Claim: Steel (1997 film) features Shaquille O'Neal as John Henry Irons.

Steel is a 1997 American superhero action film based on the DC Comics character Steel . The film stars Shaquille O'Neal as John Henry Irons and his alter-ego Steel , Annabeth Gish as his wheelchair-using partner Susan Sparks , and Judd Nelson as their rival Nathaniel Burke . The plot centers on an accident caused by Burke which leaves Sparks paralyzed . The accident results in Irons quitting his job . Burke begins mass-producing weapons and selling them to criminals . In order to stop Burke , Irons and Sparks create a suit of armor that leads Irons to become the superhero Steel .   Written and directed by Kenneth Johnson , the film separates itself from the comic book series -LRB- and John Henry Irons ' status as a supporting character of Superman -RRB- by using original protagonists and antagonists . On its initial release , Steel was a box office bust and was panned by critics , noting the `` cheesiness '' and bad acting in the film .