Steel (film)

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Original movie poster

Steel is the name of a 1997 movie starring Shaquille O'Neal and Annabeth Gish. It is a science fiction action-hero movie based on the DC Comics character of the same name. The movie (released on August 15) was considered a flop both critically and financially. Steel was produced for an estimated $16,000,000 but grossed $1,686,429 at the box office.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

John Henry Irons designs weapons for the military. When his project to create weapons that harmlessly neutralize soldiers is sabotaged, he leaves in disgust. When he sees gangs are using his weapons on the street, he uses his brains and his Uncle Joe's junkyard know-how to fight back against the man whose been selling them to those gangs...Nathaniel Burke. To do this, he becomes a real man of "steel."

[edit] Trivia

During the scene at the railroad where John Henry Irons chases after a thug, a broken down fence has graffiti that resembles the written alien language from Alien Nation. Kenneth Johnson, who directed this movie, also directed several Alien Nation TV movies.

Shaquille O'Neal is alleged to have done all of his own stunts since the producers were unable to find a 7'1" stunt double for him. This is, however, disputed.

In the Steel comic book, John Henry Irons was directly inspired by Superman when Superman saved his life (both literally and metaphorically). Since then, John Henry Irons sports Superman's shield as a homage to the Man of Steel. In the movie, the existence of Superman is almost completely avoided. However, John Henry Irons is still related to Superman (albeit more subtly) via his tattoo (a genuine tattoo that Shaquille O'Neal sports as he's an avid Superman fan), and a single line said to John by his uncle saying "You ain't Superman!"

Susan Sparks is based on the DC Comics character Oracle with the wheelchair and intelligence.

[edit] External links

Superman in popular media
Actors:	Bud Collyer • Kirk Alyn • George Reeves • Danny Dark • Christopher Reeve • Beau Weaver • John Haymes Newton • Gerard Christopher • Dean Cain • Timothy Daly • Tom Welling • George Newbern • Brandon Routh
Film:	Superman (1948) • Atom Man vs. Superman • Superman and the Mole Men • Superman (1978) • Superman II • Superman III • Supergirl • Superman IV: The Quest for Peace • Superman Returns • Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut
Television:	Adventures of Superman • Superboy • Lois & Clark • Smallville • Look, Up in the Sky!
Animation:	1940s cartoons • The New Adventures of Superman • Superman • Superman: The Animated Series • Legion of Super Heroes
Other media:	Radio • Broadway Theater • Newspaper Strips