The world of superhero cinema is a dazzling spectacle, filled with iconic figures soaring across the screen. But behind every successful blockbuster lies a graveyard of ambitious projects that never saw the light of day. These are the stories of the almost-were, the heroic tales left untold, and the cinematic dreams that vanished before reaching the audience.
Consider Plastic Man, a character brimming with potential. Imagine the visual possibilities of a hero who could reshape his body into anything imaginable! In the early 1990s, Steven Spielberg considered producing a film, and the Wachowskis – beforeThe Matrix– even crafted a script with Keanu Reeves potentially in the lead. Yet, despite this momentum, the project stalled, leaving Plastic Man a forgotten possibility.
The saga of Superman’s near-misses is particularly compelling. Tim Burton envisioned a strikingly different Man of Steel in the 1990s, with Nicolas Cage cast as Clark Kent. A stellar supporting cast – Chris Rock, Sandra Bullock, and Christopher Walken – added to the excitement. But production issues and script revisions led Warner Bros. to pull the plug, even after investing $30 million in costumes and promotion.
The attempts didn’t end there.Superman: Flybyfollowed, boasting a script by J.J. Abrams and a shortlist of potential stars including Josh Hartnett and Ashton Kutcher. Matt Bomer came incredibly close to landing the role, even signing a three-picture deal. However, directorial changes and conflicting visions ultimately led to the project’s demise, paving the way forSuperman Returnsyears later.
Wonder Woman, now a cinematic powerhouse, also faced a period of development limbo. Joss Whedon, the mastermind behindThe Avengers, was tasked with bringing the Amazonian princess to the big screen in 2005. But creative differences led to his departure, and the project languished for a decade, leaving fans to wonder about Whedon’s unique vision.
Hawkman, a character steeped in ancient mythology, also came close to a big-screen debut. Pitched as a blend ofIndiana Jones,The Da Vinci Code, andGhost, the concept was undeniably intriguing. Sadly, the project never progressed beyond the development stage, leaving Hawkman to his small-screen adventures.
Even Batman wasn’t immune to cancellation. ABatman Beyondfilm, with Michael Keaton poised to reprise his iconic role after his appearance inThe Flash, was scrapped following the disappointing box office performance of that film. Keaton’s return to the cape and cowl was ultimately denied.
The Silver Surfer, glimpsed inFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, almost received his own spotlight. J. Michael Straczynski penned a script for a spin-off, but the film’s underwhelming performance prevented the project from taking flight. The cosmic hero remained tethered to the largerFantastic Fouruniverse.
DC’s darker heroes also faced obstacles.Justice League Dark, a team dedicated to supernatural threats, attracted the attention of Guillermo del Toro, who developed a script featuring iconic characters like John Constantine and Swamp Thing. Despite his passion, the project stalled, and subsequent attempts, including a potential HBO series, also failed to materialize.
Finally, She-Hulk, the powerful cousin of the Incredible Hulk, experienced a similar fate. While she recently appeared in a Disney+ series, a big-screen adaptation was considered in the 1990s, with Brigitte Nielsen even undergoing makeup tests for the role. Ultimately, the project was cancelled, leaving She-Hulk waiting for her moment in the cinematic sun.
