Superman vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon (Cappella Books (Paperback))

Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend—and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali. Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this exposé spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic The Adventures of Superman to the current hit Smallville; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens; and the movies—from 1979's smash hit Superman: The Movie to 2006’s wildly expensive Superman Returns. Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films’ special effects. Superman Has Fought For Nearly Seven Decades To Conquer Radio, Television, And Film - But His Battles Behind The Scenes Have Proved A Far Greater Threat Than Any Fictional Foe. For The First Time, One Book Unearths All The Details Of His Turbulent Adventures In Tinseltown. Based On Extensive Interviews With Producers, Screenwriters, Cast Members, And Crew, Superman Vs. Hollywood Spills The Beans On Marlon Brando's Eccentricities; The Challenges Of Making Superman Appear To Fly; The Casting Process That At Various Points Had Superman Being Played By Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Ashton Kutcher, And Even Muhammad Ali; And The Superman Movies, Fashioned By Such Maverick Filmmakers As Kevin Smith And Tim Burton, That Never Made It To The Screen.--book Jacket. Test Patterns -- The Monkey Suit -- Purgatory -- Flights Of Fancy -- Cape Fears -- Metropolis Now -- Reel Steel -- Dicked -- Pryor Motives -- Girl Power -- Nuclear Disaster -- Escape The Cape -- Krypton By Moonlight -- Down, Down And Astray -- Grounded -- The Phantom Zone -- Superboy Redux -- Fear Of Flying -- Takeoff. Jake Rossen. An A Cappella Book. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 302-315) And Index. Uses interviews with screenwriters, producers, cast members, and crew to tell the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by those playing, directing, and producing films starring the Man of Steel.