Ratner officially flies away from SUPERMAN

Director to concentrate on developing RUSH HOUR sequel

By Patrick Sauriol     March 20, 2003
Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter

Director Brett Ratner has made it official: he's no longer involved with Warner Bros. SUPERMAN. Releasing a statement to the industry trade magazines, Ratner said "The difficulty of casting the role of Superman has contributed to my decision. I appreciate the efforts of Warner Bros. and the entire production team during this process."

Coming Attractions was first told that Ratner may be thinking about departing the project two months ago, and that Warner Bros. was putting together a list of possible replacement directors. Things only proceeded to worsen, with the studio, Ratner and producer Jon Peters unable to find their new Man of Steel. Things finally reached breaking point when Ratner's option to direct the film with the studio expired last Saturday, freeing him to focus his energy on developing RUSH HOUR 3.

The two remaining top candidates for Superman, actors Brendan Fraser and Matthew Bomer, have apparently been informed their services will no longer be required. Save for J.J. Abrams script, which was in the process of being rewritten, it truly appears that the project has collapsed upon itself for a second time.

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