THE DEATH OF “SUPERMAN LIVES”: WHAT HAPPENED? (2015) ***

I remember in the late ‘90s hearing that Tim Burton was going to make a Superman movie based on The Death of Superman comics with Nicolas Cage as Superman and my brain just melted.  You have to remember, in those days, our comic book movies were few and far between.  They didn’t come out at a bi-monthly rate like they do nowadays.  Sadly, it was never to be.

The allure of what could’ve been is shown in tantalizing glimpses in director Jon Schnepp’s The Death of “Superman Lives”:  What Happened?  It is a documentary in the vein of Jodorowsky’s Dune.  Many of the major players in the film including screenwriter Kevin Smith (who reveals he stole the title from Fletch Lives), producer Jon Peters (who, ever the producer, takes a call in the middle of the interview), and director Tim Burton (who sometimes seems annoyed, but keeps his cool).  We even get to see some parts of the film revived via animation that integrates concept art and storyboards.

Unfortunately, Cage is not interviewed, but his quotes during previously taped interviews make it sound like he was approaching the character with respect while simultaneously putting his own quirky spin on it.  The archival footage of his costume fittings is priceless.  Although the much gossiped about “healing suit” is kind of funky, it’s a revelation to hear that it would’ve only taken up two minutes of screen time.  In fact, Cage actually looks badass with his long hair in the final classic Superman get-up.  His take on Clark Kent would’ve been unique too.  From the footage here, he would’ve made Clark a bigger dork than he’s usually portrayed, which could’ve been promising.  

The documentary itself, though a rather star-studded affair, feels a bit low rent.  The production values are a tad below your average behind-the-scenes DVD bonus feature.  Still, from an informational standpoint, any Superman fan worth their salt should walk away happy.

Superman Lives ultimately found life as Superman Returns.  That film, for me, was a mild and forgettable nostalgia fest that coasted heavily on what had come before.  Even with the oddball demands that Peters made to the script (like Brainiac fighting polar bears and Superman battling a giant spider), with Burton at the helm and Cage in the suit, it would’ve (for good or ill) at least been memorable and had its own identity.