringing the concept to life is definitely within the realm of possibility.
Superman Lives has become almost a punchline within the movie and superhero fan communities, but there's still something to salvage. After all, many may be asking to see more of Cage's version of the Man of Steel, and animation could be the way to do it. Plus, with Warner Bros. Discovery wanting to give the newly-christened Max streaming service a killer app, a version of Superman Lives could be what's needed.
The Death of Superman Lives Couldn't Kill Nicolas Cage's Superman
In the late 1990s, the movie now known as Superman Lives began its tumultuous production, courtesy of a script from filmmaker and geek culture king Kevin Smith. The plot was a loose adaptation of The Death of Superman, with Doomsday, Lex Luthor and the technological mastermind Brainiac being the villains. The tentative cast would change quite a bit, with future Batman actor Ben Affleck once being considered for Superman. Ironically, Affleck did go on to play Superman actor George Reeves in Hollywoodland. Another bit of prophetic casting was Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, a role he would eventually play in 2006's Superman Returns.
By the time the film got in the hands of Batman 1989 director Tim Burton, things would get particularly interesting: Nicolas Cage -- himself a huge fan of the character -- was cast as Superman. The intent was for Cage to be even more distinct as Superman and Clark Kent than Christopher Reeve was in the previous four Superman movies. This reboot -- per the instructions of producer Jon Peters -- would have some rather strange choices. More specifically, the character would fight a giant spider and eschew his normal costume for fear of him looking like an "overgrown boy scout."
The costume showcased in behind-the-scenes footage was notable for its glow-in-the-dark aesthetic, belonging more in the world of Tron than on the body of the Man of Tomorrow. Superman Lives would eventually be abandoned after going through many hands. However, with its irreverent ideas and the questionable casting of Nicolas Cage in the title role, many fans were left to wonder what could have been. With The Flash, they're sure to get a glimpse of an answer, though this shouldn't be the last appearance of this particular Last Son of Krypton.
The Flash's Best Cameo Can Lead to a Superman Lives 'Revival'
One benefit of modern entertainment -- especially among geekier properties -- is that animation is no longer merely relegated as being for children. There have been several animated DC projects more geared toward fans and adults, with both animated adaptations of The Death of Superman being somewhat darker than many might have expected. With classic comic book storylines such as The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: The Killing Joke being turned into fan-oriented animated projects, some of these fans have theorized that the same could be done for abandoned DC movie scripts and ideas. The most worthy candidate for this would easily be Superman Lives if only to see just how strange it could have been.
That's probably going to be the case now, with a mere cameo in The Flash probably not being enough for some. An animated movie that either adapts Kevin Smith's script or simply continues the world of Superman Lives would be a great way to further showcase Nicolas Cage's Superman. With James Gunn wanting to create the new DC Universe on film, and cinematic "Elseworlds" projects being mostly limited to films whose predecessors were successful, there might not be an environment in which a solo live-action film for Nicolas Cage's Superman would be produced. Animation would be much cheaper and allow for things to go completely wild.
Likewise, Cage himself would probably jump at the idea of returning to the role in some capacity, especially since he jokingly homaged the Superman Lives casting by voicing Superman in Teen Titans Go! to the Movies. This could see a movie decades in the "making" finally come to life, giving audiences a glimpse at a much different Man of Steel. It might be several years late, but an animated project -- namely an exclusive one that bolsters the catalog of Max -- could finally give viewers the Superman vs. giant spider fight they've been waiting for.
The Flash races into theaters on June 9, 2023.