# Superman Returns

> 2006 film directed by Bryan Singer

**Wikidata**: [Q328695](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328695)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_Returns)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/superman-returns

## Summary
Superman Returns is a 2006 American superhero film directed by Bryan Singer, serving as a sequel to the 1978–1987 Superman film series. It stars Brandon Routh as Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent, Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. The film explores themes of identity, responsibility, and redemption, grossing over $391 million worldwide.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: June 28, 2006 (United States)
- **Director**: Bryan Singer
- **Production Companies**: Warner Bros. Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, DC Comics, and Bad Hat Harry Productions
- **Genre**: Action film, Science fiction film
- **Preceded By**: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
- **Followed By**: Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
- **Budget**: $270 million
- **Box Office**: $391 million
- **Runtime**: 127 minutes
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Language**: English
- **Music**: Composed by John Ottman
- **Cinematography**: Newton Thomas Sigel
- **Studio**: Warner Bros. Pictures
- **Based On**: DC Comics character Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
- **Awards**: Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film (2007)
- **Sequel**: Superman: Man of Steel (unproduced)
- **Prequel**: Superman (1978)
- **Cast**: Brandon Routh, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Eva Marie Saint, Sam Huntington, and Tristan Lake Leabu

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Superman Returns?**  
The film follows Superman's return to Earth after a five-year absence, confronting Lex Luthor's plot to destroy the planet and rekindling his relationship with Lois Lane.

**How does Superman Returns relate to other Superman films?**  
It serves as a sequel to Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), ignoring events from Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987).

**What was the critical and commercial reception of Superman Returns?**  
The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its visual style and performances but criticism for pacing and plot. It underperformed commercially compared to its budget but still grossed $391 million worldwide.

**Who composed the music for Superman Returns?**  
John Ottman composed the score, incorporating John Williams' iconic Superman theme.

**What awards did Superman Returns win?**  
It won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2007.

## Why It Matters
Superman Returns revitalized the Superman film franchise after a 19-year hiatus, reintroducing the character to modern audiences. It influenced subsequent superhero films, emphasizing emotional depth and character development. The film's visual effects and homage to the original Superman movies contributed to its cultural significance, despite its mixed reception. It also highlighted the challenges of rebooting iconic franchises, serving as a precursor to later DC Extended Universe films.

## Notable For
- **Revival of the Superman Franchise**: First Superman film since 1987, reimagining the character for contemporary audiences.
- **Homage to Classic Superman Films**: Direct sequel to Superman II, ignoring later installments.
- **Visual Effects**: Groundbreaking CGI and action sequences, including the "Plane Rescue" scene.
- **Brandon Routh's Debut as Superman**: Routh's performance was praised for its similarity to Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal.
- **Mixed Reception**: Highlighted the challenges of balancing nostalgia with modern storytelling in superhero films.
- **Cultural Impact**: Contributed to the resurgence of superhero films in the 2000s, paving the way for the DC Extended Universe.

## Body

### Production and Release
Superman Returns was directed by Bryan Singer, known for *The Usual Suspects* and the *X-Men* series. Produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Legendary Pictures, DC Comics, and Bad Hat Harry Productions, the film was released on June 28, 2006, in the United States. With a budget of $270 million, it grossed $391 million worldwide, falling short of expectations but still achieving commercial success.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Brandon Routh as Superman/Kal-El/Clark Kent, Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor, and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Supporting cast includes James Marsden as Richard White, Frank Langella as Perry White, Parker Posey as Kitty Kowalski, Eva Marie Saint as Martha Kent, Sam Huntington as Jimmy Olsen, and Tristan Lake Leabu as Jason White. Routh's performance was notable for its homage to Christopher Reeve's iconic portrayal.

### Plot and Themes
The story follows Superman's return to Earth after a five-year journey to find the remnants of Krypton. He confronts Lex Luthor's scheme to destroy Earth using Kryptonian crystals and navigates his complicated relationship with Lois Lane, who has moved on with her life. Themes of identity, responsibility, and redemption are central to the narrative.

### Music and Cinematography
John Ottman composed the score, incorporating John Williams' iconic Superman theme. Newton Thomas Sigel handled cinematography, blending practical and CGI effects to create visually stunning action sequences, such as the "Plane Rescue" scene.

### Legacy and Impact
Superman Returns received mixed reviews, with critics praising its visual style and performances but criticizing its pacing and plot. It won the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film in 2007. The film's reception highlighted the challenges of rebooting iconic franchises, influencing subsequent superhero films to balance nostalgia with modern storytelling. Despite its flaws, it played a role in revitalizing the Superman franchise and contributing to the broader resurgence of superhero films in the 2000s.

### Preceded and Followed By
- **Preceded By**: *Superman IV: The Quest for Peace* (1987)
- **Followed By**: *Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut* (2006), an alternate version of the 1980 film
- **Unproduced Sequel**: *Superman: Man of Steel* (canceled)

### Connected Entities
- **Warner Bros. Entertainment**: American entertainment company founded in 1923, serving as a production and distribution partner.
- **Legendary Pictures**: American media company founded in 2000, co-producing the film.
- **DC Comics**: American comic book publisher and subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, providing the source material.
- **Bryan Singer**: American film director, known for *The Usual Suspects* and the *X-Men* series, who directed and produced the film.
- **Superman in Film**: A series of film adaptations of the DC Comics superhero, with *Superman Returns* serving as a sequel to the 1978–1987 series.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 127 minutes
- **Language**: English
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Budget**: $270 million
- **Box Office**: $391 million
- **Music**: Composed by John Ottman
- **Cinematography**: Newton Thomas Sigel

### Cultural and Historical Context
Released in 2006, *Superman Returns* reflected the growing trend of superhero films in the 2000s, following the success of *X-Men* (2000) and *Spider-Man* (2002). It attempted to balance nostalgia for the original Superman films with modern cinematic techniques, setting a precedent for future reboots and sequels in the genre. The film's exploration of Superman's vulnerability and humanity resonated with post-9/11 audiences, emphasizing themes of hope and resilience.

## References

1. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. The Movie Database
4. Superman Returns. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [Source](http://www.sfi.se/sv/svensk-filmdatabas/Item/?itemid=63304&type=MOVIE&iv=Basic)
7. [Source](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=superman06.htm)
8. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/releaseinfo)
9. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/locations?ref_=tt_dt_dt)
10. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/parentalguide)
11. [Source](http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2006/07/02/a-flying-leap.html)
12. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0348150/)
13. Kinopoisk
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/parentalguide/#certificates)
15. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/superman-returns/)
16. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
17. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=47356.html)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/115721)
20. Online-Filmdatenbank
21. [Source](https://jmkextern.bmb.gv.at/app/detail.aspx?FILID=16164)
22. Bechdel Test Movie List
23. mymovies.it
24. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/68DD-341E-03EE-4BB8-1761-Q)
25. Danish Film Database
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28. FilmVandaag.nl