12 Crazy Comic Book Movie Rumours That Thankfully Never Happened
2. Nicolas Cage As Superman In Superman Lives
Another one that turned out to be more than just a rumour... When Tim Burton was set to direct the Superman movie "Superman Lives" in 1998 - in which Superman was set to appear with a long mane of hair - Nicolas Cage was very nearly cast in the role, to the extent that he actually tested for it in full costume (the footage of which has recently been made public). The movie was going to be written by Kevin Smith, Kevin Spacey had been approached to portray Lex Luthor (which, of course, he did end up doing in Superman Returns), Chris Rock was going to be Jimmy Olsen, Courtney Cox was one of the actresses touted to play Lois Lane and Tim Allen was in talks to play Brainiac - in other words, it would have been a complete mess. On a somewhat related note, Nicolas Cage was also in line to play the Scarecrow in Joel Schumachers cancelled Batman Triumphant movie - another dodged bullet.
