Summary

Wes Craven is widely idolize as a horror auteur , but theNightmare on Elm Streetdirector could have once helmed aDCproject likeSupermanin the 1980s . Even if he actually took on the task , this would n’t have been Craven ’s first risible book motion picture . Before being consider for alive - action Superman movie , Craven had already directed the 1982 cult classicSwamp Thing . Based on the DC comic serial of the same name , Craven ’s superhero pic initially polarize critic but became a major success on home telecasting and cable , and even spawned the 1989 sequelThe Return of Swamp Thing .

But while Swamp affair is a more corner fictitious character , Superman is one of DC ’s flagship heroes . With Richard Donner directing the first twoSuperman movies asterisk Christopher Reeve , the lineament ’s cinematic portrayal garnered high expectations . unluckily , Reeve ’s by and by two films , Superman IIIandSuperman IV : The Quest for Peace , failed to replicate this winner . With low budget burden , tonic inconsistency , and a laughably bad scoundrel like Nuclear Man , the 4th moving-picture show was in particular notorious . In this horse sense , Craven ’s blue sensitivities and social comment could have revitalized the character and directed a really unique gain tothe pantheon of Superman picture show .

Superman has had 8 live - natural process appearances throughout the DCEU , but some movies have performed importantly well than others at the box office .

A split image of Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill as Superman

Wes Craven Almost Made Superman IV: The Quest For Peace

The Horror Director Left Due To Creative Differences With Christopher Reeve

Superman IV : The Quest For Peacewas nominated for two Razzies : bad support Actress ( Mariel Hemingway ) and Worst Visual Effects .

Why Wes Craven Left Superman IV

Not much is roll in the hay about the production details behind Wes Craven ’s vision forSuperman IV . The film director reportedlyquit the movie due to originative differences with Superman actor Christopher Reeve . As cover in theLos Angeles Times , Reeve was lure to return for a fourth time in footing of a higher salary and more originative control . apportion storey credit , it was Reeve ’s idea to let in nuclear disarming as a major plot point . It ’s a possibleness that Reeve ’s idea might have driven Craven off . Finally released in 1987,Superman IV : The Quest for Peaceis nowconsidered the worst Superman movie .

Becoming Superman requires some heavy lifting and two devotee - favourite Superman actors played the Man of Tomorrow with some previous - schooling methods .

Could Wes Craven Have Saved Superman IV?

Craven’s Superman Movie Would Have Been Darker Or Satirical In Tone

Wes Craven was a director par excellence , butCannon Film ’s circumscribed budget would have prevented him from helm the thoroughgoing Superman movie . After all , Superman IV : The Quest for Peace ’s final director , Sidney J Furie , was also a critically hail auteur , having exalt future master like Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick . Even if Craven got his desire creative restraint , his filmography suggests that he might have made the 4th Superman pic darker or satirical in tone . FromA Nightmare on Elm StreettoScream , Craven ’s horror often subverted mainstream figure with either creatively sick violence or meta ego - cognisant humor .

But as Richard Donner ’s pillowcase shows , Craven could have change his trademark tone if he got the veracious budget and studio support for a Superman movie . Much before 1978’sSupermanand hisacclaimed director ’s cut ofSuperman II , Donner was bonk for directing the spine - chill 1976 supernatural horrorThe Omen . Donner live on down a polar opposite road withSuperman , sate his narrative with “ accuracy , justice and the American way . ” So , Craven would have either directedSuperman IVlike a genre undertaking in the same vein as his only DC movie , Swamp Thing , or he would have tried something altogether different for theSupermanmovie .

Superman IV : The Quest For Peaceis useable to pour on Max .

Christopher Reeve looking serious as Superman and Henry Cavill looking sideways while being shirtless in Man of Steel

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