Imagine a world where Superman isn't the clean-cut hero we know, but a gritty, intense figure battling giant spiders. Sounds crazy, right? Well, that almost happened! Before Nicolas Cage was even considered, a surprising actor was in the running for the Man of Steel: Sean Penn. Yes, that Sean Penn. Buckle up, because this story is wild, and it all starts with a Hollywood producer who had a very specific vision for Superman.
The 2023 film "The Flash" featured a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment of Nicolas Cage as Superman fighting a giant spider, a nod to the infamous, never-made film "Superman Lives." In the movie, The Flash (Ezra Miller) travels so fast that he tears through time and space, glimpsing alternate realities. Among these fleeting visions were versions of Superman and Batman played by actors like Adam West, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, and Helen Slater. And then, there was Cage, locked in combat with a massive arachnid. This wasn't just a random gag; it was a reference to a real, albeit bizarre, chapter in Superman's cinematic history.
In the mid-1990s, Tim Burton, known for his dark and quirky style, was tapped to direct a "gritty reboot" of Superman, aptly titled "Superman Lives." The project was spearheaded by producer Jon Peters, a powerful figure in Hollywood with a penchant for the unusual. Peters had a very specific idea of what he wanted to see: Superman fighting a giant spider. A script was commissioned, Nicolas Cage was cast, and even costume designs were created. You can easily find pictures online of Cage in the proposed Superman suit – a sight to behold, indeed!
Much of the behind-the-scenes drama of "Superman Lives" has been documented in Jon Schnepp's 2015 documentary, "The Death of 'Superman Lives': What Happened?" and through the hilarious anecdotes of filmmaker Kevin Smith, who was initially hired to write a draft of the screenplay. Smith's stories have become legendary, especially regarding Peters' obsession with giant spiders. In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter caught up with Smith to get his reaction to "The Flash" cameo, and he was thoroughly entertained. But here's where it gets controversial... Smith also revealed that Peters initially wanted Sean Penn for the role of Superman!
Smith's stories paint a picture of Peters as someone who didn't quite get Superman. According to Smith, Peters allegedly disliked the idea of Superman flying and wanted to minimize his time in costume. He also envisioned a humorous, queer sidekick for Superman, similar to a character Smith had created for his 1997 film "Chasing Amy." And, of course, there was the unwavering demand for a scene where Superman battled a giant spider in a gladiatorial arena. It's worth noting that some of these ideas could be seen as progressive for the time, while others… well, let's just say they're unconventional.
Smith recounted that Peters' desire to cast Penn stemmed from the actor's performance in Tim Robbins' 1995 drama "Dead Man Walking." Peters reportedly said, "Look at his eyes in that movie. He's got the eyes of a violent animal, a caged killer." Smith's response? "Bro, it's Superman!" Smith, a long-time comic book fan, suggested Nicolas Cage, citing his love for Superman and extensive knowledge of the comics. When Tim Burton was brought on board and Cage was cast, Smith was surprised and pleased that his suggestion had been taken seriously. And this is the part most people miss... the casting choices highlight the vastly different interpretations of Superman that were being considered.
While Cage might seem like an unconventional choice, he arguably embodies a more energetic and heroic presence than Penn, who often portrays intense, dramatic characters. While the world wasn't ready for a Sean Penn Superman, it's intriguing to imagine what that performance would have looked like.
Ultimately, "Superman Lives" was scrapped, leaving Peters without his giant spider showdown. Or so it seemed. As Smith often points out, Peters later produced the 1999 film "Wild Wild West," which did feature a giant mechanical tarantula. Peters finally got his wish, albeit in a very different context.
Interestingly, Smith, who had previously poked fun at Peters' giant spider obsession, was impressed by the CGI-animated sequence in "The Flash." Despite the film's generally negative reception, Smith found the Cage-Superman-versus-spider scene surprisingly effective. As he told THR, "One of the first things I thought when I saw it at the premiere is, 'God damn it, [the giant spider] would have worked.' As much as I used to make fun of Jon Peters, that looked badass. [...] You know what? He wasn't wrong. Like, it totally could have panned out." It's a fascinating example of how a seemingly ridiculous idea can, with the right execution, become something genuinely cool.
Since the demise of "Superman Lives," the Superman franchise has been rebooted multiple times, with "Superman Returns" (2006), "Man of Steel" (2013), and the upcoming "Superman" (2025). Each film offers a unique interpretation of the iconic character. But, and this is noteworthy, none of them have dared to include a scene where Superman battles a giant spider. Perhaps one day, Peters' vision, in all its bizarre glory, will finally come to fruition. What do you think? Was Jon Peters onto something with the giant spider concept, or was it a fortunate escape for the Superman legacy? And more controversially, could Sean Penn have pulled off a compelling Superman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
