You're close, Mxy.
Producer John Peters came up with idiotic ideas before Burton.
Peters wanted Supes to be played by Sean Penn... and wanted Supes to have the "heart and soul of a killer" and touch on his dark side... or somesuch nonsense.
He also told Kevin Smith to have Brainiac fight Polar Bears... throw in a giant spider in the 3rd act (bastard got his way in Wild Wild West)... And have a gay robot as Brainiac's sidekick (the robot was JLA character L-Ron!)... He also didn't want Superman to wear a cape or fly.
Kev had this great character building scene taking place between Lois and Supes on Mt. Rushmore... WB execs didn't want it in, cause they just wanted to make the movie to make a crapload of money on merchandise...
Burton then came along. He hates comic books. He seems to be proud of it, too... He introduced seeing Superman's inner organs in his costume, I think.
He threw out Smith's script soon after that. I forget what other bullshit he proposes...
Which is why I'm worried for the upcoming Superman flick, if it does get made.
