Continuing its tradition of revealing significant cameos ahead of schedule, DC Comics has recently unveiled an astounding surprise for its highly anticipated upcoming film, “The Flash.” With only a few weeks left until its release, this early revelation has ignited a whirlwind of curiosity among eager viewers.
In the past, fans expressed their disappointment when a pivotal cameo featuring Wonder Woman was prematurely showcased in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” through a TV spot, which seemed like a desperate attempt to boost the movie’s appeal. However, this strategy fell short of enhancing its box office performance.
Now, as the spotlight shifts to “The Flash,” director Andy Muschietti has shed light on the cameos that never made it to the screen, including Marlon Brando’s Jor-El and Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman. Among the rampant speculation surrounding the film’s climax and the incarnation of Batman, there is one burning question that persists: Will Superman make an appearance?
During a captivating interview with Esquire Middle East, director Andy Muschietti confirmed a long-standing rumor that has been circulating for quite some time now: a cameo by Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel in “The Flash.” This announcement has sent fans worldwide into a frenzy of excitement, especially considering Cage’s absence from the Superman character for nearly two decades. Muschietti couldn’t praise Cage’s performance enough, stating, “Nic was absolutely wonderful, and he fully embraced it, despite it being a cameo.”
Described by Muschietti as a “committed Superman aficionado” and a “voracious comic book fan,” Cage has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the director. Muschietti, who fulfilled a lifelong dream by working with Cage, enthusiastically expressed his desire to collaborate with him again in the near future.
Interestingly, Cage was initially slated to portray Superman in the ’90s in a shelved project called “Superman Lives,” directed by Tim Burton. The film was set to feature Chris Rock as Jimmy Olsen, Sandra Bullock as Lois Lane, Christopher Walken as the villainous Brainiac, and revamped versions of Lex Luthor and Doomsday. The “Superman Lives” screenplay, which underwent multiple revisions by Kevin Smith, Wesley Strick, and Dan Gilroy, reached the stage where Cage prepared for screen tests in his Man of Steel costume. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints, the project was ultimately canceled in 1998.
A noteworthy aspect of Cage’s cameo in “The Flash” is its uniqueness—it is not simply recycled footage. Muschietti emphasized his direct collaboration with Cage, a sensible approach considering that “Superman Lives” never progressed beyond the pre-production stage, leaving no archival footage to utilize. The cameo is expected to be one of the many incredible sights that Barry Allen encounters while inadvertently tampering with the Multiverse. Cage is anticipated to don a brand-new costume, departing from the one he wore during the screen tests, possibly accompanied by a distinctively retro mullet.
Movie enthusiasts can look forward to witnessing this electrifying cameo when “The Flash” hits theaters on Friday, June 16, 2023. As the film draws nearer, the excitement continues to build, fueled by the prospect of seeing Nicolas Cage don the red and blue suit once again and leave an indelible mark on the superhero genre.
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