Superman Vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon (Cappella Books) - Softcover

Jake Rossen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556527314 ISBN 13: 9781556527319

Publisher: Chicago Review Press, 2008

Synopsis

Superman has fought for nearly seven decades to conquer radio, television, and filmbut his battles behind the scenes have proved a far greater threat than any fictional foe. For the first time, one book unearths all the details of his turbulent adventures in Tinseltown.Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, "Superman vs. Hollywood" spills the beans on Marlon Brando s eccentricities; the challenges of making Superman appear to fly; the casting process that at various points had Superman being played by Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Ashton Kutcher, and even Muhammad Ali; and the Superman movies, fashioned by such maverick filmmakers as Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, that never made it to the screen."

About this title

Review:

"Rossen compiles it all so effortlessly and with such endearing pace you will not be able to put it down." --Mark Millar, award-winning comic book writer, from the foreword

"""The best book yet about the powerful and profitable relationship between superheroes and Hollywood." --Devin Faraci, critic," Cinematic Happenings Under Development"

"Superman fans, take warning--you will not want to know any of the gut-churning facts contained herein. And you will not be able to stop reading. Good luck." --Patton Oswalt, actor and comedian

"Rossen has done a fantastic job of researching and writing. . . . This fascinating book stunned me with information that even I was totally unaware of." --Jack Larson, actor/producer, Jimmy Olsen on "Adventures of Superman"

"Essential for pop-culture collections." "--Booklist"

"Fast, smart and uncompromising." --Tom Mankiewicz, screenwriter, director, and creative consultant on "Superman" and "Superman II"

"Replete with scams, lawsuits, megolomaniacal egos, and neurotic actors, with plenty of juicy gossip. "Library Journal""

"Essential for pop-culture collections." "Booklist""

"Solid research and crisp prose make this Superman book a winner." "Kirkus Reviews""

"The best book yet about the powerful and profitable relationship between superheroes and Hollywood." Devin Faraci, critic, " Cinematic Happenings Under Development""

Synopsis:

Tinseltown's fascination with the comic icon is detailed in this book, encompassing all the behind-the-scenes machinations that helped shape Superman into a screen legend - and all the derailed projects that have vilified everyone involved. These newly uncovered stories about the odyssey of bringing the Man of Steel to the big screen include the challenge of making Superman appear to fly, and the many casting processes, which at various points had Superman being played by the likes of Bruce Jenner, Robert Redford, Sylvester Stallone, Neil Diamond, Nicolas Cage, Justin Timberlake, Keanu Reeves, and even Muhammad Ali.Based on extensive interviews with producers, screenwriters, cast members, and crew, this expose spills the beans on all the various TV shows, from the classic "The Adventures of Superman" to the current hit "Smallville"; the various animated efforts on both the large and small screens; and the movies - from 1979's smash hit "Superman: The Movie" to 2006's wildly expensive "Superman Returns".

Also included are the stories about the Superman movies that never made it to the screen, helmed by maverick directors Kevin Smith and Tim Burton, and featuring expenditures on scripts and sets that are even more eye-popping than the films' special effects.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1556527314
• ISBN 13: 9781556527319
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352