Kevin Smith revealed the pitch Warner Bros. sent to him regarding a Superman movie back in 1996. Smith has long been associated with the iconic superhero, going back to the beginning of his career. Not only has he mentioned his love of the DC superhero in his movies multiple times, but he was also attached to write a script for Superman Lives, which eventually turned into Tim Burton and Nic Cage's canceled 1990s Superman movie.
An anecdote about his experience working with Jon Peters on developing that script went viral after telling it in the early 2000s. He was also an integral part of the 2015 documentary The Death of Superman Lives, detailing how the project fell apart. Smith has since gone on to work on several CW shows featuring DC characters, including Supergirl, but he hasn't been involved with the DC Extended Universe as a writer or director. Instead, he spends his days hosting his podcast and directing his independently-funded movies.
Smith revealed the full contents of a letter he got from WB in 1996 asking him to write their Superman movie on the latest episode of his podcast, Fatman Beyond. Smith says he found the letter while going through some old cabinets and details the movie's pitch, which involves Superman losing everything, including Lois Lane and his superpowers, and working to rebuild his life while also fighting off Brainiac. Smith shows off the letter, which has a date of May 15, 1996. You can read his full comments from the podcast, including the entire contents of the letter, below:
I've been cleaning my office and I found some s--t and I just wanted to share this with you all. This is from Warner Bros. and it's from, I don't know if you can see the date there, the date is May 15th of 1996. What I hold in my hand is a 24-year-old Warner Bros. letter. May I read it to you? “It's time for the rebirth of a hero. As you know, we are making a new Superman film, taking the world's most famous superhero into the 21st century. The enclosed collection of comic books forms the basis of the take outline. We would love to discuss this with Kevin Smith at his earliest convenience.” This was the storyline that I was handed. Ready? “Alienated from the world he protects, convinced his relationship with Lois Lane is doomed, Superman is suddenly defeated and left for dead by the villain Brainiac, an intergalactic genius intent upon collecting the best DNA in the universe. Superman is secretly nursed back to health by his mentor Cadmus only to discover he has lost his superpowers. As Lois mourns the loss of her love and Brainiac frantically searches for Superman's body, the Man of Steel returns, disguised, using a high-tech bodysuit to fight while he attempts to regain his superpowers. While battling Brainiac's henchmen Parasite and Banshee, Superman rediscovers his powers and his love for Lois Lane. In a final showdown, Superman destroys Brainiac and saves the world that he has come to call home.”
Smith's stories about the tortured pre-production process on Superman Lives are legend, including his most famous tale, which involves Superman fighting a giant spider. However, this is the first time the public has heard Warner Bros. plans for the movie in full detail. The unmade film is the subject of endless debate, with many saying its weird approach, plus Burton and Cage's presence may have made it the most interesting Superman movie to date.
Smith has famously said he'd love to see his script made into an animated movie. However, that's unlikely to happen, but it would be interesting to compare the finished product with the outline detailed in the letter from WB. Honestly, the best way to experience this version of Superman is via the late Jon Schnepp's The Death of Superman Lives documentary. Schnepp's masterpiece details the whole ordeal and even includes a look at some Brainiac concept art. Interestingly, despite Brainiac being pitched in the 90s, the villain has never appeared in a Superman movie.
Source: Beyond Fatman Podcast