LOS ANGELES − Come summer 2006, Warner Brothers Pictures hopes to usher “Superman” into thousands of theaters after a 19-year absence. But given the tortured history surrounding that studio’s attempts to revive “Superman,” the forerunner of Hollywood’s now-ubiquitous comic-book blockbusters, the Man of Steel’s arrival would be nothing short of a miracle. Since Warner began developing a remake of the successful comic-book franchise in 1993, it has spent nearly $10 million in development, employed no fewer than 10 writers, hired four directors and met with scores of Clark Kent hopefuls without settling on one. The latest director ⎯ Bryan Singer, who directed “X-Men” and its sequel, was named on July 18 to replace Joseph McGinty Nichol, known as McG, who left the project after refusing to board a plane to Australia, where the studio was determined to make the film.

(THE NEW YORK TIMES, JULY 22, 2004)

According to the passage, Superman’s arrival