Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
The Death of 'Superman Lives': What Happened? feature film documents the process of development of the ill fated "Superman Lives" movie, that was to be directed by Tim Burton and star Nicolas Cage as the man of steel himself, Superman. The project went through years of development before the plug was pulled, and this documentary interviews the major filmmakers: Kevin Smith, Tim Burton, Jon Peters, Dan Gilroy, Colleen Atwood, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and many many more.
A niche but genuinely fascinating documentary that digs into one of Hollywood's most legendary 'lost films.' The interviews with Kevin Smith, Tim Burton, and Jon Peters are candid and illuminating, offering real insight into the chaos of big-budget development hell. However, the filmmaking itself is workmanlike — talking-head interviews with modest production value and little cinematic ambition. The subject matter carries most of the weight, and the documentary ends somewhat abruptly without deeper analytical closure. Novelty is moderate: while 'lost film' documentaries exist, the specific Superman Lives saga is uniquely bizarre and culturally resonant enough to feel distinctive. Overall a solid passion project elevated almost entirely by its fascinating subject.