Christopher McQuarrie reveals details of unmade Epic MAN OF STEEL 2

Director Christopher McQuarrie gave some insight into his exciting and ambitious plans for Man of Steel 2 and Green Lantern, which would have expanded the DC Universe.

Back in 2018, soon after Mission: Impossible – Fallout hit theaters, McQuarrie expressed interest in directing back-to-back movies for Green Lantern and Superman. For Superman, he wanted to take the mantle for Man of Steel 2 after Zack Snyder’s stint in the DCEU, hoping to collaborate again with Henry Cavill, who played the duplicitous CIA assassin August Walker.

When asked about his Superman approach, McQuarrie kept things mysterious but emphasized how exceptional his vision was. He shared that the idea for Green Lantern struck him and that he thoroughly enjoyed crafting a reimagined take on the character. Rather than focusing on the hero’s invincibility, he chose to add depth by exploring his vulnerability and the limitations of the power ring that needed regular recharging. McQuarrie believed that leveraging this unique aspect could solve the recurrent challenges faced in bringing Green Lantern to life on the big screen, demonstrating a deep understanding of the character.

In considering the difficulty of creating distinctive costumes for these iconic heroes, McQuarrie prioritized building rich character arcs over trivial details like attire. Both Superman and Green Lantern faced similar dilemmas in his vision, allowing for intriguing character conflicts and the potential for a broader, interconnected universe.

Despite Warner Bros.’ interest in seeing McQuarrie tackle Man of Steel 2 when Henry Cavill returned for a cameo in Black Adam, the opportunity never materialized. James Gunn subsequently took on the Superman mantle, leading to the reinvigoration of the DC Universe under DC Studios co-CEO J.J. Abrams, effectively waving away any hopes of McQuarrie’s envisioned projects.

While McQuarrie refrained from revealing too much about his plans, he tantalized readers with a glimpse of how his Superman movie would have started out, comparing it to the emotion-packed opening sequence of Pixar’s Up. He painted a picture of a groundbreaking film with profound storytelling and an epic scope that promised something truly exceptional.

Now that McQuarrie has closed the chapter on the Mission: Impossible franchise, fans can’t help but speculate about the possibility of him trying his hand at another superhero project, keeping hope alive that one day his innovative visions for the DC Universe may come to fruition.