Kevin Smith Reacts to the “Mind-Melting” Superman Cameo in ‘The Flash’

Kevin Smith Reacts to the Epic Superman Cameo in ‘The Flash’

While The Flash may not be setting the box office on fire, Warner Bros. Discovery has found a staunch supporter in Kevin Smith. In a climactic scene titled “Worlds Colliding,” director Andy Muschietti pays homage to Smith’s unreleased work by featuring Nicolas Cage as Superman battling a giant spider, a nod to the abandoned project called Superman Lives.

Back in the mid-1990s, Warner Bros. sought to create a unique interpretation of Superman, much like Tim Burton’s distinct vision for Batman. They even considered Burton for the director’s role and enlisted Kevin Smith, a revered nerd icon, to pen the screenplay. Though Superman Lives never made it to the big screen, its influence on subsequent Superman ventures has become the stuff of legend.

Smith was tasked by producer Jon Peters to write the screenplay after presenting a story outline. However, he was given a list of peculiar conditions and restrictions, including the prohibition of Superman’s ability to fly and the inclusion of a massive spider in the film’s climactic act. With the budget eventually skyrocketing to nearly $200 million, the project was eventually shelved. Recently, Smith expressed his awe at seeing the story he crafted, even the coerced inclusion of the gigantic arachnid, calling it “mind-melting” in an interview with Rolling Stone.

“I attended the premiere the other day, and I watched it again last night at my own movie theater, SModcastle Cinemas [in Atlantic Highlands, N.J.]. I’ll be watching it again on Friday and Saturday with audiences. It’s mind-melting. One of my initial thoughts during the premiere was, ‘Damn, it could have worked.’ As much as I used to poke fun at Jon Peters, that looked badass. He wasn’t wrong. It could have turned out great.”

Image via Warner Bros

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A Sense of Bittersweet Closure

Smith delved deeper into his Superman journey, recounting the clashes he had with Peters over their preferred actor to portray the Man of Steel. Peters favored Sean Penn, citing his intense performance in Dead Man Walking, which he believed suited a violent and animalistic Superman. Smith, however, argued that Nicolas Cage’s genuine love for comic book lore and enthusiasm made him the ideal choice. When Tim Burton joined the project as director, Smith’s suggestion materialized, and Cage was cast as Superman.

“Jon Peters insisted, ‘I want Sean Penn to play Superman.’ He had just seen Dead Man Walking and said, ‘Look at his eyes in that movie. He has the eyes of a violent animal, a caged killer.’ I responded, ‘Bro, it’s Superman!’ So he asked me, ‘Who do you see?’ I always loved Nic Cage, so I said, ‘Nic Cage adores Superman. He’s well-versed in the comics. You guys should pursue him.'”

Smith continued, “When Tim Burton came on board and they actually went with Nic Cage, I was amazed. My idea was taken seriously. So seeing that moment in The Flash brought about a strange sense of closure. Both Peters and I, two vastly different individuals, found immense satisfaction in witnessing his long-desired giant spider fight Superman. And I finally got to see Nic Cage as Superman. It has been an absolute delight for me.”

The Flash, featuring Nicolas Cage as Superman, is currently showing in theaters. Be sure to check out our interview with director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti below.

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More about Superman cameo

• Rolling Stone Interview with Kevin Smith
• The Flash Official Website
• Nicolas Cage IMDb
• Tim Burton IMDb
• Warner Bros. Official Website