What if Tim Burton had directed a ‘90s Supergirl movie?

During the 1990s, fan-favourite director, Tim Burton, was heavily involved in a new Superman movie. The film – which would have starred Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel – was to be a wild affair which broke the norm from a traditional Superman picture.

Provisionally titled Superman Lives, the film went through a significant development phase during the ’90s, with Warner Bros spending millions on the project (Burton got $5m, Cage got $20m, etc). However, despite the efforts and the money that was pumped into pre-production, Superman Lives never came to fruition.  

But let’s just imagine for a moment that Burton didn’t attempt to make a Superman movie in the ‘90s, but instead he was hired to make a Supergirl movie and it made it onto the big screen. Who would he have cast, and why might it have been the following?

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Christina Ricci as Kara/Supergirl

First up, after thinking long and hard, and coming close to casting Helena Bonham Carter in the lead role, Burton ops for Christian Ricci instead. The Addams Family actress has the perfect mix of youth and kookiness for the part, and is on the rise thanks to her performance in Casper.

Following the release of the movie, Empire magazine call Ricci’s casting “inspired” and “a performance for the ages.” Burton agrees and casts Ricci in his next film, an adaptation of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

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Michael McKean as Zor-El

Playing the role of Supergirl’s father, Zor-El requires grit and gravitas. In Burton’s mind this can mean only one person: This Is Spinal Tap’s Michael McKean.  

It works. Audiences are blown away. 

The actor signs up for a nine-picture deal, with plans to return for various sequels and spinoffs, where he will appear as a Kryptonian hologram. The Hollywood Reporter claim it is “a deal of intergalactic proportions and could lead to the beginning of a comic book shared universe.”

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Catherine O’hara as Alura

With Zor-El’s casting in the bag, Burton turns to Beetlejuice actress, Catherine O’Hara to play Supergirl’s mother, Alura. He sees the McKean/O’Hara combination as the ideal pairing, and knows O’Hara has the maternal chops to pull off the part, thanks to her turn in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

O’Hara embraces the part wholeheartedly which proves to be a pivotal role in the film – particularly during the early scenes set in Argo City. There’s talk she will return for sequels, and maybe even a spin-off movie.

O’Hara calls Alura one of her favourite parts, and tells fans she played the role as if she was in a Shakespearean play. Her favourite moment was when she got to call Brainiac a “butt-munch”.

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Christopher Walken as Brainiac 

Multiple villains are required for Supergirl’s epic four-hour runtime, and chief amongst them is Brainiac. The character initially appears in scenes set in Argo City, before he reappears on Earth midway through the film.

For the role, Burton seeks an actor with a flair for the dramatic, who at the same time has an unpredictable edge. He also needs an actor who can deliver cold, somewhat robotic dialogue. 

Christopher Walken is the only choice for the role. Burton said, “If Chris didn’t accept we simply wouldn’t have a movie. Well, we’d have a movie, but it would be missing the dark soul.”

After accepting the part, a section of the script is re-written to incorporate a dance routine. Walken trains for six weeks to ensure Brainiac’s butterfly dance is perfect.

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Parker Posey as Livewire

Joining Braniac in the line-up of villains is recently created super foe, Livewire. The character has appeared on Superman: The Animated Series, and has just started to appear in the comics, and Burton believes she would be an ideal fit for the story.

Livewire’s electokinesis powers are featured during a huge battle in National City, which sees Supergirl temporarily incapacitated. It’s a landmark stunt scene involving pyrotechnics.

Parker Posey is cast in the role, after Annette Bening is forced to drop out. Sean Young reportedly lobbied for the part, even going so far as to turn up at Burton’s office with a homemade electric shock device strapped to her arms, but Burton had already cast Posey.

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Mira Sorvino as Silver Banshee

Appearing briefly in the movie, during the battle in National City, is super villain Silver Banshee. The character joins Livewire in an attempt to take down Supergirl.

The role is small, yet memorable. Burton casts Mira Sorvino, having been a fan of her work – particularly her Oscar-winning turn in Mighty Aphrodite.

Following the release of the film, Mira Sorvino appears on MTV’s TRL. She tells Carson Daly she loved playing the role of Silver Banshee and compared it to the euphoria of winning an Academy Award.

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Crispin Glover as Lex Luthor 

Rounding out the movie’s villains is Lex Luthor, who appears at various points during the story. Luthor is described as stern and a little creepy.

Burton casts Back to the Future actor, Crispin Glover. The actor refuses to shave his head for the role and Luthor sports long black hair with a centre parting.

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Sean Penn as Superman 

Although the Supergirl movie is largely about the Maid of Might, there is room for a brief cameo for Superman. He appears towards the end of the film, to tell Supergirl how proud he is of her – especially the way she handled Brainiac, following his energetic dance routine.

Burton has an interest in directing a Superman movie in the future, so looks to an actor who he believes can become the defining Superman of the ’90s. He chooses Sean Penn.

Penn is indeed excellent, but following his brief cameo in Supergirl he decides to move onto other projects. Burton recasts the role for future films, with Nicolas Cage taking the part.

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Michael Keaton as Batman 

And finally, popping up in a very brief cameo (even briefer than Superman) is the Dark Knight himself, Batman. And of course, there can only be one Caped Crusader in a Tim Burton movie, and it’s Michael Keaton.

Reprising the role from Batman and Batman Returns, Keaton agrees to put on the cape and cowl under the belief he’ll return for further appearances in future DC movies, even going so far as filming the next project, with Batgirl. Sadly, after 90% of the movie is in the can, Warner Bros. scrap the film as part of a tax write-off, leaving a bitter taste in Keaton’s mouth.

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