Claim: James Marsden appeared in a 2006 film.

Superman Returns is a 2006 American superhero film directed and produced by Bryan Singer . It is based on the DC Comics character Superman and serves as a homage sequel to the motion pictures Superman -LRB- 1978 -RRB- and Superman II -LRB- 1980 -RRB- , while ignoring the events of Superman III -LRB- 1983 -RRB- and Superman IV : The Quest for Peace -LRB- 1987 -RRB- . The film stars Brandon Routh as Clark Kent/Superman , Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane , Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor , with James Marsden , Frank Langella , and Parker Posey . The film tells the story of the title character returning to Earth after a five-year absence . He finds that his love interest Lois Lane has moved on with her life , and that his archenemy Lex Luthor is plotting a scheme that will destroy Superman and the world .   After a series of unsuccessful projects to resurrect Superman on screen following the critical failure and box office disappointment of Superman IV : The Quest For Peace -LRB- 1987 -RRB- , Warner Bros. hired Bryan Singer to direct and develop Superman Returns in July 2004 . The majority of principal photography took place at Fox Studios Australia , Sydney , while the visual effects sequences were created by a number of studios , including Sony Pictures Imageworks , Rhythm & Hues , Framestore , Rising Sun Pictures , and The Orphanage ; filming ended in November 2005 .   Upon release , Superman Returns received generally positive critical reviews , with critics praising its visual effects , story , musical score , and style . However , it received mixed reviews in later years , with criticism focused on its length , story , and lack of action sequences . While a box office success , Warner Bros. was disappointed with the worldwide box office return . A sequel was planned for a summer 2009 release , but the project was later canceled . The Superman film series was completely rebooted in 2013 with the film Man of Steel , directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill as Superman .