Superman III: A Comprehensive Look at the Iconic Film’s Cast, Plot, and Legacy

Superman III: A Deep Dive into the Man of Steel's Third Cinematic Outing

Superman is truth, justice, and the American way. He has appeared in many films. Not every movie is a hit. Some soars. Others wobble. "Superman III," out in 1983, falls into the latter category. Despite Christopher Reeve's strong return, the film has mixed reviews. Let’s explore its cast and plot.

Cast and Crew: Behind the Scenes of Steel

Every movie has collaboration. "Superman III” features various personalities and drama. Let's examine the key players.

Christopher Reeve: The Definitive Superman

Christopher Reeve defines Superman. He stood tall at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm). Reeve was slim by nature. To bulk up, he completed a tough two-month training program with David Prowse. This helped him gain 30 pounds (14 kg). For "Superman III," Reeve earned $1 million, marking his iconic superhero status. Reeve was just 24 during "Superman: The Movie." Initially slim, he transformed into Superman's classic image.

The Curious Case of Lex Luthor's Absence

Gene Hackman is absent from "Superman III." He played Lex Luthor in the first two films. Why was he absent? He boycotted due to disapproval of treatment towards Richard Donner during “Superman II.” Hackman disagreed with the Salkind brothers’ decision to fire Donner. His loyalty shows strong principles. It's odd yet fitting that Luthor’s absence mirrors Luthor's stubbornness. Trivia notes that Hackman refused to shave his head for the earlier films!

Richard Pryor: Comic Relief with a Hefty Price Tag

"Superman III" introduced comedy with Richard Pryor. Although a legend, his presence felt unusual. Rumor has it he got $4 million for his role. Whether it fit the film's tone is debatable, yet his paycheck was enormous.

Where's Lois Lane?

Another missing character was Lois Lane, usually played by Margot Kidder. Filmmakers felt Lois's arc concluded by "Superman II." Many viewers disagreed and missed the Superman-Lois dynamic. This reasoning felt flimsy to fans who loved their chemistry.

Richard Lester: Reluctant Director

Richard Lester directed "Superman III." Interestingly, he was reluctant at first. He took the job only after a huge payment offer. Creative reluctance disappears when money talks. Lester stepped in after Donner left, altering the film’s tone and style considerably compared to its predecessors.

Plot and Storyline: When Superman Went to the Dark Side (Sort Of)

The plot of "Superman III" takes an odd turn with synthetic Kryptonite. It features Superman falling into a dark phase, sort of. Let’s break this unusual plot down.

Superman's Brief Stint as a Villain (Kind Of)

In "Superman III," our hero undergoes a strange shift due to synthetic Kryptonite. This isn’t typical Kryptonite but a man-made version from Gus Gorman, played by Pryor. This synthetic type meddles with Superman's mind, causing a split personality. Superman becomes reckless and selfish, not a world-conquering villain. Instead of evil domination, he engages in petty vandalism like straightening Pisa and blowing out the Olympic flame. He even neglects people who need saving! This cartoonish portrayal deviates from usual superhero stakes.

The Synthetic Kryptonite Concoction

This synthetic Kryptonite is crucial, manipulating Superman's psyche. Instead of weakening him physically, it targets his moral compass, leading to bizarre behavior. Kryptonite seems upgraded here, offering a temporary personality shift instead of physical weakness.

Production and Reception: Not Quite Super

"Superman III" faced production issues and received lukewarm reviews from critics and audiences alike.

Critical Reception: A Step Down

Critics received "Superman III" poorly compared to its predecessors. Many felt the lazy plot and mediocre acting led to this perception, despite Reeve's highlight performance. One critique said it lacked the first two films' brilliance, feeling everything great was missing. The change in direction led to this disappointing tone shift combined with comedic elements, contributing to its poor reception.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace – A Further Descent

If "Superman III" stuttered, "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” released in 1987, considered a total flop. It often ranks as the worst Superman movie with a meager Rotten Tomatoes score of 10%. This flop initiated a 19-year hiatus for the franchise until "Superman Returns" in 2006 attempted to revive it post-"Superman IV." You can learn about this attempt to revive the franchise on Wikipedia.

Christopher Reeve: Beyond Superman

Reeve's legacy goes beyond his superhero role. His life story includes triumph and tragedy with lasting impact.

Physical Transformation and Tragedy

As noted, Reeve committed to Superman's physical demands, increasing his muscle mass significantly during filming. Sadly, his life changed when he became paralyzed from the neck down after a horse-riding accident in 1995. This injury led him to advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights, inspiring many.

Activism and Legacy

Reeve focused his energy on activism. He became a director and a strong voice for his causes. He founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. This organization leads spinal cord injury research. His work inspires many individuals. A new documentary, "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" (2024), explores his life before and after the accident.

Personal Life and Support

Reeve passed away in 2004 from heart failure. A pressure injury caused sepsis. His son, Will Reeve, faced more tragedy with Dana Reeve's death. Will was raised by friends and neighbors. They became his surrogate parents. He also had support from his grandparents and half-siblings. Stories suggest that Robin Williams supported Reeve financially after the accident. Some reports claim he gave as much as $2.7 million. However, while Robin was a close friend and offered emotional backing, the finances seem exaggerated. Their friendship provided Reeve some strength during tough times. At his death, Christopher Reeve’s net worth was around $30 million. This reflects his successful acting career and smart investments.

Actors Who Almost Wore the S

The Superman role is iconic. Many actors were considered or offered the chance. Variety lists 'Superman' Actors: Every Star Who Has Played The Man Of Steel. This showcases a range of actors who took on the role. Here are examples of actors considered for Superman at different times.

David Corenswet: The New Man of Steel

David Corenswet will play Superman in the upcoming 2025 DC film, "Superman." This indicates a new chapter for the character on screen.

Will Smith: A Missed Opportunity?

In the 2000s, Will Smith was offered the Superman role in "Superman Returns." He declined it, fearing the role's iconic status. It’s intriguing to think of what Smith might have added, but Brandon Routh was ultimately cast.

John Travolta: An Early Auditioner

Long ago, John Travolta auditioned for Clark Kent/Superman in the 70s. It's hard to see him as a mild-mannered reporter. Still, it's a fun trivia piece.

Clint Eastwood: Marvel over DC?

Even Clint Eastwood was approached for Superman. He turned it down, wanting to play Namor the Sub-Mariner instead. Imagine if Eastwood had been Superman and not Dirty Harry!

Marlon Brando: Jor-El and a Big Payday

Marlon Brando had a brief yet significant role as Jor-El, Superman's father, in 1978.

High Salary, Short Screen Time

Brando received $3.7 million for his role in 1978's "Superman." Given his limited screen time, that's a huge amount.

Superman II Dispute

Brando did not return for "Superman II." He refused to let producers use footage unless they paid him a similar percentage as before. He held out for his worth!

Brando's Estate

Marlon Brando's estate was worth around $120 million when he died in 2004. His financial achievements matched his acting legacy. For those curious about his heritage, Brando was Caucasian and had German, Dutch, English, and Irish ancestry. "Superman III" may not be a classic, yet it stands out in the Superman film series. It features behind-the-scenes drama, odd plot choices, and Christopher Reeve's enduring presence. Even superheroes can have off days; synthetic Kryptonite can lead to strange storylines.