Supermax was one of those that so nearly happened, and nobody's really sure why it never really came off. Early reports of David Goyer's script were very good, and the strong critical reception had Warner Bros quickly placing the project in turnaround. This was around about the time that Marvel were building up their Cinematic Universe and fanboys around the world were awaiting DC's move, with Supermax looking like it would've taken a very different tack to their distinguished competition (as opposed to now, where it seems like they're doing their darndest to replicate the success of The Avengers). The script for Supermax - later renamed, far more literally, Green Arrow: Escape From Supermax - was to feature the eponymous archer vigilante being committed to a high security prison for, obviously, a crime he didn't commit. Not just your run-of-the-mill high security prison either, oh no. A prison for supervillains. Apparently Goyer planned on including the likes of the Riddler, Lex Luthor and The Joker for Oliver Queen to contend with, during what sounded like the best action film ever to star a Robin Hood-styled superhero. The film was announced back in 2008, before Warner Bros had started up their own DC Cinematic Universe with Man Of Steel. Also before they'd taken over the airwaves with Arrow, The CW's televisual adaptation of Green Arrow, who doesn't look like he's going to be involved in a superpowered prison break any time soon. More's the pity.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
