Superman Returns
Updated: 12/11/2025, 8:10:50 AM Wikipedia source
Superman Returns is a 2006 American superhero film directed by Bryan Singer, and written by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris from a story by Singer, Dougherty and Harris, based on the DC Comics character Superman. It serves as an homage sequel to Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), ignoring the events of Superman III (1983), Supergirl (1984), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). The film stars Brandon Routh as Superman, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, with James Marsden, Frank Langella, Eva Marie Saint and Parker Posey in supporting roles. In the film, Superman returns to Earth after five years and discovers that his love interest Lois Lane has moved on from him and that his archenemy Lex Luthor is planning to kill him and reshape North America. After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Superman following the critical and financial failure of The Quest for Peace, Warner Bros. Pictures hired Singer to direct Superman Returns in July 2004. The majority of principal photography took place at Fox Studios Australia, Sydney while the visual effects sequences were handled by a number of studios, including Sony Pictures Imageworks, Rhythm & Hues Studios (R&H), Framestore CFC, Rising Sun Pictures and The Orphanage; filming began in March 2005 and ended in November. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its visual effects, storyline and Singer's direction, but criticized its screenplay and runtime. While the film was one of the biggest films of the year, earning $391.1 million on a budget of $204–223 million and becoming the ninth highest-grossing film of 2006, Warner Bros. was disappointed with the worldwide box office return and cancelled a sequel for release in 2009. The Superman film series was rebooted in 2013 with Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill as Superman. Routh later reprised his role as Superman in the 2019 Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths".
Infobox
Tables
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2007 | 79th Academy Awards | Best Visual Effects | Superman Returns | Nominated |
| BAFTAs | Best Special Visual Effects | Superman Returns | Nominated | |
| 27th Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Supporting Actress | Kate Bosworth | Nominated | |
| 33rd Saturn Awards | Best Actor | Brandon Routh | Won | |
| Best Actress | Kate Bosworth | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | James Marsden | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Parker Posey | Nominated | ||
| Best Young Actor | Tristan Lake Leabu | Nominated | ||
| Best Score | John Ottman | Won | ||
| Best Visual Effects | Superman Returns | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris | Won | ||
| Best Director | Bryan Singer | Won | ||
| Best Fantasy Film | Superman Returns | Won |
References
- Filmaffinityhttps://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film300630.html
- American Film Institutehttps://catalog.afi.com/Film/64058-SUPERMAN-RETURNS?cxt=filmography
- Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman06.htm
- Christianity Todayhttps://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/movies/reviews/2006/supermanreturns.html
- The New York Timeshttps://movies.nytimes.com/2006/06/27/movies/27supe.html
- "Superman Returns – Side Effects Software Inc"https://archive.today/20130616003140/http://www.sidefx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=498&Itemid=68
- "Interview with James Marsden: Marsden on "Heights," "Superman Returns," and "X-Men 3""https://web.archive.org/web/20101006033119/http://movies.about.com/od/heights/a/heightsjm060905_2.htm
- Superman Returns Prequel #3 (Lex Luthor)
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4254
- "News: Spacey Talks Superman Returns!"http://www.latinoreview.com/news/spacey-talks-superman-returns-662
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4197
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4196
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/2006/06/16/real-story-behind-superman-returns/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/supe-s-on-with-x-man-1117907948/
- https://www.newsweek.com/steely-man-118139https://www.newsweek.com/steely-man-118139
- Ain't It Cool Newshttps://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=18653
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/legendary-soups-up-pic-presence-1117931953/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2004/film/markets-festivals/singer-s-superman-ready-to-don-cape-1117912211/
- Ain't It Cool Newshttps://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=19526
- IGNhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/701/701420p1.html
- "'Passion' star won't turn into Superman"https://www.today.com/today/wbna6241066
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2004-11-04-superman-routh_x.htm
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2006/legit/markets-festivals/male-star-of-tomorrow-brandon-routh-1117939805/
- Newsaramahttps://web.archive.org/web/20190617054418/https://www.newsarama.com/10389-actor-daniel-cudmore-on-halo-colossus-twilight-superman.html
- FilmInkhttps://www.filmink.com.au/close-casting-calls-henry-cavill-in-superman-returns
- ""There's a key somewhere in relaxing." Sam Heughan at the Savoy"https://squaremile.com/culture/film-tv/sam-heughan-photoshoot-interview-outlander/
- "Why Chris Pratt is Happy He Wasn't Cast as Superman"https://movieweb.com/chris-pratt-superman-returns-casting/
- https://lamplightreview.com/interview-its-sunny-star-glenn-howerton-talks-award-snubs-superhero-auditions-jumping-fxx/https://lamplightreview.com/interview-its-sunny-star-glenn-howerton-talks-award-snubs-superhero-auditions-jumping-fxx/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/henry-cavill-man-of-steel-interview/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/wb-finds-super-nemesis-1117915886/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20090421044335/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1073416,00.html
- https://web.archive.org/web/20051224084302/http://www2.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Movies&action=paghttps://web.archive.org/web/20051224084302/http://www2.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Movies&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270338&obj_id=42741
- Daily Newshttp://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/adams-super-dream-playing-lois-lane-true-article-1.1369425
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4202
- IGNhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/701/701987p1.html
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20050407210857/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000866132
- "Hugh Laurie Talks on 'Superman Returns'"https://www.killermovies.com/s/superman/articles/4828.html
- "National Post from Toronto, Ontario, Canada on May 20, 2006 · 113"https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/514578090/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2005/film/markets-festivals/oz-state-makes-super-bid-1117918296/
- Varietyhttps://web.archive.org/web/20120307174439/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117920593
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/article/2006/04/08/hint-things-come-superman-returns/
- The Sydney Morning Herald
- The Northern Daily Leaderhttps://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/1107748/superman-flies-in-to-the-north-west/
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4193
- The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)
- IGNhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/707/707839p1.html
- The Hollywood Reporter
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4203
- Ain't It Cool Newshttps://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23646
- San Francisco Chroniclehttps://web.archive.org/web/20081009193639/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2006%2F06%2F23%2Fentertainment%2Fe130933D27.DTL
- Music From the Movieshttps://web.archive.org/web/20060511205407/http://www.musicfromthemovies.com/article.asp?ID=355
- Requiem for Mutants: The Score of X2
- IGNhttps://web.archive.org/web/20070623082022/http://music.ign.com/articles/715/715170p1.html
- The Daily Beasthttps://archive.today/20120530130851/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/07/02/a-flying-leap.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2005/voices/columns/comicbook-films-striking-up-the-brand-1117925944/
- The New Indian Expresshttps://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2008/nov/29/you-will-believe-a-page-can-fly-3147.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/piqued-by-prequels-1200339566/
- Apple QuickTimehttps://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/supermanreturns/
- Promo Magazinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20071028162338/http://promomagazine.com/mag/marketing_superman_soars_mm/
- Warner Bros.http://supermanreturns.warnerbros.com
- "SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE MOVIE AND MORE TALES OF THE MAN OF STEEL"https://web.archive.org/web/20090630192705/http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/graphic_novels/?gn=5194
- "Superman Returns For Author Wolfman"https://web.archive.org/web/20110810201652/http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/115147414715502.htm
- IGNhttp://xbox360.ign.com/articles/746/746849p1.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/30/1
- Formula Onehttps://web.archive.org/web/20070405055445/http://www.formula1.com/race/news/4436/757.html
- Jeff Gordon Onlinehttp://www.gordonline.com/paintschemes.html
- Ducati.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20071220235427/http://www.ducati.com/racing/home_news_popup_racing.jhtml?newsId=30584
- Superhero Hype!http://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4379
- Ain't It Cool Newshttps://www.aintitcool.com/node/23943
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2006/film/news/filmmakers-resist-putting-pix-to-the-test-1200339804/
- IGN.comhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/710/710606p1.html
- WSJ.comhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115161314213794566
- the-numbers.comhttps://www.the-numbers.com/news/182360830-Superman-Returns-21-million-on-Opening-Day
- Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman06.htm
- The Spokesman-Review; spokesman.comhttps://www.spokesman.com/stories/2006/jul/04/superman-controls-weekend-box-office/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/super-project-for-imax-1117940662/
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-07-02-box-office-analysis_x.htm
- superherohype.comhttps://www.superherohype.com/features/92085-superman-returns-hits-200-million-mark
- Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2006&p=.htm
- Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=2006&p=.htm
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_returns
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/superman-returns
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2006/07/superman-returns-didnt-soar-420/
- cinemascore.comhttp://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20170916153548/https://m.cinemascore.com/
- Timehttps://web.archive.org/web/20060622153429/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1205367,00.html
- The Wall Street Journalhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/SB115144171019392218?mod=weekend_leisure_banner_left
- Rolling Stonehttps://web.archive.org/web/20061214065002/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/7222783/review/10638508/superman_returns
- The Village Voicehttps://web.archive.org/web/20081022214751/http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-06-20/film/myths-american/
- ReelViews.nethttp://preview.reelviews.net/movies/s/superman_returns.html
- Ebert, Rogerhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/superman-returns-2006
- San Francisco Chroniclehttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/06/27/DDGTSJJOPK1.DTL&type=movies
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/style/tmagazine/03taranw.html
- indieWirehttps://web.archive.org/web/20120118051952/http://blogs.indiewire.com/pressplay/video-essay
- IndieWirehttps://web.archive.org/web/20141006083256/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/bryan-singer-says-superman-returns-was-made-for-more-of-a-female-audience-sequel-wouldve-featured-darkseid-20140204
- empireonline.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20150924011849/http://www.empireonline.com/500/71.asp
- empireonline.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20111019071645/http://www.empireonline.com/500/1.asp
- Oscars.orghttps://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2007
- BAFTA.orghttp://www.bafta.org/awards-database.html?sq=Superman+Returns
- saturnawards.orghttps://web.archive.org/web/20110512032708/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html
- razzies.comhttp://www.razzies.com/history/27thNoms.asp
- Video Businesshttp://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6374288.html
- "Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition"https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25423/superman-ultimate-collectors-edition/
- Home Media Magazinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110717204526/http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/superman-flies-no-1-10018
- Home Media Magazinehttps://web.archive.org/web/20110717204559/http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/warner-ups-hd-slate-10134
- "Best-selling DVDs of 2007"https://web.archive.org/web/20110928113552/http://entimg.msn.com/i/2007YearInReview/2007TopDVDs.pdf
- IGNhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/690/690806p1.html
- Latino Reviewhttps://web.archive.org/web/20081011054438/http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-dc-comics-president-gives-superman-update-5511
- "Superman Returns' Lois Lane, Kate Bosworth"http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4382
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/spacey-set-for-superman-sequel-2-1117968333/
- "Huntington Signed for Two Superman Sequels"http://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4370
- "Frank Langella on the Return of Perry White"http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6509
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/brandon-routh-and-bryan-singer-tease-superman-returns-sequel/
- Supermanhttps://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/inside-move-superman-playing-with-singer-s-sked-1200336420/
- Movieholehttps://web.archive.org/web/20130516052146/http://moviehole.net/201033129-what-would-doughertys-superman-sequel-have-been
- "Bryan Singer – Exclusive Video Interviews at the 2007 Saturn Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20071230214150/http://www.collider.com/entertainment/interviews/article.asp/aid/4346/tcid/1
- Supermanhttp://www.superherohype.com/news/featuresnews.php?id=4542
- Supermanhttps://variety.com/2006/film/news/wb-mulls-superman-redux-1200342128/
- Supermanhttp://www.superherohype.com/news/supermannews.php?id=4658
- Empirehttps://web.archive.org/web/20111105153237/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=22165
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://web.archive.org/web/20070715003642/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3if727c623f03c782b8ad564866c828796
- The Honolulu Advertiserhttp://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2006/Nov/08/br/br0948627351.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/united-artists-grabs-singer-thriller-1117961116/
- "Superman Sequel Eyeing March '08 Start"http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=5358
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/superman-writers-won-t-return-1117974449/
- IGNhttp://movies.ign.com/articles/845/845293p1.html
- "Brandon Routh Exclusive Video Interview - Lie to Me"https://web.archive.org/web/20170623112853/http://collider.com/brandon-routh-exclusive-video-interview-lie-to-me/
- MTV Newshttps://web.archive.org/web/20140101135603/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/06/brandon-routh-says-his-superman-contract-has-expired/
- The Wall Street Journalhttps://web.archive.org/web/20110412021517/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121936107614461929.html
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2019/07/tyler-hoechlin-brandon-routh-superman-arrowverse-crossover-the-cw-1202649053/
- Heroic Hollywoodhttps://heroichollywood.com/brandon-routh-kingdom-come-superman-crisis/
- SlashFilmhttps://www.slashfilm.com/crisis-on-infinite-earths-crossover/
- "Producers Confirm Brandon Routh's 'Crisis' Superman as Continuation of Christopher Reeves Movies Superman"https://sciencefiction.com/2019/11/20/returning-again-producers-confirm-brandon-rouths-crisis-superman-as-continuation-of-christopher-reeves-movies-superman/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/crisis-infinite-earths-superman-movies-reeve-routh-arrowverse-canon/
- Screen Ranthttps://screenrant.com/superman-returns-movie-christopher-reeve-canon-continuity-explained/
- Legends of Tomorrow