In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, filmmaker Kevin Smith expressed his excitement over Nicolas Cage’s cameo as Superman in the film The Flash. Smith revealed that he “just about passed out” when he first learned that Cage would be appearing in the film as the iconic superhero.
For Smith, this moment was particularly special because he had a personal connection to Superman. He had written several draft screenplays for the infamous 1998 film Superman Lives, which ultimately never happened. Smith has been open about the difficulties he faced during the production of that film, including disagreements with producer Jon Peters over casting choices and creative direction. Peters wanted Sean Penn to play Superman, but Smith advocated for Nicolas Cage, as Cage was a fan of the comics and had expressed interest in the role. When Tim Burton was hired as the director and they decided to go with Cage, Smith felt a sense of validation that his suggestion had been taken seriously.
However, Warner Bros. eventually called off the production of Superman Lives just weeks before filming was set to begin due to creative differences. Fast forward to 2023, and Smith finally got to see his vision come to life in The Flash. In a scene where Barry Allen opens the multiverse, he sees different versions of Superman, including Cage’s Superman fighting a giant spider. The sight of Cage as Superman and the giant spider brought a sense of nostalgia for Smith, who remarked that it was “mind-melting” and that the giant spider would have worked in the context of the film.
Reflecting on the cameo, Smith acknowledged that it reminded him of the possibilities in the multiverse and expressed his desire to see Cage in a full-fledged Superman movie. He suggested that Warner Bros. should embrace the idea of a multiverse and give Cage the opportunity to portray Superman in his own standalone film. Smith argued that Cage’s portrayal would be one of the most interesting Superman movies ever made, given Cage’s talent as an actor. He expressed his full support for such a project and emphasized that a Cage-led Superman movie would be a unique addition to the superhero genre.
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The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti, is currently playing in theaters. Smith’s excitement over Cage’s cameo serves as a testament to the impact that these appearances can have on both fans and the individuals involved in the production of these films. The multiverse concept opens up a whole new world of possibilities for storytelling and allows filmmakers to explore different versions and interpretations of beloved characters like Superman. With the potential for more surprises and cameos in future superhero films, fans can look forward to more exciting moments like the one Kevin Smith experienced while watching The Flash.
