Summary
Enough time has passed sinceSteel’s abysmal release to warrant anotherDCmovie attempt. From 1951’sSuperman and the Mole Mento Tim Burton’sBatman, Richard Donner’sSuperman, and Christopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogy,DC movies released before the DCEUand the DCU mostly focused on the company’s two most famous superheroes, Batman and Superman. Some exceptions to this rule were 1982’sSwamp Thingand its 1989 sequelThe Return of Swamp Thing, as well as 2005’sConstantine, 2010’sJonah Hex, and 2011’sGreen Lantern.
In other cases, non-franchise standalone DC movies centered around characters who are closely related to Batman and Superman; for instance, 1984’sSupergirl, 2004’sCatwoman, andthe biggest box office bomb in DC movie history: 1997’sSteel, starring NBA Hall of Fame star Shaquille O’Neal.Steelfollows the hero John Henry Irons, who creates a suit of armor to stop a weapons manufacturer, not unlike the plot of Marvel’sIron Man. Despite its atrocious box office and critical reception, Steel may still have potential for another live-action adaptation on the big or the small screen.
Steel (1997) Is The Lowest-Earning Theatrical DC Movie Of All Time
Steel Holds Low Box Office Records 27 Years Later
Steelearned most of its box office during its opening weekend, which is a bad omen for any theatrical release, especially considering the amount: $870,000.Steel’s earnings dropped an astounding 78% on its second weekend in theaters — a record it shares with 2023’sThe Marvels. And by the end of its theatrical run,Steelonly gathered $1.7 - $1.8 million worldwideon a $16 million budget, around six times less than DC’s second-biggest box office bomb, 2010’sJonah Hex. Check out the top five worst-performing live-action DC movies of all time:
$80,000,000
$36,700,000
$14,000,000
$11,000,000
Steel
$1,800,000
Steeldidn’t perform any better critically, and it hasn’t earned any cult cred in recent years, as other flops likeBatman ForeverandBatman & Robinactually have.In fact,Steelseems to be aging poorly, as new negative reviews made in recent years have shown. As of 2024,Steelholds an 8% Tomatometer score and a 19% Audience Score onRotten Tomatoes. Shaquille O’Neal’s performance, a superficial script, unambitious direction, anda lack of comic accuracy in Steel’s origin storyare some of the criticisms that explainSteel’s failure with critics and general audiences.
The only other time Steel has been adapted in live-action has been inSuperman & Lois, where an initially villainous, alternate-universe John Henry Irons is played by Wolé Parks.
Why Steel Deserves Another Movie
Steel Is Among Superman’s Most Heroic Allies And Successors
Steel’s 1997 movie adaptation may not have made a good case for his live-action potential, but John Henry Irons' comic book history proves he can still star in a well-made movie or show. Steel first appeared in 1993’sThe Adventures of Superman#500and began his superhero journey during the famous storylineThe Death of Superman, where Superman saved John Henry Irons' life and encouraged him to be a hero. After Doomsday killed Superman, John Henry picked up a sledgehammer and designed a suit of armor inspired by the Man of Steel, becoming the superhero Steel and setting out to uphold Superman’s legacy.
Steel and Superman have become close friends and joined forces multiple times.
Steel became such a virtuous and talented hero that he quickly emerged as Superman’s best successor, beating Superboy, Cyborg Superman, and Eradicator — all of whom were more powerful than Steel but lacked the selfless qualities that made Superman the world’s best hero. Once Superman came back to life, Steel received his blessing to continue working as a superhero. Since then, Steel and Superman have become close friends and joined forces multiple times, and Steel has even earned a spot in certain iterations of the Justice League due to his brilliant intellect, his sheer power, and his selflessness.
Why The Time Is Right For Another Steel Movie
It’s Now Easier For Lesser-Known Superheroes To Become A-List Characters Than Ever Before
Characters like Steel had very few opportunities to succeed back in 1997. One failed attempt at a live-action adaptation and their chances were gone. Fortunately, things have changed in recent years with the advent of the MCU, the DCEU, and the DCU. The massive success of properties likeIron Man,The Avengers, andAquamanhas led to the rise in popularity of the previously unfamiliarGuardians of the GalaxyandSuicide Squad.Nowadays, Marvel characters like Groot and DC characters like Peacemaker can reach the same levels of popularity as A-list heroes like Captain America and Superman.
DCU Slate Turns 5 Dreams Into A Reality… Finally
From a live-action Bat Family to a Green Lanterns TV show, here are five DC dreams that are turning into a reality in the DCU’s Chapter 1.
Incidentally, James Gunn is partly responsible for this change, as Gunn helmed the MCU’sGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy and directed bothThe Suicide SquadandPeacemaker, which directly led to his role as DC Studios CEO. Now overseeing the entire DCU, James Gunn is ensuring that characters who haven’t had the chance to shine receive their time in the limelight, withupcoming projects in the DCU’s slatesuch asCreature CommandosandThe Authority.Given that there are many DCU projects yet to be announced, aSteelreboot set in the DCU could redeem John Henry Irons 30 years after the hero’s disastrous movie flop.
