Nicolas Cage has not yet decided to dive into Tim Burton’s stylistic approach for “The Flash.” The celebrated director, known for his halted ’90s “Superman Lives” project with Cage as the lead—a film that famously never came to fruition—expressed dissatisfaction with Andy Muschietti’s June release for featuring a segment where Cage dons the Superman outfit in a series of universe-jumping cameos. Speaking with the British Film Institute, Burton expressed his displeasure, criticizing what he sees as the misuse of Michael Keaton’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne. Keaton had reprised his role in “The Flash,” sharing the screen with Ezra Miller.
Cage, during an interview with Yahoo Entertainment to promote his highly anticipated film “Dream Scenario,” expressed confusion rather than frustration concerning his involvement in “The Flash.” He confirmed his presence on the set to dismiss rumors that his appearance might have been digitally constructed from old “Superman Lives” footage. Cage mentioned the considerable effort that went into crafting the costume and praised Muschietti’s direction, acknowledging his admiration for Muschietti’s work on the “It” films. His role was meant to be a silent testament to the end of a universe, a challenge he met by expressing a myriad of emotions solely through his eyes, despite having no lines.
However, Cage noticed that the final cut of “The Flash” significantly altered his performance. Instead of the intended silent observation, his scene turned into a humorous nod to the unmade “Superman Lives,” involving a fight with a giant spider—a concept he never actually filmed. He shared his understanding of Burton’s concerns over artificial intelligence and creative appropriation, though he clarified that his scene’s alterations were not AI-generated but rather the result of CGI.
Cage took some solace in the fact that the film showcased the Superman suit designed by Colleen Atwood, which was originally created for Burton’s unrealized movie. He appreciated the opportunity for the public to see Atwood’s design.
In a different discussion with Yahoo for the “Costume Designer’s Reel,” Atwood, who is also promoting her new film “Pain Hustlers,” recounted the odd experience of learning about the cancellation of “Superman Lives” on the same day as the scheduled test filming. Atwood has an extensive collaborative history with Burton, including the forthcoming “Beetlejuice” sequel. She described how they had innovatively approached the costume design given the era’s constraints. She was particularly enthused about a “healing” costume that featured cutting-edge technology resembling a light show, an idea she still holds dear despite the project’s cancellation.
Atwood further detailed her creative process, emphasizing the need to reinvent Superman’s look while respecting the iconic emblem. She experimented with different designs for the character’s shorts, ultimately opting for a more integrated appearance that complemented Superman’s physique. The costume design for “Superman Lives” included three variations: the traditional suit, a black suit as a modern reinterpretation, and the unique healing costume, which remained unseen due to the film’s termination.
