Imagine a world where Superman, the ultimate symbol of hope and heroism, is reimagined as a gritty, intense character battling a giant spider. Sounds bizarre, right? But this was almost a reality in the mid-1990s, long before Nicolas Cage was even in the picture. Superman Lives, a planned reboot helmed by Tim Burton, was set to shatter expectations—and not just because of its director. The man behind the curtain, producer Jon Peters, had some truly out-there ideas that would make even the most die-hard fans scratch their heads. And this is the part most people miss: Peters originally wanted Sean Penn, known for his brooding, intense roles, to don the red cape. Yes, you read that right.
In Andy Muschietti’s 2023 film The Flash, there’s a mind-bending moment where the titular hero (Ezra Miller) breaks through the fabric of time and glimpses alternate realities. Among these is a brief but unforgettable cameo of Nicolas Cage as Superman, locked in battle with—you guessed it—a giant spider. This wasn’t just a random Easter egg; it was a nod to the infamous Superman Lives project that never saw the light of day. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was Peters’ vision of a darker, spider-fighting Superman ahead of its time, or just plain bizarre? Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who was briefly attached to write the script, has spilled the beans on Peters’ eccentric demands, and they’re as wild as they come.
Peters, it seems, had a peculiar disdain for Superman’s traditional elements. No flying? Check. Minimal time in the iconic suit? Check. A quirky sidekick reminiscent of Smith’s own Chasing Amy? Check. And, of course, the pièce de résistance: a gladiatorial showdown with a giant spider. Smith recalls Peters’ fascination with Penn’s performance in Dead Man Walking, claiming the actor’s ‘violent animal’ eyes made him perfect for the role. But Smith pushed back, suggesting Nicolas Cage instead—a fan of the comics who could bring a unique energy to the character. When Burton came on board and Cage was cast, Smith felt vindicated. Yet, the project crumbled before it could take flight.
Superman Lives may have been scrapped, but Peters’ obsession with giant arachnids lived on. He later produced Wild Wild West (1999), which featured—you guessed it—a massive mechanical spider. Fast forward to 2023, and Smith found himself unexpectedly moved by the Flash cameo. ‘God damn it, [the giant spider] would have worked,’ he admitted to The Hollywood Reporter. ‘As much as I used to make fun of Jon Peters, that looked badass.’
Since the demise of Superman Lives, the Superman franchise has been rebooted multiple times—Superman Returns (2006), Man of Steel (2013), and the upcoming 2025 film. Each iteration brings its own twist, but none have dared to include a giant spider battle. Is this a missed opportunity, or a bullet dodged? Let’s spark some debate: Would Sean Penn’s Superman have worked? Was Peters’ vision genius or madness? And should the giant spider ever make its way into the canon? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
