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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

Directed by
Bryan Singer
Screenplay by
mw- Michael Dougherty Dan Harris
Story by
Bryan Singer Michael Dougherty Dan Harris
Based on
Characters appearing in comic books publishedby DC Comics
Produced by
Jon Peters Bryan Singer Gilbert Adler
Starring
Brandon Routh Kate Bosworth James Marsden Frank Langella Eva Marie Saint Parker Posey Kal Penn Sam Huntington Kevin Spacey
Cinematography
Newton Thomas Sigel
Edited by
John Ottman Elliot Graham
Music by
John Ottman
Productioncompanies
Warner Bros. Pictures Legendary Pictures DC Entertainment Peters Entertainment Bad Hat Harry Productions Outback Pictures Inc.
Distributed by
Warner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
June 21, 2006 (2006-06-21) (Los Angeles) June 28, 2006 (2006-06-28) (United States)
Running time
154 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$223 million (gross) $204 million (net)
Box office
$391.1 million

Tables

· Reception › Accolades
2007
2007
Year
2007
Award
79th Academy Awards
Category
Best Visual Effects
Recipient
Superman Returns
Result
Nominated
BAFTAs
BAFTAs
Year
BAFTAs
Award
Best Special Visual Effects
Category
Superman Returns
Recipient
Nominated
27th Golden Raspberry Awards
27th Golden Raspberry Awards
Year
27th Golden Raspberry Awards
Award
Worst Supporting Actress
Category
Kate Bosworth
Recipient
Nominated
33rd Saturn Awards
33rd Saturn Awards
Year
33rd Saturn Awards
Award
Best Actor
Category
Brandon Routh
Recipient
Won
Best Actress
Best Actress
Year
Best Actress
Award
Kate Bosworth
Category
Nominated
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actor
Year
Best Supporting Actor
Award
James Marsden
Category
Nominated
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actress
Year
Best Supporting Actress
Award
Parker Posey
Category
Nominated
Best Young Actor
Best Young Actor
Year
Best Young Actor
Award
Tristan Lake Leabu
Category
Nominated
Best Score
Best Score
Year
Best Score
Award
John Ottman
Category
Won
Best Visual Effects
Best Visual Effects
Year
Best Visual Effects
Award
Superman Returns
Category
Nominated
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay
Year
Best Screenplay
Award
Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris
Category
Won
Best Director
Best Director
Year
Best Director
Award
Bryan Singer
Category
Won
Best Fantasy Film
Best Fantasy Film
Year
Best Fantasy Film
Award
Superman Returns
Category
Won
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

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