There is a place in Hollywood called “development hell,” where bright ideas rattle around like pinballs waiting to become movies. It might take years until the magic alignment of script, producer, director, star and studio materializes. Sometimes it never happens.

        Comic-book movies seem especially vulnerable to the trap. Consider the fate of Superman 5 (also called Superman Reborn or Superman Lives), a proposed sequel to the popular 1978-1987 series that starred Christopher Reeve.

        After complex negotiations dating to the mid-1990s, pre-production work began in 1997 for a version to be directed by Tim Burton and starring Nicolas Cage. In April 1998, Warner Bros. announced it had suspended the project indefinitely. Rumors blamed the hold-up on disputes over the script, costumes, hairdos, action figures and budget.

        Countless names have been rumored or reported to be involved with the movie over the years, including screenwriters Paul Attanasio (Donnie Brasco), Kevin Smith (Chasing Amy) and Ron Bass (Rain Man), directors Oliver Stone (Platoon), Brad Silbering (City of Angels) and, within the past month, McG (Charlie's Angels). Hardly a male actor has escaped the rumor mill on supposed leading-man candidates, including Russell Crowe, John Cusack and David Duchovny.

        Still, the movie remains unmade, and no start date is in sight.
       Superman is not alone in limbo. Among the other potential superhero movies stuck somewhere short of the starting gate:

        • Archie — Briefly seen as yummy movie material for sizzling young stars like Melissa Joan Hart, Rose McGowan and Scott Foley. For now, dead in the water, given the weak box-office performance of Josie and the Pussycats.

        • Catwoman — Lots of talk, no action, until Ashley Judd reportedly agreed to play the role last year. A couple of scripts later, still no word.

        • Green Hornet — Back in 1995, George Clooney was briefly slated to star. Then he made Batman. After passing through many hands since then, it remains unmade, despite a stab by Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) at writing a usable script.

        • Green Lantern — Numerous scripts have been written and rejected.

        • Speed Racer — A bizarre history going back more than seven years. At one point Johnny Depp was alleged to be the star with Alfonso Cuaron (A Little Princess) directing. Last year, word had it video director Hype Williams would take over.

        • Plastic Man — The stretchy hero was adopted by various high-powered producers over the years, and some very strange names floated as potential stars, including Keanu Reeves and Paul Reubens, when he was still Pee-Wee Herman.

        • Sgt. Rock — For a while back in the late '80s, it looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger was really going to get this one made. Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis have also been mentioned for the role of the WWII hero. After years of silence, talk picked up last year; most recently focusing on Vin Diesel.

        • Silver Surfer — Another Marvel hero beloved of many Hollywood types, this Stan Lee creation has been lumbering toward the screen for years, with no debut in sight.

        • Spy vs. Spy — Despite any lack of visible progress, director Jay Roach (Austin Powers, Meet the Parents) has kept this Mad Magazine classic on his to-do list for several years.

        • Wonder Woman — As recently as December, the dam was alleged to be breaking on the long-awaited big-screen version of the Amazonian's adventures, based on the reported willingness of Sandra Bullock to take the role. According to the Internet rumor mill, previous contenders allegedly included Jennifer Aniston, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Shannon Elizabeth, Cameron Diaz, Lucy Lawless, Madonna and Mariah Carey.

Superhero leaps from page to screen
       

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