1) Batman V Superman – Andrew Kevin Walker
About the number one spot – I never had any doubts: this Batman V Superman script, written by Se7en scribe Andrew Kevin Walker, is by far the most intriguing shelved movie script I have ever read. Ever.
And maybe this is because I like superhero films, particularly Batman (and the smiling villain he sometimes faces off with.) But it makes no difference. Because really, is there anything more iconic superhero-wise than Batman and Superman facing off against the Joker and Lex Luthor? Not to me.
So when I first got my hands on this script, codenamed “Asylum,” I had an extremely pleasant few hours, to say the least. It’s the fantastic story we all have an idea about, with the vision of an amazing writer.
Basically a gritty version of The World’s Finest animated movie, the script has the two superheroes fight the Joker and Lex Luthor. And yes, they do fight each other as well. The only thing I didn’t like is the fact that Walker decided to put the wrong villain above the other. Seriously, it should be the other way around. But that’s just me.
Like so many others, this script never got filmed. The studio decided not to make it. And as depressing as that is to hear – because the story is that entertaining – I do understand why they chose not to. This was before Batman Begins, at a time when Warner and DC were trying to launch their superhero franchises, and Walker’s screenplay, as good as it might be, just didn’t fit their plans.
Perhaps the biggest reason for it not to be made is that it’s just too gritty. I mean, Alfred is dead and Lois Lane has divorced the Man of Steel. What!?
It might’ve been a fantastic solo film, but for a studio that was looking to launch a long-spanning superhero universe, it just didn’t work. And maybe it’s for the best. After all, we got the Dark Knight trilogy, didn’t we?
If you’re into superhero stuff, or unproduced scripts in general, you should definitely check this one out.
You can thank me later.