Nicolas Cage's Surprise Superman Cameo in The Flash

Andy Muschietti, the director of The Flash, has confirmed that Superman will make an appearance in the upcoming DC movie starring Ezra Miller. However, it may come as a surprise to fans that the role of Superman will be played by Nicolas Cage, rather than the expected Henry Cavill.

Interestingly, Cage has a long history with the Man of Steel, having been cast in the lead role in the canceled film Superman Lives. Kevin Smith originally wrote the script for the film in the 1990s, with Tim Burton set to direct and Cage taking on the iconic character. Despite entering pre-production and setting production dates, the film ultimately faced several issues and was ultimately scrapped, leaving Cage without the opportunity to play Superman in a live-action project.

However, in an interview with Esquire Middle East, Muschietti revealed that Cage will finally get to play Superman in The Flash. While the details of Cage's appearance as Superman have not been disclosed, Muschietti praised the actor's work ethic despite his limited role. "Nic [Cage] was absolutely wonderful," Muschietti said. "Although it was a cameo role, he fully embraced it." Muschietti also revealed that he enlisted Cage to play Superman because he is a fan of the actor. "I've dreamt of working with him my whole life. He's a massive Superman fan and comic book fanatic. I hope to work with him again soon," Muschietti added.

Although Cage previously voiced Superman in the animated movie Teen Titans Go in 2018, The Flash marks his first live-action portrayal of the character. Arrowverse producer Marc Guggenheim had approached Cage to play Superman in The CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event, which featured several actors from past and present DC projects. Despite this, Cage's appearance never materialized for reasons that remain unknown. Guggenheim had previously noted that some actors turned down offers to appear in Crisis on Infinite Earths due to either scheduling conflicts or the network's inability to afford them. It is unclear if either of these reasons applied to Cage's situation.

Cage's casting as Superman had sparked controversy at the time. While Burton had argued that Cage could effectively portray an otherworldly character, some fans were not convinced that he could capture the traditional superhero's iconic square-jawed, muscular appearance. However, Cage has since won over audiences with his dynamic performances and penchant for scene-stealing roles, such as his portrayal of Dracula in Renfield. It is possible that a Superman movie starring Cage would have garnered greater interest from modern moviegoers.

Regardless, audiences will have the long-awaited chance to see Nicolas Cage in the iconic role of Superman in The Flash, after more than two decades of anticipation. While some may have preferred to see Henry Cavill reprise the role, others are excited to witness Cage's interpretation of the Man of Steel. The Flash is set to hit theaters on June 16, 2023.