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Comic books serve as the inspiration for some of the most popular movies and TV shows in history. They are a powerful medium that has the potential to inspire and entertain a wide range of audiences. One of the unique aspects of comic books is their ability to explore scenarios that would be impossible to recreate on screen. This includes outlandish crossovers like “King Kong” meeting “Planet of the Apes.” Interestingly, there was a point when a DC and “Star Wars” crossover was almost a reality. Let’s delve into why this intriguing project never came to fruition.
To provide some background, in 2017, writer Kurt Busiek disclosed on Twitter that he was collaborating with renowned artist Alex Ross on a “Superman/Star Wars” crossover. However, the project was eventually shelved due to disagreements among the decision-makers.
“Alex Ross and I were prepared to execute a SUPERMAN/STAR WARS crossover, but the involved corporations couldn’t reach a consensus on the division of profits,” Busiek revealed. He also shared a concept sketch of Superman battling Darth Vader (visible above), labeling the Superman/Star Wars project as “dead.”
Fast forward to a recent Tampa Bay Comic Convention, where Dan DiDio, former DC publisher, discussed this proposed crossover. Although the exact timeline remains unclear, it’s known that Marvel Comics acquired the “Star Wars” license in 2015 after Disney purchased Lucasfilm. DiDio confirmed that the crossover proposal did reach his desk.
“I was presented with a DC Universe and Star Wars crossover proposal. There was a dispute over what was permissible and what was not, who would have the upper hand, and who would get the heroic moment… it simply wasn’t worth the hassle.”
Could a Superman vs. Star Wars crossover be feasible?
Marvel Comics
DiDio held the position of co-publisher at DC Comics from 2010 until 2020, working alongside Jim Lee, who was later named President of DC Comics in 2023. This proposed crossover likely occurred during DiDio’s tenure with Lee. During that period, Dark Horse Comics was publishing “Star Wars” comics, holding the license from the early ’90s until it returned to Marvel in 2015, notably before Disney’s involvement.
Despite these circumstances, it appears that corporate disagreements hindered the project. Crossovers are often complex due to the vested interests of each party in their respective franchises. For instance, if Superman were to defeat Darth Vader, would Lucasfilm approve? Probably not. Similarly, if Darth Vader were to sever Superman’s arm with his lightsaber, would DC approve? Unlikely. Hence, every detail must be meticulously negotiated, which is why a Marvel/DC crossover is unlikely to occur in live-action. DiDio further explained that the creator, presumably Busiek and/or Ross, was quite upset when the project fell through.
“The creator who initiated the deal and brought it to us was very upset. I simply didn’t want to proceed at that time, as it didn’t seem logical.”
DiDio implied that the crossover didn’t make business sense. But would it have made narrative sense? Superman, an alien from Krypton, and the “Star Wars” universe, set “a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away,” would be a challenging blend. However, comic books have seen stranger crossovers. Nonetheless, this remains a hypothetical scenario as Marvel and DC are unlikely to pursue such a project now.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
