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Kryptonite? try celluloid. Recent weeks have seen the Man of Steel's attempts to continue his big-screen career- in a standalone sequel to 2006's "Superman Returns" and as team leader of DC's all-star "Justice League"-hit signifigant turbulence. "League," which was to be helmed by australian George Miller (Mad Max), is Warner Bros.' attempt to ignite interest in their extensive library of DC characters, including the Martian Manhunter, Flash and Wonder Woman. A script by Michele and Kiernan Mulroney enthused execs over the summer, but a january deadline to green-light the production passed because the studio claims it couldn't guarantee australian tax breaks (the aussie gov't. says it gave Warners everything it needed) and because the writer's strike prevented any further polishing of the screenplay. Warner, which let the options lapse on several actors- including Adam Brody as Flash, Arnie Hammer Jr. as Batman and Megan Gale as Wonder Woman-the studio has assured them that they'll revisit the film in the summer. "League" had taken priority at the studio, pushing back a "Superman Returns" sequel to 2010 at the earliest- and casting doubt on whether director Bryan Singer will even be available when the film is finally ready to start shooting. (After finishing the tom cruise WWII thriller "Valkyrie," he's slated to helm the "Mayor of Castro Street" for Warner.) If the director is questionable due to scheduling, he's not showing his hand. "Bryan plans on directing the sequel," said Singer's assistant Jason Taylor. But Singer may be mulling the viability of delivering a summer special effects extravaganza on a fraction of the original's budget. "Returns," which allegedly cost around 300$ million to produce, made roughly 200$ million domestically. It's believed that the studio intends to lower their risk the second time around. Contrary to online reports, "Returns," star Brandon Routh is "absolutely" still attached to the sequel, according to his manager Stu Strunk, while Miller's film had cast a new face in the role. Industry sources say that Singer's "Usual Suspects" screenwriter Chris McQuarrie might pen a draft of the script that's set to feature Brainiac. Warner hasn't had any better luck with the rest of DC's library: "Wonder Woman" was lassoed by the departure of original writer Joss Whedon, while "Super Max," "Teen Titans," and "Green Lantern" never made it far enough in development to beat the production paralysis of the strike. Much like the League itself, Warner does have one steady presence: "The Dark Knight," their sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins," is due in theaters july 18.