Superman almost returned to the animated format in the movie adaptation of one of the character’s most acclaimed and popular stories from the comics, Kingdom Come. Unfortunately, the project was ultimately scrapped at DC Studios.

Warner Bros. Pictures and DC have amazed fans with animated movies and series for a very long time now, in occasions even offering better stories than the ones made for the live-action format. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash and many heroes from the comic book company have taken some of their most famous arcs from the pages to the screen, delivering amazing experiences for the fans.

When it comes to the Man of Steel, there are many stories that are legendary enough to generate enormous anticipation from moviegoers, even if it is as an animated project, but few may be as popular as Kingdom Come. Created by writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross, Kingdom Come has become one of the most iconic arcs from the company.

The story presents a world after Superman retires, leading to a new generation of superheroes to take control. But this new group of heroes doesn’t share the same values that have always characterized the Man of Steel, and are extremely violent, applying their own brand of vigilante justice. After a powerful threat puts the planet in danger, Superman returns, but his differences with the new team are so big that it won’t be easy to find a good way to work with each other.

Related: Wonder Woman 3 Now Being Developed for the DCU With Gal Gadot & James Gunn

Butch Lekic Reveals Why Kingdom Come Adaptation Won’t Happen For Now
DC Comics

DC and Warner Bros. Animation are getting ready to present a new animated adventure to the world with Justice League: Warworld, a movie that continues the story presented in Legion of Super-Heroes and as a part of the arc that started in 2020 with Superman: Man of Tomorrow. And they really wanted to adapt Kingdom Come after.

While speaking with ScreenRant, producer Butch Lekic revealed why they couldn’t take Waid and Ross story to the screen, while also sharing his hope for it to be adapted in the future:

“We originally talked about Kingdom Come after this, but changing regimes, we couldn’t go forward with anything like that. They might incorporate it in the future with the New World, but that was one that we talked about as an obvious possibility to continue. Not this continuity, but something more Justice League and larger. Again, it’s personal and individual stuff that I would like to do, and I like the one comic book or two comic book issue stories. I think adapting graphic novels, there’s too much in there. Whereas if you just take two of the miniseries stuff, you can make a better story.”

James Gunn recently announced that animation will play a major part in the future of the franchise, so many iconic stories such as Kingdom Come could soon be coming to the screen within the new DCU. For now, fans will be able to enjoy a new adventure of the Man of Steel on Superman: Legacy, the first official project of the new canon.