SUPERMAN V - Cancelled Sequel 

I can validate the accuracy of much of the description of the Cary Bates Superman script, to the best of my memory.It's been many years and I forgot a lot of the details of Cary's Superman script, but I can confirm that most of what this commentary says about it is definitely correct. Well done. My production office at Universal Studios Florida was down the hall from Ilya Salkind and Cary from 1989 to 1993, and I was friends with Cary during those years. This was while they were shooting Superboy at the studio (with their second actor, Gerard Christopher, whom my production company would later cast in our movie The First of May in 1997). I had also worked a little on Superboy myself, now and then. Cary and I used to chat a lot about various stories and music (he was a huge John Barry fan) and go to movies together. When he moved to San Francisco (before he landed as a writer on Gargoyles) he gave me a lot of his LP soundtrack collection, biographies, and DC comics (which DC sent him for free for years since he used to write for them). I don't have the comics anymore but I still have the rest of the inventory. At any rate, this was a complex action-oriented script that would have required a LOT of effects, and there were just too many fallouts happening for the Salkinds at the time. Cary had contributed rewrites (under Ilya's direction) to Christopher Columbus: The Movie, and when that failed at the box office it didn't bode well to move forward with other expensive productions. Superboy wasn't doing terribly well in the ratings either. Honestly I don't think the Salkinds nor Golan & Globus contributed anything of value to the Superman movie years of the late 1970's early 1980's. Superman: The Movie was successful largely because of Richard Donner's creative instinct, and the large budget and attention to quality special effects, not to the Salkinds. Had they kept that formula for Superman II (stayed out of the creative decision-making), then that followup would have been even more superior than the "Donner-Cut" version that came out later, and Superman III would have been rescued from the clutches of comedian Richard Pryor who effectively funded it so he could star in it - and that script was horrible. That then led to the disastrous (and temporary) transfer of custody to Golan & Globus whose productions always ranged from mediocre to embarrassing, yet who had nabbed contacts with big action stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chuck Norris, effectively pumping out lots of bad movies with them, and intended to do the same thing with Christopher Reeve. It's really a shame, because Christopher Reeve's legacy as Superman could've been so much grander after the original movie had producers without any storytelling talent not interfered with the creative process.

Just like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman, Christopher Reeve was not an actor playing Superman...he was Superman. I still get chills when I see him in the first movie rip open his suit to reveal the Superman emblem. Rest in Peace. You are still missed.

Even if Superman 5 was released and was bad, I would still be happy seeing Christoper Reeve fight Brainiac.

Christopher Reeve as Superman with today's FX would have been a glorious sight to behold. He was indeed a hero with and without a cape.

I liked Superman 3 only for Christopher Reeve showing his dark side and light side of his personality. That whole junkyard battle scene was great and how Christopher (Superman) overcame this dual personality of battling himself was brilliant. He was awesome.

Christopher Reeves was the quintessential Superman. What a tragedy. He and his wife Dana are missed

Christopher Reeve on Superman: "He's a friend. Everybody needs a friend." There's something magical about Christopher Reeve's performance as Superman. Every time I watch one of his Superman films, I see him as Superman. He's not Christopher Reeve as Superman...he IS Superman. He truly understood what made the character great. More importantly, Christopher Reeve was a superhero in real life.

It's very sad that this movie never came to be. The plot sounds really awesome and well thought-out. I think it definitely would have put Superman back in the spotlight again with movie goers.

This would've been a great end to Christopher Reeve's story as Superman. It sucks they were never able to do this

Christopher Reeve is SUPERMAN period, no one will ever replace him! R.I.P CR

I've often wished for an animated continuation of the Christopher Reeve/Richard Donner SUPERMAN franchise. I imagine that Reeve would have consented to his likeness (and a voiceover) being used. It could be epic.

Truly, Christopher Reeve was the one true Superman both on and off the screen.

The footage of Christopher Reeve discussing what happened to Superman 5 blew me away! Wow! I didn't know that footage existed!!! Great job overall!!!!

Christoper Reeve will forever be The One and Only True Superman 😩💯😩💯

I'm a true die hard Bat Man fan. Christopher Reeve will always be my Superman. Rest in power Christopher.

The fact Cannon took the other half of the budget that was meant for Superman 4 and used it to finance a Masters of The Universe movie instead is really frustrating to know.

Christopher Reeve was born to play Superman. He got the essence of both characters perfect. There was a distinct difference between Kent and Superman that hasn’t been captured since. People say he would be brilliant as superman today yes but he could pull the role off in 1950 or 60 his character work was that good.

Christopher Reeve and Chadwick Boseman were real life superheroes. Both fought brave battles till the end.

Christopher Reeve 's son Will Reeve is a reporter on Good Morning America. Christopher and Dana would be proud! Rest in peace to the both of them.

Christopher Reeve was an ambassador for people with disabilities not just a nice actor I was at the Special Olympics this guy picks me up I don't know who he is but I find out from my father it's one of my favorite actors I had watched Superman and he was such a great role model to be able to get picked up by him when I was such a little kid what happened to him just made me cry

Christopher Reeve is and always will be SUPERMAN.

i dont care how many bad any films would been made if it was meaning, Christopher Reevee would been on it, R.I.P to the true Superman and his wife, they both fought very strong, and will always be remembered

I didn't know they were planning to make a Superman 5 back then the story and script of Superman 5 sounds amazing I bet it would have been a badass movie if it was made.

Christopher Reeve proved He didn't need a cape to be a Hero in real life, He helped so many people with his Charity work and Foundation, an incredible man who put the " S " in Super, R.I.P. Mr Reeve.

If only Warner Brothers got the film rights away from Cannon Films, they could have made the best Superman movie with Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve will Always be My Number one Classic/Iconic Superman.

as far as I am concerned Christopher Reeve will always be Superman. R.I.P.

Superman V sounds like a very ambitious Movie. Certainly a lot better than the last two previous films. Might've been Interesting to see how It would've turned out.

No matter what people say about Superman 3 and Superman 4, all the Superman movies with Chris Reeve are beautiful masterpieces for me since I am a big Superman fan myself. Superman 5 would've been a bittersweet yet epic superhero movie in the Christopher Reeve franchise. The closest movie we got for Superman 5 was Superman Returns in my opinion. Interesting story though!

I've been a lifelong Superman fan and to learn at 43 y/o that JS created Superman as a protector after his father was murdered makes Superman not only incredible but important and direct from the heart.

Reeves was paralyzed nearly a year to the day after I was in a car accident. It still chokes me up thinking about it. RIP, the Once and Future Superman.

This is so heartbreaking. Superman V would have been the perfect apology movie. Personally, I would love for somebody at DC to adapt the script into comic form like what happened with Frank Millar's RoboCop 2, but I get the feeling they already did. As this sounds an awful lot like the "Superman: Brainiac" miniseries that came out in 2008.

"In act 3, I want him to fight a giant spider.."

I wonder if Jonathan Kent dyeing in the film was a nod to the creators dad dying? Pa Kent is not dead in the original comics but his death in the film is such a tragedy to Superman as he feels powerless.

Superman: Returns is basically Superman V Brandon Routh did say his and Christopher Reeves superman are one and the same, and Bryan Singer also said it is a sequel to Superman II.

Christopher Reeve. Forever Superman. ♥️

I would have loved to have seen a Superman 5

It would've wonderful to see Christopher Reeve bow out of the role in this way. I can't imagine the effects would've lived up to the scope of the film, but the story hits the right emotional beats. Ah well. Fantastic video, btw. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Thanks for all you did to make this excellent documentary. To be honest, the part that means the most to me is being reminded Superman was created at least in part in response to Jerry Siegel's father being killed during a nighttime robbery. From personal tragedy great things are sometimes born! What an important lesson!

Superman has some amazing enemies: Mentallo, Braniac, that little dude with the wacky name, Bizarro. But after all these movies we only get awful Lex Luthor impersonators, a couple of decent Zods, and a pathetic "Doomsday".

Imagine If Superman 5 Existed, And Then In 1995, A Movie About Batman And Superman Is Released, And Then A Justice League Movie In 1997...

This movie would've taken years to make, With no guarantee that It would make any more money than the Previous Superman films. Pretty obvious why It got canceled.

Christopher Reeve was a true super man and in my opinion he’ll always be the only superman that played that role there have been some other good ones don’t get me wrong, but I have yet to see somebody truly encapsulate the essence of what they can’t they were supposed to be fully

Would have loved to see Christopher Reeve play Superman again. He was the best Superman, Superman II is still one of my favourite Superhero movies, I was 11 when It came out and at the time was the most expenisive movie ever made! RIP Christopher

The Christopher Reeve sequel for Superman that I would have loved involved Donner's Superman meeting Burton's Batman on a parallel Earth that had no superheroes.

They hit the jackpot when they cast Christopher Reeve as Superman. He had the build and the face. Especially when he smiled. So perfect it was as if the comic book creator based his drawings off of a photo of Reeve. Only Brandon Routh has come closest. The 1978 Superman film is still the best film version made. From the cast, writing, acting to the soundtrack by John Williams. And the SFX...incredible job...especially being there was no such thing as CG back then. No computers were used. So it was also a feat in cinematography.

Awww man. That would've been the best/final Superman film of Christopher Reeve could end that franchise on. It sounded so great that I bet it would best film only to be Reeve's last. Sadly it never came to be. Just as much as that idea could've served as a great idea for a return story for Superman Returns Singer should've made. I always said like others Brianiac would've been perfect as a threat for the return story of Superman proving why the world still needs him. Instead Singer just gives a rehash of Donnor's original film.

Jerry Siegel was penniless after creating Superman. When the Superman Movie came out, he couldn't even afford a ticket to see it.

Why am I just learning about a possible Superman 5 now?

Christopher Reeve will always be my number 1 Superman, my childhood hero! He was also a great person from what I've read about him!

That was fantastic. Thank you. I really wish they had managed to make that movie. Christopher Reeve will always be Superman

The Donner cut of Superman 2 was the best.

Reeve will always be superman in my eyes I wanted 2 see a part 5 after 4 was out

For future reference, the "zine" in fanzine is pronounced "zeen". Also, Jerry Siegel's last name is pronounced ""see-gol". Gerard Christopher is the Superboy actor (from season 2- forward).

The amount of times I just checked the channel for any updates was more than enough to drive me mad. You guys are doing some of my favorite content of RU-vid, I'm glad you are back!

Superman V sounded action packed but it needed more heart imo. But hey, it would have been amazing just to see that man don the cape once more. He and Donner made Superman what he was cinematically and really drew up the blueprint for all superhero films to follow (and still do). As a huge Superman fan, I'm surprised to just be learning about this treatment now! Thanks for your efforts, really enjoyed this and the edited footage to tell V visually. Well done and RiP to the best Man of Steel there ever was (and ever will be).

Supervoid cinema is the fucking best

What a wonderfully put together documentary/concept for V. Very well done!!! I really enjoyed this, thank you for putting so much time into this for the fans. IV has always been my favourite of all the films for the production problems and I had always wondered what Golan and Globus had in mind for their concept for V, if they had one! Lol! It was crazy when they were debating on using the deleted footage from IV into V. At the time, I wonder what big name would have been epic as Brainiac. I am surprised the character has not been used in the later films. Such a shame we didn't get a redemption of a fifth film with the late amazing and talented Christopher Reeve and the original cast. I know we had Returns but that really was a huge missed opportunity that really let the series down, it just played it too safe and had Jon Peters fingerprints all over it. The video of Reeve saying about V being in production is so sad because you can tell he really wanted to end the films on a high, giving justice and conclusion to the series at the time. Another reason I liked IV is that Cannon actually continued the series with the original cast. They could have recasted and changed the concept even more, but I am glad we had the IV that came out. The original story by Reeve, Konner and Rosenthal had so much potential and it felt much better than III. Such a shame we never got the V we deserved and it really was tragic what happened to Reeve. He will always be one of my favourite actors of all time and an inspiration to many.

Parallel world where Richard Donner stayed the director/producer of the Superman films. Superman the Movie: Origin of Clark Kent to Superman where he battles Lex Luthor. Superman 2: Zod and his followers come to Earth. Superman 3: Superman vs Brainiac. Superman 4: Supergirl arrives. Superman 5: Luthor Creates Bizzaro. Superman 6: Death of Superman. Superman 7: Enter the Knight. Superman 8: The final showdown with Luthor. Superman 9: Darkseid comes to Earth. Would this have been the layout? Probably not lol. But it’s fun to think about

If Christopher reeves hadn't gotten injured and dies, he could have been in flashpoint...

Christopher Reeve looks his best in Superman 3.

Sadly, WB doesn't know what to do with Superman these days. This would of been a fine conclusion to Revee era of Superman.

I really would've loved to see Sups 5 with Donner at the helm again. At least we got to see the cast one last time in Smallville. I cried when Christopher Reeve appeared in Smallville just before his death.

Love John Williams score 😍 it’s truly missed in the new 🎥 films.like taking the Star Wars score away.you wouldn’t do it .

I wish Brainiac could have been used for a change. Always loved the character of Lex Luthor, but 4 movies was enough.

You know its a good day when Supervoid Cinema uploads

I'm 44 and was a massive fan of the original and legendary Reeve Superman I've never heard of a Superman 5 even getting thought of........

The more I hear about the troubles that come about trying to make a good superhero movie, the more impressed I am with Kevin Feige pulling together all the franchises to make so many.

Awesome video, so much detail included that I have never heard of. RIP Christopher Reeve.

There are times where people who really dropped the ball on a great opportunity. Not making this movie is one of them.

The editing of all the different Superman story sources into a cohesive thing while you explained the plot was some amazing work, really well done!

Christopher Reeve will always be the one and only

This year finally got better. Welcome back, Supervoid Cinema!

Bummed we never got a 5th Reeve movie, but seeing Routh carry on with the exact same character in Returns ALL THE WAY to Crisis on Infinite Earths makes me feel happy and satisfied. Reeve/Routh Superman is MY favorite live-action iteration

That third draft has the best story of any Superman movie. So frustrated we never got it, let alone with Chris Reeve. RIP.

After the hot steaming pile of crap that was Superman 4, it's not hard to see how this fell through.

Loved to seen it as a movie sadly never made RIP Chrisopher Reeve we miss you😪 the only true Superman not just as best actor played him as Superman but in real life to you are a total legend you will live on forever.

The biggest issue was that the Salkinds didn’t have a solid sequel/spin-off for the Supergirl character. The Salkinds wanted to expand the Superman mythos by adding in more characters from the Superman comics. Had they had a killer script, I’m sure Christopher Reeve would have reprised his role as the Man of Steel. Superman 3 was not as good as the other two films even though I happen to like it since it was the only Original Superman movie I got to see in theaters. The other nail in the coffin was that Cannon Film used half of the Superman 4 budget to make Masters of the Universe which is why I don’t like Masters. Personally I would’ve loved to see Christopher Reeve come back better than ever with a very well written script and the proper large budget a Superman movie needs. Had Cannon Films made the right decisions and gave Superman the respect he deserves than maybe the fourth installment would’ve done well enough to green light a fifth Superman movie.

Terrible when ended up in wheelchair, fall from horse, superman didn't kill. Should of stayed that way, thanks to all involved childhoods like mine believe,, great moral, my childhood hero R, I, P

Sounds like the bones of this script could have worked pretty well for a Man of Steel film. I don't see how this would have been filmable 30 years ago though.

Crazy. Too much batman and less Superman these days . Why is it so hard to get superman another blockbuster??

holy shit, at 15:08 that image of Gerard Christopher was photoshopped by me. Gave me a huge smile to see it in your video. The suit is actually made from a photo of the 1990 Flash suit. With obviously the superman returns belt. if you wanna see a side by side comparison with the original photo of the flash, its on my instagram tom_gallagher_artwork, it's near the bottom, but don't worry i don't have that many pictures up there so you'll find it easily. Also thanks for mentioning Superboy. That show has such a special place in my heart.

Christopher Reeve (R.I.P.) will always be Superman to me.

That was amazing! Thanks for both gathering that background information along with showing the plot and the behind the scenes. Very great presentation👍

This is a very well done video with lots of interesting information. I find it ironic that although Siegel denied the influence of Philip Wylie's "Gladiator", DC would later embrace Hugo Danner as the backstory for one of my favorite DC characters, Iron Munro, created to replace the Golden Age Superman in the Post-Crisis Universe. The Superboy TV series gets little respect, but actually touched on a lot of mature themes in it's later seasons, basically becoming X-Files before X-Files. It also heavily foreshadows themes later found in the Death of Superman story (especially Conner's first look). Superman IV is a guilty pleasure for me and I'm a Nuclear Man defender. If done right (Mark Pillow's own voice, no fingernails of death) he would have been Superman's most dangerous foe yet. There is the core of a great movie there. Ditto Supergirl with all it's campy goodness.

The algorithm has blessed me your videos. Awesome content!

Thank you RU-vid recommendations! Love the lost media content you're covering. SUBSCRIBED.

It's really fulfilling to watch very well researched topic like this. Sincere videos like yours does not come very often. Thanks and keep doing what you do best.

Supervoid Cinema Returns! Great guys, never knew that a Superman 5 movie was actually planed, thanks!

This was great! look forward to more. I didn't realize they came quite close to a Superman 5 with Chris Reeve, so interesting. 👍

Can’t wait for the next episode about Reborn/Lives!

First off, congrats and thanks for a really well-done retrospective. I thought I knew the full story of Superman V but I clearly did not. The research, writing, and execution on this video is really appreciated. I know telling the Superman V story using clips from a multitude of projects wasn't easy for many reasons, but the result was fantastic. Looking forward to more from your channel!

Heck Yeah! Supervoid back at it again!

At last! I missed your videos!

Where has this video been all my life? What a great great great collaboration here. Lots of footage that I haven’t seen in the story I didn’t know.

many MEN OF STEEL but only one SUPERMAN. Rest MR. REEVE

So exited to see your next videos, keep up the good work. 👍

I can't be the only person who through Superman Returns was a good comeback. After Reeve, Routh is my favorite Superman.

Oh wow I've never knew this. Thanks so much for posting. If it was a Superman 5 I would be the first one in line to see it. I remember I saw Superman 1 in Hollywood at the Chinese Theater in 1978. Many of us love Christopher Reeve .May he R.I.P.

This was a random recommendation and I'm glad. Really entertaining, had no idea about S5. On to find pt.2 here 😄👍