The original Superman V

From Movies online, "Before "Superman Returns" became the baby of Bryan Singer, before it was starring fresh new face Brandon Routh, before it was even officially named "Superman Returns," the fifth Superman film was mired in Hollywood limbo and being dubbed the most expensive movie never made. The project was a disaster for more than a decade with no end to the downward spiral in sight. The evolution of this movie from a dead weight to actualization to a reality is nothing short of miraculous, considering its bleak history that has now transformed into massive potential.

Looking back is like a convoluted blur. The film went through different titles; "Superman Lives" and "Superman Reborn." Many trips through the rumor mill passed it through the hands of several big names; Kevin Smith, J.J. Abrams, Brett Ratner, to name a few. And, the previous versions of the movie sport the most notorious casting choice that never came to fruition, Nicolas Cage for the part of Superman. (Cage may be holding onto the role a little tightly even after having given up on the 10-year wait to begin filming, since he named his real life son Kal-El.) Complaints about Cage being cast were rampant, as were complaints about every version of the script, be it from the studio or the fans, until finally every detail regarding the movie was locked away in a vault until set in stone and officially announced.

Another major deviation from early on in the project is the story. Originally, the movie was supposed to center around "The Death of Superman," the plot ripped right out of the epic comic tale of how World's Greatest Hero died saving the world from Doomsday. This may be the most significant difference, because "Superman Returns" is revisiting quite a few parts of the Superman mythos that have already been explored on celluloid. While it will be incredible to revisit these moments in this new age of digital wonder enhancing movie magic ten fold, fans may have lost the chance to see an untapped vein of the mythology explored on the big screen.

Perhaps one of the most disappointing differences is the return to Lex Luthor as the primary villain, as with three movies out of the quadrilogy starring Christopher Reeve. Many fans would have loved to see Doomsday take the archenemy spotlight for once, or even Brainiac. However, with Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey portraying Lex, it's highly unlikely there will be any cause for complaint in the bad guy department. (Especially when Spacey has embraced the character with such quirky enthusiasm as to circle Brandon Routh in a golf cart on set while maniacally shouting "Die, Superman, die!")

In past rumors and drafts for "Superman V," the gossip spread was ridiculous. Every circulating detail was foretelling of a trainwreck; Superman doing kung fu, Lex Luthor being a CIA agent from Krypton, the big fight between Superman and Doomsday taking place in the sewer instead of being an epic battle all over the city, and on and on it went like this. There is little that can compare with the struggle it has taken to bring Superman back to theaters. It took enticing Bryan Singer away from the "X-Men" trilogy just to get the Caped Wonder off the ground. With June 30th fast approaching, we may very well be able to reminisce about how bad it could have been and marvel at how great it turned out to be."