25 years ago,  iconic pulp hero The Shadow made the leap to the big screen. The result wasn't the smash success fans and studios execs were hoping for, but the movie is still an important reminder that Batman wasn't the first vigilante detective on the block. Celebrate the film's 25th anniversary by learning more about the making of the odd and deeply underrated "The Shadow."

1. Like 1989's "Batman," "The Shadow" went through a prolonged period of development before finally seeing the light of day. Producer Martin Bregman originally bought the film rights in 1982.

2.Sam Raimi lobbied to direct the adaptation but was rejected. Raimi instead went on to create the Shadow-inspired "Darkman" instead.

3. The version of the Shadow featured in the movie is intended to be an amalgamation of the classic radio and pulp magazine incarnations, drawing plot elements, lines of dialogue and powers from both.

4. Author James Luceno's novelization delves even deeper into classic "The Shadow" mythology, including alluding to the fact that the hero's true identity is Kent Allard, not Lamont Cranston.

5. Production on "The Shadow" was set back after an earthquake destroyed the Hall of Mirrors set, forcing director Russell Mulcahy to shoot an abridged version of the climactic sequence.

6. Co-stars Tim Curry and Ian McKellen had worked together before, starring in the stage version of "Amadeus."

7.Chow Yun-fat was considered for the role of Shiwan Khan.

8. "The Shadow" was originally intended to serve as the start of a longer franchise and a major merchandising push. Those plans were abandoned due to its poor box office performance.

9. Among the various tie-in products canceled was a "The Shadow" video game for the Super Nintendo console. The game was actually completed before its last-minute cancellation, and playable ROM files have been circulating the Internet for years.