Superman’s nemesis Lex Luthor hasn’t bought Six Flags, but it sure feels like it…

©Six Flags

Last month, Six Flags Magic Mountain announced that the iconic, once record-breaking shuttle coaster Superman: Escape from Krypton – – has been permanently closed.

According to the Park’s president Jeff Harris, the decision to close the attraction — which had been down for refurbishment since September — came down to an inability to repair the attraction. According to Harris, “Some of the parts are obsolete. It’s really tough to even get parts to keep it alive.”

He continued, “Just like other roller coasters within the theme park industry, there’s a life cycle with these coasters. It’s just reached a point in time where we need to make a wise decision on where we really should reinvest funds that improve the guest experience the most. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense from a business perspective to put it back into Superman” according to the O.C. Register.

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The once-revolutionary Intamin Reverse Freefall Coaster opened as Superman: The Escape in 1997. The shuttle coaster featured a pair of side-by-side 1,235-foot-long L-shaped tracks that each curved toward the sky, and was powered by an ”electro-magnetic propulsion launch system” that launched riders from zero to 100 mph in about 7 seconds, allowing riders to experience 6.5 seconds of weightlessness on the vertical section of track before dropping backward toward the launch station.

At the time of its opening, the 415-foot-tall coaster held the title of the world’s tallest coaster, remaining so until Cedar Point opened Top Thrill Dragster in 2003. The ride’s name was changed in 2011, which coincided with the ride vehicles being turned backward. Over the years, the coaster had also become well-known to coaster enthusiasts and amusement park fans thanks to being extensively featured on Travel Channel documentaries, especially in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

©Six Flags

As far as the future of the ride’s station, vehicles, and etc. Harris would not elaborate, saying “It’s too early to disclose what we’re going to do with the actual track, cars, queue, building structure and everything else that comes with the attraction. That’s yet to be determined, but we’re working through what that potentially could look like for the future.” He further said, “We are still the Thrill Capital of the World for guests of all ages,” Harris said. “We’re still the reigning park when it comes to the quantity and variety of roller coasters.”

Interestingly, the Lex Luther: Drop of Doom attraction that was affixed to the Superman track in 2012 will remain open for the foreseeable future. Maybe Lex did buy the park after all..

©Six Flags

Six Flags Magic Mountain has announced that the well-known Superman: Escape from Krypton roller coaster is closing permanently. Stay tuned to DFB for more updates on rides around the world.

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Have you ever ridden Superman: Escape from Krypton? Will you miss it? Let us know in the comments below!