Nicolas Cage Reflects on Superman Cameo in The Flash The Man of Steel Takes Flight in the Multiverse
Nicolas Cage, a lifelong comic book fan who once was set to play Superman in an unproduced Tim Burton film, has finally spoken out about his cameo appearance as the Kryptonian hero in The Flash.
In the interview with USA Today, Nicolas Cage expressed his satisfaction in finally seeing his Superman come to life on the big screen. He acknowledged the quickness of the cameo but expressed his delight in seeing himself in the iconic costume.
Nicolas Cage talks about playing Superman in 'THE FLASH'
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Cage’s appearance was one of several surprise cameos in The Flash’s climax, which saw Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen travel through the multiverse and encounter Christopher Reeve’s Superman, Helen Slater’s Supergirl, Adam West’s Batman, and George Reeves’ Superman.
The Flash director, Andy Muschietti, explained to Entertainment Weekly that the multiverse concept allowed them to incorporate these alternate versions of Superman, including Cage’s unrealized project.
Producer Barbara Muschietti revealed that several other actors were considered for the cameo sequence, including Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, Marlon Brando as Jor-El (from 1978’s Superman), and Cesar Romero as the Joker (from the Adam West-led Batman series).
The scrapped Superman Lives film would have seen Superman face off against Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and Doomsday.
Cage suggested to USA Today that his portrayal of Superman would have been influenced by his performance in City of Angels, where he played an angel. He described his version of Kal-El as possessing an “alien otherness” and a blend of vulnerability, goodness, and sensitivity.
In a previous interview with Variety, Cage described his Superman as an “emo Superman.” He also revealed that he was the one who approached Tim Burton to direct the film.
Cage attributed the cancellation of Superman Lives to the studio’s concerns following the financial failure of Mars Attacks, another Burton film. He stated that studios often shy away from innovative projects that challenge the norm.
Burton himself criticized the studio’s interference with his vision for Superman Lives, lamenting the corporate pressure to design characters for Happy Meals rather than focusing on the film’s narrative.
Superman didn’t return to cinemas until Brandon Routh’s portrayal in 2006’s Superman Returns.
Nicolas Cage’s cameo in The Flash serves as a nostalgic reminder of what could have been, offering a glimpse into the unproduced Superman Lives project and providing fans with a chance to see the actor in the iconic role he was once destined to play.