Superman Lives! That’s the title of the scrapped movie that would have starred Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel back in the late 1990s. But now, 25 years later, Cage has finally fulfilled his lifelong dream of playing Superman in The Flash movie.

The Flash director Andy Muschietti confirmed the shocking cameo in an interview with Esquire Middle East[^1^][2]. He said that Cage was “absolutely wonderful” and that he “dove into” the role, even though it was a brief appearance.

But how did Cage end up playing Superman in The Flash movie? And what can we expect from his version of the iconic hero? Here’s everything you need to know about Nicolas Cage’s Superman cameo.

How Nicolas Cage became Superman

Nicolas Cage is a huge fan of Superman. He even named his son Kal-El, which is Superman’s birth name on his home planet of Krypton. Cage was cast as Superman in Tim Burton’s Superman Lives, which was supposed to be a dark and edgy take on the character.

However, the project was plagued by creative differences, budget issues, and studio interference. It was eventually canceled in 1998, after years of development and pre-production. Cage never got to wear the Superman suit on screen, although some photos and footage of his costume tests have surfaced online over the years.

Cage later voiced Superman in the animated movie Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, which was a comedic parody of superhero films. But he still wanted to play a live-action version of Superman someday.

That opportunity came when Muschietti approached him for The Flash movie, which explores the DC multiverse and features different versions of heroes from various timelines and realities. Muschietti said that he had always dreamed of working with Cage and that he was thrilled to have him on board.

What to expect from Nicolas Cage’s Superman cameo

The Flash movie follows Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), who uses his super-speed to travel back in time and prevent his mother’s murder. However, this creates a ripple effect that alters the course of history and creates a new world where things are not as they seem.

In this world, Barry meets an alternate version of himself, as well as two different versions of Batman: one played by Michael Keaton, who returns to his role from Tim Burton’s Batman movies; and one played by Ben Affleck, who reprises his role from Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

But Batman is not the only hero who has multiple versions in the multiverse. Muschietti revealed that Nicolas Cage will also appear as Superman in The Flash movie, although he did not specify which timeline or reality he belongs to.

It is possible that Cage’s Superman is based on his canceled Superman Lives movie, which would be a nod to his original casting and a tribute to Tim Burton’s vision. It is also possible that Cage’s Superman is a completely new interpretation of the character, with a different costume, personality, and backstory.

Either way, we can expect Cage’s Superman cameo to be a surprise for both Barry and the audience. Muschietti said that Cage’s role was “a cameo”, which implies that it will be a short but memorable scene. He also said that Cage “dove into” the role, which suggests that he will bring his trademark intensity and charisma to the screen.

Why Nicolas Cage’s Superman cameo matters

Nicolas Cage’s Superman cameo is more than just a fun Easter egg for comic book fans. It is also a testament to Cage’s passion and perseverance as an actor and a fan. He never gave up on his dream of playing Superman, even after facing disappointment and rejection for decades.

Cage’s cameo also shows how The Flash movie is embracing the concept of the multiverse and celebrating the diversity and richness of DC’s characters and stories. The movie is not only bringing back fan-favorite actors like Keaton and Affleck, but also giving new opportunities to actors like Cage who never got their chance to shine.

The Flash movie is expected to be a game-changer for the DC cinematic universe, as it will open up new possibilities and directions for future films and franchises. By featuring Nicolas Cage as Superman, The Flash movie is also honoring the past and paying respect to one of the most iconic and influential heroes of all time.