History Film / Superman

The first film established the standard superhero-film format: Origin of hero, Introduction of ArchEnemy and other important characters, then First Conflict. The film starts out on Krypton, with the scientist Jor-El (played by MarlonBrando - yes, [[TheGodfather THAT Marlon Brando]]) sentencing [[ChekhovsGunman the sequel's villains]] to eternity in the [[SealedEvilInACan Phantom Zone]]. After that, we get the whole spiel of Krypton's explosion, baby Kal-El's trip through space, getting his adoptive name of Clark Kent, and eventually the first appearance of Superman. From there, he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the ''Daily Planet'' as Clark, rescues Lois Lane (among others) as Superman, and finally has to stop a plot by the self-proclaimed "greatest criminal mind of our time", Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), to destroy the West Coast.

In 1983's ''SupermanIII'', we meet Superman's old friend Lana Lang (whose actor, Annette O'Toole, went on to play Ma Kent in ''{{Smallville}}''). There was a plot involving Richard Pryor as a bumbling-but-brilliant computer programmer who falls in with the forces of evil, and their plotting results in Superman turning evil ''and'' the creation of a supercomputer that could be used to conquer the world. Of course, this film was derided for being too comedic, though a serious battle between Superman and Clark Kent (as the hero struggles against his new, darker nature) has its fans. (Some also consider Richard Pyror's performance to be a highlight.)

* DumbBlonde: Subverted in the third movie with the character [[MeaningfulName Lorelei Ambrosia]]. While ''acts'' [[ObfuscatingStupidity dim]] she's really just playing off the stereotype so she can [[BlondesAreEvil trick]] the other villains. She's also not above using her [[TheVamp looks]] to get what she wants.

* EverythingIsOnline: One of the most [[TVTropesDrinkingGame egregious]] examples in the third movie.
* EvilTwin: One of the few parts of the third film actually considered good is Clark separating from the evil Superman to fight him.

** Inverted somewhat in ''Superman III'' where [[spoiler:Lana Lang is becoming romantically interested in Clark Kent, as opposed to Superman]].

* PacmanFever: More literal than usual: In the third movie, the Luthor {{expy}} fights Supes with a supercomputer... that is apparently an Atari 2600, complete with sound effects lifted directly from that console's execrable version of PacMan.

* ReverseCerebusSyndrome: ''Superman III'' is an {{egregious}} example of this trope. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkIAHjkODWk Fighting traffic sign stick figures]], anybody?

* {{Superdickery}}: The "Evil" Superman in the third film isn't really evil -- he's just [[{{Jerkass}} a dick]].

** Reportedly, Richard Pryor was encouraged to ad-lib a lot for ''Superman III'', but because he was a Superman fan he (unfortunately) stuck to the script.

* WeatherControlMachine: The Vulcan Weather Satellite in ''Superman III''.
* [[SpaceDoesNotWorkThatWay Weather Satellites Do Not Work That Way]]: They ''report'' on the weather, [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Ross Webster]], they don't control it!

''SupermanII'' came out in 1980 (1981 in the US). General Zod and his two allies are accidentally freed from the Phantom Zone and arrive on Earth, eager to conquer the planet - and Zod is all too happy to find out that Jor-El's son is alive. Superman and Lois' increasingly romantic relationship is also explored further. Deep into the film's production, the executives decided to can Richard Donner for using too much money for the budget. Richard Lester - who admitted to never having read a comic book (''Superman'' or otherwise) in his life - was then hired as the director. While the result was still satisfying, most of the cast and crew were angry about this decision. Thus, most of them left when ''SupermanIII'' was being made. (An alternate cut of this film - "The Richard Donner Cut" - was eventually released on DVD; it is, due to various circumstances, as close to Donner's vision of ''Superman II'' that we will ever see.)

Because of the poor reception the later two films received, a fifth film was put in DevelopmentHell. People like TimBurton and KevinSmith tried to reboot the franchise, but had no success. It was mostly because of Jon Peters, some guy who wanted Superman to lose the cape and the ability to fly - [[AuthorAppeal and fight a giant robot spider.]]

In 2006, we finally got ''Superman Returns''. BryanSinger (of ''Film/XMen'' fame) directed the film, which [[CanonDiscontinuity ignored the previous two films]] and focused on Superman returning to Metropolis several years after leaving Earth to look for remnants of Krypton, the world's reaction to his return, and Luthor's newest dastardly plot. It decided to take a much more "DoingItForTheArt"-type approach, [[TooGoodToLast which naturally means it was ignored]]. The fanbase was instantly divided over the film and remains so to this day. Some saw it as a sincere ode to the earlier films, while others were dismayed that the film didn't use any material from the comics and completely changed the dynamic of Lois and Superman's relationship.

Talks of a sequel to ''Superman Returns'' fizzled; the current word is that plans for a [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] are underway, with ChristopherNolan as a producer. As of October 2010, ZackSnyder is attached to direct, with HenryCavill cast in the lead role as the Man of Steel.

* BaldOfEvil: Played for laughs by Gene Hackman, who wears a series of unconvincing wigs until whipping off the last one to reveal his baldness during his final rant after Superman dumps him in prison at the end of the first film. Luthor's obsession with wigs was also carried over into ''SupermanReturns''.

* BroadStrokes: One of the key examples with ''Superman Returns'' in regards to prior Superman films.
* BrokenAesop: Too many in ''Superman Returns''.

* CanonDiscontinuity: ''Returns'' clearly ignores ''III'' and ''IV''.

* ContinuityNod: ''Returns'' was full of this.

* CrucifiedHeroShot: in ''Returns'', the exhausted Supes falling to Earth after [[spoiler:hurling an entire island made of Kryptonite out of the atmosphere.]] Just in case you hadn't realised yet that [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory he's Jesus]].

* CurseCutShort: Rather pointlessly and awkwardly done with the word "shit" by a random cop in ''Superman Returns'', and in a [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment throwaway scene]] to boot.

* DecoyLeader

* DinerBrawl: After said DePower, Clark Kent gets menaced by a trucker in a diner. Once he gets his powers back, he comes back to the same diner for a little payback.
* DoctorGirlfriend: Miss Teschmacher and Kitty.

* {{Egopolis}}: Lex does this a lot in the first movie.
* EnemyRisingBehind: In the 1978 movie when Superman is standing on the deck of a ship.
* EnforcedMethodActing: In-universe example -- Kitty's out-of-control car catches Superman's attention for a damn good reason:
-->'''Kitty:''' I was going to ''pretend'' the brakes were out. '''Pretend!''' Like we talked about! You didn't actually have to ''cut them''!
-->'''Lex Luthor:''' Well, of course I did. [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar A man can always tell when]] [[IfYouKnowWhatIMean a woman is pretending]]... [[LivingLieDetector especially]] [[TheAce Superman]].

* EyeScream: He takes a bullet to the eye in Superman Returns. Doesn't faze him.

* GlorifiedSpermDonor:Superman himself in Superman Returns

* HighHeelFaceTurn: Miss Teschmacher in the original ''Superman'', Kitty Kowalski in ''Returns''.
** A case could be made that the reason the 2nd missile was headed for Hackensack was because Luthor had originally intended for ''only'' one missile to go off course, but Otis screwed up entering the coordinates into the first missile and so Luthor had to reprogram a second one. If Miss Teschmacher hadn't rescued Superman and the missile had killed her mother, it would have been Otis's fault!

* HoYay: Jimmy Olsen in ''Superman Returns'' seems to be just a wee bit too fond of Clark Kent.

* LargeHam: Lex Luthor. Right?
** '''[[BigWrong WROOOOOOOOOOONG!!!]]'''
** ZOD IS THE LARGER HAM! ADMIT IT... [[KneelBeforeZod AND KNEEL]]!!

* MamaBear: In ''Returns'', played straight when Lois [[spoiler:begs Luthor to at least allow Jason to leave the yacht]]. Just after that, an [[InvertedTrope inversion]]: [[spoiler:when Lois' captor notices her [[MessageInABottle transmission of an SOS fax]] (with the yacht's location) to the ''Daily Planet'' office, [[WouldHitAGirl he predictably gets rough with her]]. That's when Jason ([[BerserkButton scared and shocked by such abuse]]) [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength reflexively]] [[PintsizedPowerhouse shoves the piano he'd been playing]] onto the unsuspecting guard.]]
* MobileShrubbery: Otis does this briefly in the first movie while reaiming the missile.

* MonumentalDamage: Hoover Dam (and in a deleted scene, the Hollywood sign) in the first film. In the sequel, Mt. Rushmore and the White House. In the fourth film, The Great Wall of China and the Statue of Liberty.

* ANuclearError: In the 1st film, missiles are test launched with armed nuclear warheads.
* OhCrap: The bank robber in ''Returns'', after unsuccessfully emptying a minigun into Supes' chest, figures maybe it's just the suit that's bulletproof, pulls out a semi-auto, and [[EyeScream shoots him point-blank right in the eye.]] ''He doesn't even blink.'' Said robber's expression makes it clear that he fully realizes just how utterly screwed he is.

* OnlyAModel: The model train set and city in ''Returns''.

* PaidHarem: Luthor's perpetual moll in the first movie, Eve Teschmacher, and later Kitty Kowalski. Despite their dim wits, both have a good heart.

* PrettyInMink: Kitty wears some, and even Miss Teschmacher wears one in a deleted scene in the Ricard Donner cut of the second film. It's not FurAndLoathing, since it's established they are not actually evil.

* RuleOfSymbolism: Lots of [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory Christ symbolism]], especially in ''Superman Returns''.

* StealthPun: A crew of bank robbers is about to make a helicopter escape, and at first their rooftop-mounted [[GatlingGood minigun]] is doing a [[MoreDakka fine job]] of keeping the cops on the street pinned down. Two security guards bust onto the roof (from a stairwell) but [[BoomHeadshot his vest stops]] [[AvertedTrope all of their panicked shots]]. Once [[NowItsMyTurn he trains his weapon onto them]], [[OhCrap they know they are obviously screwed...]] [[spoiler: until [[BulletTime we see]] [[ImmuneToBullets Superman]] zoom in from ''behind the gunman'' into the line of fire. "[[CatchPhrase Faster than a speeding bullet]]", indeed.]]
* StockSubtitle: Superman Returns.

* TookAShortcut: It is made clear by Jor-El's narration that Superman's journey to Earth took thousands of years but he only aged a few years due to the effects of relativity. The comment from Jor-El even shows up in Superman Returns when Lex and his goons are in the fortress of solitude. Somehow, though, in Superman Returns, Superman has traveled all the way to the ruined Krypton and back and only five years have passed by on Earth.

* AintTooProudToBeg: The president in the second film.
-->"I will kneel before you, if it will save lives."

* AmbiguouslyJewish: PlayedForLaughs in ''Superman II''. When Superman saves a boy who was about to plummet into the NiagaraFalls, a stereotypical [[AlterKocker old Brooklyn lady]] exclaims: "What a nice man! Of course he's Jewish!"
* BaldOfEvil: Played for laughs by Gene Hackman, who wears a series of unconvincing wigs until whipping off the last one to reveal his baldness during his final rant after Superman dumps him in prison at the end of the first film. Luthor's obsession with wigs was also carried over into ''Superman Returns''.
* BatDeduction: In ''Superman'', LexLuthor not only correctly deduces that pieces of Krypton came to Earth, but that they would be harmful to Superman, with no explanation given.
* BatmanGambit[=/=]NiceJobFixingItVillain: How Superman beat the villains in ''II''.

* DePower: In the second movie.

* DumbMuscle: Non.

* EvilBrit: General Zod and Ursa.

* FingerWag: In ''II'', Superman issues one of these after Lex tried to double-double cross him.

* IHaveYourWife: Ursa and Lois Lane in ''Superman II''.

* KneelBeforeZod: The TropeNamer.

* MagicCountdown: In ''Superman II'' the H-bomb whose timer is supposedly set for 1 minute takes at least 1 minute 24 seconds to detonate.

* MoodWhiplash: In ''Superman II'', after Superman has been crushed under the bus that Non and Ursa threw, the people of Metropolis assume him dead and band together to attack the Kryptonian crimanals... who simply stand still and begin blowing them away with their gale-force wind equivalent breath. In what is supposed to be a scene showing the utter futility of regular mortals attempting to oppose such beings, with even cars being thrown around, we have such moments shown like; a couple being blown away after coming out of a take-away, completely oblivious to everything happening, and the waitress who served them following suit (they'd forgotten their change), a guy in a telephone booth having a seemingly hilarious conversation, continuing to laugh even as the phone booth is dragged down the street, and the wigs of a man and woman being blown off. All of a sudden, it can almost be seen where the ridiculous opening from ''Superman III'' came from. In the Richard Donner cut of the film however, these scenes are left out, leaving just the destruction, averting this.

* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: The initial cut of ''Superman II'' has some of the most [[TVTropesDrinkingGame egregious]] and parodied examples out there, but even giant cellophane S's and hypnotic kissing powers pale in comparison to ''Superman IV'''s use of what has been referred to as "Repair-o-vision", "Wall-Construction Vision", or "Masonry Vision"!
** Although this is pretty much how Superman went from the original puny thing into the demigod of TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks.

* SmithWillSuffice: In ''Superman II'' between the President of the U.S. and General Zod.
* ShinyNewAustralia: In ''Superman 2'', Lex Luthor trades his knowledge of Superman (affinity for Lois and the location of the Fortress of Solitude) for rulership of Australia (and later Cuba as well).

* VictoryIsBoring: Zod and the other Kryptonians experienced this in ''Superman II''.
-->''I WIN!! I always win...''

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Fans got a taste of this when the [[DirectorsCut Richard Donner cut]] of ''Superman II'' was released (though it obviously wasn't as polished as it would have been had he been able to properly complete it). The "reversing time" trick was originally intended as a finisher for II, but Donner decided to use it as a memorable climax to the first movie. The directors cut restored it as originally planned, though Donner said he would have worked out a new ending if he was kept on.
** And ''Superman III'' was originally supposed to feature Brainiac.
* [=~What Happened to the Mouse?~=]: Miss Teschmacher just disappears after the visit to the Fortress of Solitude in ''Superman II''. And, if you are watching the original cut, where is Jor-El?
** In a deleted scene, Lex Luthor is about to feed Miss Teschmacher to his pit of wild cats, at which point Superman whooshes in to save her. One can only assume that the scene was deleted because it involved an otherwise-realistic Lex Luthor owning ''[[SupervillainLair a pit of wild cats.]]''

* VillainDecay: Really, compare the Lex Luthor of the comic books to the sniveling, real estate-obsessed loser from the films. It's no contest.

* WhatAnIdiot: After Superman first makes his presence known in Metropolis by stopping many crimes in a single night, Lois deliberately asks about ''and prints for all to read'' one of his non-KryptoniteFactor weaknesses --his inability to see through lead.

* WTHCastingAgency: Aside from any considerations of talent Kate Bosworth was an odd choice to play Lois Lane in ''Superman Returns'' on age alone - Bosworth was 23 (and looked it), playing a character roughly a decade older.

* HighOctaneNightmareFuel: During the FinalBattle of ''Superman III'', the rogue supercomputer [[CombatTentacles shoots out cables and wires]], drags [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Ross Webster's]] sister into its circuitry and spits her out as a horrific HollywoodCyborg to join the attack on Superman. [[OurHeroIsDead Then it tries to do the same to Big Blue himself]]. Thank Rao for HollywoodAcid.

* {{Narm}}: Pretty much anything Nuclear Man does in ''IV''. Certain Lex moments in ''Returns''.

* VisualEffectsOfAwesome: Many. One of the most striking visuals even today is the scene in the first film where Superman rebuilds the ''San Andreas Fault''. ''Superman Returns'' has the whole sequence with the 777 jetliner rescue.

* AwesomeAnachronisticApparel: [[ClarkKenting Clark Kent's]] suit and hat are very [[TheFifties fifties]], yet he manages to look dashing in them.

* GenreTurningPoint: While not the first superhero film, the original ''Superman'' opened a whole new era for this genre (which either carries on to this day or ended with a similarly influential ''TheDarkKnightSaga'').

* MemeticMutation: The aforementioned "[[KneelBeforeZod KNEEL BEFORE ZOD!!!]]" and "[[BigWrong WROOOOOOOOOONG!!!]]"
** No mention of Otisburg? '''OTISBURG?!?!?'''

* MostlyNarmless: So much of films 1 and 2's lines read as corny and cliched, but Christopher Reeve and Terence Stamp make them so natural and right for their characters.

* ReplacementScrappy: In ''Superman Returns'': Kitty's just no Teschmacher for many viewers. Earlier, in ''Superman III'' the character of Ross Webster was lambasted for being a cheap Lex Luthor [[CaptainErsatz knockoff]].

* RunningTheAsylum: ''Superman Returns''.
* SeinfeldIsUnfunny: Although the first movie basically [[GenreLaunch invented the modern superhero film]], looks impressive even after 30 years, it is often dismissed as a museum piece with little appeal to modern audiences (YourMileageMayVary on that one; the visual effects may get outdated, but Christopher Reeve's acting and JohnWilliams' music score are timeless).
* {{Sequelitis}}: Arguable for ''Superman Returns'' and definitely for ''III'' and ''IV''.
** Especially the continued use of Lex Luthor. Hackman's and Spacey's performances notwithstanding, the Lex of the movies is somewhat petty compared to his comic book incarnation and, especially in Superman Returns, a lot of fun has been poked at Superman having nobody to punch.

* TearJerker: Plenty in the original film, especially the 2001 Extended Cut, and ''Superman Returns'', although you'd be [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments smiling through most of them too]].
** Still...
--->''All those things I can do. All those powers. And I couldn't even save him.''

''Superman II'' came out in 1980 (1981 in the US). General Zod and his two allies are accidentally freed from the Phantom Zone and arrive on Earth, eager to conquer the planet - and Zod is all too happy to find out that Jor-El's son is alive. Superman and Lois' increasingly romantic relationship is also explored further. Deep into the film's production, the executives decided to can Richard Donner for using too much money for the budget. Richard Lester - who admitted to never having read a comic book (''Superman'' or otherwise) in his life - was then hired as the director. While the result was still satisfying, most of the cast and crew were angry about this decision. Thus, most of them left when ''Superman III'' was being made. (An alternate cut of this film - "The Richard Donner Cut" - was eventually released on DVD; it is, due to various circumstances, as close to Donner's vision of ''Superman II'' that we will ever see.)

In 1983's ''Superman III'', we meet Superman's old friend Lana Lang (whose actor, Annette O'Toole, went on to play Ma Kent in ''{{Smallville}}''). There was a plot involving Richard Pryor as a bumbling-but-brilliant computer programmer who falls in with the forces of evil, and their plotting results in Superman turning evil ''and'' the creation of a supercomputer that could be used to conquer the world. Of course, this film was derided for being too comedic, though a serious battle between Superman and Clark Kent (as the hero struggles against his new, darker nature) has its fans. (Some also consider Richard Pyror's performance to be a highlight.)

It took ''Superman IV'' four years to come out after that, with an unsuccessful spinoff (1984's ''{{Supergirl}}'') released in the meantime. When it finally did come out, audiences weren't too happy about it. The plot was an {{anvilicious}} message against nuclear weapons - the main villain was called ''Nuclear Man''. While Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder returned to reprise their roles, a slashed budget meant lousy production values compared to the previous three films.

Talks of a sequel to ''Superman Returns'' fizzled; the current word is that plans for a [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] are underway, with ChristopherNolan as a producer. As of October 2010, ZackSnyder is attached to direct.

* CompleteMonster: Lex pretty much turns into one in ''Returns''.
-->Kitty: Will this really kill billions of people?
-->Lex: *nonchalantly, while lighting a cigar* Yes.
** He was already one by the first movie, albeit a much more hammy one.
-->Superman: Is this how you get your kicks, Luthor? By planning the deaths of innocent people?
-->Lex Luthor: *nonchalantly* No... by ''causing'' the deaths of innocent people.

* {{Anvilicious}}: ''Superman IV'', no doubt.

* ANuclearError: 1st Christopher Reeve film - missiles are test launched with armed nuclear warheads.

* SugarWiki/CrowningMusicOfAwesome: That opening fanfare.
** You can almost hear the words -- "Look, up in the sky, there he is! Look, up in the sky, Superman!"

* SugarWiki/CrowningMusicOfAwesome: That opening fanfare.
** You can almost hear the words -- "Look, up in the sky, there he is! Look, up in the sky, Superman!"

The first film established the standard superhero-film format: Origin of hero, Introduction of ArchEnemy and other important characters, then First Conflict. After an opening sequence that plays out to arguably the [[SugarWiki/CrowningMusicOfAwesome most iconic superhero theme]] ''ever'', the film starts out on Krypton, with the scientist Jor-El (played by MarlonBrando - yes, [[TheGodfather THAT Marlon Brando]]) sentencing [[ChekhovsGunman the sequel's villains]] to eternity in the [[SealedEvilInACan Phantom Zone]]. After that, we get the whole spiel of Krypton's explosion, baby Kal-El's trip through space, getting his adoptive name of Clark Kent, and eventually the first appearance of Superman. From there, he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the ''Daily Planet'' as Clark, rescues Lois Lane (among others) as Superman, and finally has to stop a plot by the self-proclaimed "greatest criminal mind of our time", Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), to destroy the West Coast.

Just as the success of {{Superman}} opened the door for other [[{{Superhero}} masked marvels in colorful costumes]], ''Superman: The Movie'' opened it for other superhero films.

* GlorifiedSpermDonar:Superman himself in Superman Returns

The film established the standard superhero-film format: Origin of hero, Introduction of ArchEnemy and other important characters, then First Conflict.

After [[strike:one of]] the [[SugarWiki/CrowningMusicOfAwesome most iconic superhero themes]] ''ever'', it starts out on Krypton, with the scientist Jor-El played by MarlonBrando (yes, [[TheGodfather THAT Marlon Brando]]) sentencing [[ChekhovsGunman the sequel's villains]] to eternity in the [[SealedEvilInACan Phantom Zone]]. After that, we get the whole spiel of Krypton's explosion, baby Kal-El's trip through space, his adoptive name as Clark Kent and eventually, the first appearance of Superman. From there, he becomes a mild-mannered reporter for the ''Daily Planet'' as Clark, rescues Lois Lane (among others) as Superman, and finally has to stop a plot by the self-proclaimed "greatest criminal mind of our time", Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), to destroy the West Coast.

Then, ''Superman II'' came out in 1980 (1981 in the US). It continued Superman's adventures with his encounter with General Zod when he and his two allies are accidentally freed from the Phantom Zone. As well, the hero and Lois' increasingly romantic relationship is explored further. During this film's production, the executives decided to can Richard Donner for using too much money for the budget. Richard Lester -- who admitted to never having read a comic book (''Superman'' or otherwise) in his life -- was then hired as the director. While the result was still satisfying, most of the cast and crew were angry about this decision. Thus, most of them left when ''Superman III'' was being made.

In 1983's ''Superman III'', we met Superman's old friend Lana Lang (whose actor, Annette O'Toole, went on to play Ma Kent in ''{{Smallville}}''). There was a plot involving Richard Pryor as a bumbling-but-brilliant computer programmer who falls in with the forces of evil, and their plotting results in Superman turning evil ''and'' a supercomputer that could be used to conquer the world. Of course, this film was derided for being too comedic, though a serious battle between Superman and Clark Kent (as the hero struggles against his new, darker nature) has its fans.

It took ''Superman IV'' four years to come out after that, with an unsuccessful spinoff (1984's ''{{Supergirl}}'') in between. And when it finally did, audiences weren't too happy about it. The plot was just an {{anvilicious}} message against nuclear weapons. Hell, the main villain was called Nuclear Man. And while Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder returned to reprise their roles, a slashed budget meant lousy production values compared to the previous three films.

Because of the poor reception the later two films received, ''Superman V'' was put in DevelopmentHell. People like TimBurton and KevinSmith tried to reboot the franchise, but had no success. It was mostly because of Jon Peters, some guy who wanted Superman to lose the cape and the ability to fly. [[AuthorAppeal He also wanted him to fight a giant robot spider.]]

Finally we got ''Superman Returns'' in 2006. Getting BryanSinger (of ''Film/XMen'' fame) to direct, it ignored [[CanonDiscontinuity III and IV]] and focused on Superman returning to Metropolis after several years, the world's reaction and Luthor's newest dastardly plot. It decided to take a much more "DoingItForTheArt"-type approach, [[TooGoodToLast which naturally means it was ignored]]. The fanbase was instantly divided and remains so to this day. Some saw it as a sincere ode to the earlier films, while others were dismayed that the film didn't use any material from the comics and completely changed the dynamic of Lois and Superman's relationship.

Talks of a sequel to ''Superman Returns'' fizzled and the word is that plans for a [[ContinuityReboot reboot]] are underway, with ChristopherNolan as a producer. As of 5 October 2010, ZackSnyder is attached to direct.