Before Spider-Man, Sam Raimi Tried (And Failed) To Make Two Superhero Movies Sam Raimi's name has become synonymous with the wildly successful Spider-Man trilogy he directed in the early 2000s. However, the acclaimed filmmaker's journey to bringing Marvel's iconic web-slinger to the big screen was a long and arduous one, filled with several failed attempts to adapt other, lesser-known superheroes. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Raimi was already an established horror director, having helmed cult classics like The Evil Dead and its sequels. During this time, he set his sights on two separate superhero properties, both of which would ultimately fail to materialize. The first was an adaptation of the Marvel character Darkman, a disfigured scientist who seeks revenge on the criminals who attacked him. Raimi had initially pitched the idea to Universal Pictures in 1989, envisioning it as a darker, more violent take on the superhero genre. The studio greenlit the project, and Raimi began developing the film with his regular collaborators, including his brother Ivan Raimi and producer Robert Tapert. However, the road to bringing Darkman to the screen was far from smooth. Universal executives were reportedly uneasy with the film's darker themes and graphic violence, which clashed with the studio's family-friendly image at the time. There were also concerns about the viability of a superhero film starring an unknown character, as opposed to an established Marvel icon like Spider-Man or the X-Men. Despite Raimi's passion for the project and his efforts to balance the film's gritty tone with more mainstream appeal, Universal ultimately refused to provide the necessary budget and creative freedom he needed. Raimi was forced to compromise on his original vision, and the resulting film, released in 1990, was a moderate critical and commercial success, but fell short of the director's ambitious aspirations. Undeterred by the Darkman experience, Raimi soon set his sights on another superhero property: The Crow, based on the popular independent comic book series. In the early 1990s, Raimi and his producing partner, Robert Tapert, acquired the film rights to The Crow and began developing a big-screen adaptation. Unlike Darkman, which Raimi had created from scratch, The Crow already had a dedicated fan base and a distinct visual style that the director hoped to capture on the silver screen. Raimi envisioned a gritty, stylized take on the story of a man who is resurrected to avenge his and his fiancée's brutal murders. However, the project hit a major roadblock in 1993 when the film's star, Brandon Lee, was tragically killed in a freak on-set accident. The production was immediately shut down, and Raimi and his team were forced to regroup and rethink their approach. They ultimately decided to move forward with the project, with a different actor, but the momentum and excitement surrounding the film had been irreparably damaged. Despite Raimi's best efforts, The Crow film languished in development hell for several more years, with various directors and actors attached at different points. It wasn't until 1994, when the film was finally released under the direction of Alex Proyas, that The Crow saw the light of day. While the final product received critical acclaim and found a devoted cult following, Raimi's involvement in the project had long since faded. These two failed superhero attempts were undoubtedly frustrating for Raimi, who had demonstrated a natural affinity for the genre and a keen eye for visual storytelling. However, the lessons he learned from these experiences would ultimately prove invaluable when he finally got the chance to direct Spider-Man in 2002. The success of the Spider-Man trilogy, which grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide and cemented Raimi's reputation as a master of the superhero genre, is a testament to the director's perseverance and his ability to learn from past setbacks. While Darkman and The Crow may not have achieved the same level of acclaim, they played a crucial role in shaping Raimi's approach to superhero filmmaking and paved the way for his eventual triumph with Marvel's most iconic character. In the end, Raimi's journey to Spider-Man serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring filmmakers, highlighting the importance of persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from one's mistakes. It's a story that not only illuminates the director's own creative evolution but also underscores the unpredictable and often challenging nature of the entertainment industry as a whole.