Synopsis

After spending five years searching the remains of Krypton, Superman returns to Earth and finds Metropolis changed. Lois Lane has moved on, raising a young son and engaged to another man, while Lex Luthor is pursuing a scheme that could reshape the planet. As Superman resumes his role as humanity's protector, he must confront both a dangerous enemy and the personal cost of his absence.

Factoids & Trivia

• Superman Returns was designed as a continuation of Superman and Superman II, while largely disregarding the events of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. Its release in 2006 marked the character's return to live-action feature films after a gap of nearly 20 years.

• The film became the world's first live-action Hollywood feature converted from 2D to IMAX 3D. The IMAX version was released simultaneously with the standard theatrical version.

• Superman Returns was one of the first major motion pictures filmed with Panavision's Genesis digital camera. The system allowed the production to shoot digitally while retaining a visual style intended to resemble traditional 35mm cinematography.

• John Ottman's score incorporates themes from John Williams' music for Superman: The Movie, including the familiar Superman fanfare. The decision helped connect the film to the earlier Christopher Reeve era.

• Brandon Routh met Bryan Singer at a coffee shop while being considered for the title role. During the meeting, Routh accidentally spilled hot coffee, an incident Singer later viewed as evidence that he could convincingly play the more awkward Clark Kent.

• Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen in the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman, appears as a bartender. The cameo links Superman Returns to the character's earlier screen history.

• The film's planned continuation was never produced. Its ending introduced a larger story involving Superman and Lois Lane's son, but the franchise was eventually rebooted with Man of Steel in 2013.