Warner Bros. has been noticeably cautious on making another Superman after Superman Returns' lackluster box office performance, focusing instead on its recently cast Green Lantern while they wait for Christopher Nolan to decide if he wants to make another Batman movie. Yet speculation over a sequel has persisted, and considering Warner's lineup of "tentpole" movies set for release in 2011, the lack of a Superman movie seems unusual.
The development of a sequel to Superman Returns has not been very promising, with director Bryan Singer unlikely to return and Brandon Routh's contract to play Superman expiring. Warner Bros. President Alan Horn has testified that no Superman movie is currently in development, not even a script has been written. That's about to change.
In a recent legal battle between heirs of Superman creators Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel and current right holders DC Comics and Warner Bros., the judge ruled that while Warner Bros. owes no damages to the families, they must begin development of a Superman movie by 2011 or the families can sue again.
While fans will undoubtedly be excited for another Superman, Warner Bros. can't be too pleased. Perhaps it will push them to make the unorthodox Superman script J.J. Abrams wrote.