Back in 2002, director Brett Ratner signed up to helm the J.J. Abrams-penned Superman: Flyby for Warner Bros. However, he eventually walked away from the project and was later replaced by McG who screen tested Jason Behr, Jared Padalecki, Michael Cassidy and Henry Cavill (who was of course chosen by director Zack Snyder for 2013's Man of Steel) to play Superman. Several other actors were also said to be in talks and it was recently revealed that Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. was considered for the role of Lex Luthor. However, the project ultimately fell apart despite J.J. Abrams' requests to direct his script and the studio ultimately replaced McG with Bryan Singer in 2004. Talking to Digital Spy recently, the This Means War director looked back at his failed adaptation and his regret at not being able to helm the movie which would have also starred Henry Cavill as Clark Kent.
"I did indeed cast Henry Cavill [as Superman]. He's a fantastic actor, he's very, very strong and he's wonderful. I think Zack Snyder's going to do a great job with Henry Cavill. I can't wait to see that picture."
"I'm heartbroken that I never made my Superman, but it was my own [frick]-up because I was afraid of flying and couldn't get down to Australia. I got properly thrown off that picture, sacked for being a mental case! You live and learn, you keep on truckin'."
STARRING:
Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman
Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent
Diane Lane as Martha Kent
Michael Shannon as Zod
RELEASE DATE: June 14th, 2013.