As many fans know, there was another Superman movie planned just before ‘Superman Returns.’  At one point, Tim Burton, the eccentric director behind the first two Batman movies as well as quirky films like ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and ‘Beetlejuice‘, was attached to direct a Superman film based on a script by noted comic book geek Kevin Smith, with input from producer Jon Peters.

The film would have been based on the “Death of Superman” comic book story which sold in the millions and was at the time the best selling comic book ever.  It would have featured the rampaging monster Doomsday from that story as well as Lex Luthor and robotic menace Brainiac.  Oh and L-Ron, the “gay” robot from ‘Justice League International.’  (Well, C-3PO can’t be the only one.)

Burton cast Nicholas Cage as Superman, with Sandra Bullock and Courtney Cox rumored to play Lois Lane.  A myriad of actors were also rumored to be cast as Luthor and Brainiac.

The script has long circulated among fans, featuring polar bear guardians defending Superman’s Fortress of Solitude and a giant spider in the film’s climax.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) the film never came to fruition.  Warner Brothers scrapped the movie very late in the game, after it was very close to begin filming.

But as stated, the script has made the rounds.  Fans know what was planned and it was… not that bad.  Rumor has it, Smith’s script was too comic book friendly and pandered to the geek market too much.  In other words it was too good.

But documentary film maker Jon Schnepp wasn’t one to just let it go.  It’s incredibly rare for a movie studio to simply dismiss a movie after so much went into the pre-production.  Schnepp gathered every scrap of information and art he could find from the film and launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a documentary to pull back the curtain to reveal just what a spectacle this would have been.

First, check out his video asking for supporters to fund his movie.  (The Kickstarter is finished, just FYI.)

Now, with the documentary on its way, check out the trailer:

Are you interested in the Superman movie that never was?  Would you like to know more?  Check out the documentary when it comes out and comment below!

Source: THR