Superman: The Man of Steel

Superman: The Man of Steel is a cancelled sequel to the 2006 film Superman Returns. It would have Brandon Routh reprising his role as Clark Kent/Superman. All of the other cast members would return as well. Bryan Singer was going to direct again after working on Returns.

Plot
Sometime after the events of Returns, Superman finds out that Brainiac followed him to Earth after Krypton exploded.

Why It Was Cancelled

 * 1) Superman Returns was a box office disappointment despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics and audiences.
 * 2) The release date was delayed from 2009 to 2010 due to the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike.
 * 3) Bryan Singer went on to direct Jack the Giant Slayer.
 * 4) Brandon Routh's contract to reprise his role as Clark Kent/Superman for a Superman Returns sequel expired in 2009.

Results

 * Warner Brothers hit the reset button and made the 2013 film Man of Steel.
 * The sequel was permanently cancelled.
 * Superman Returns is a stand-alone film.
 * The closest there has ever been to a Superman Returns sequel was a tie-in video game that took place after the movie and saw some of the cast returning.
 * Brandon Routh played the same incarnation of the character in the Arrowverse.