Christopher Reeve’s Son Shares Thoughts on Superman Casting

Will Reeve, Christopher Reeve’s son, asserts that the actors portraying Superman do not need the approval of his family to take up the role.

The 33-year-old journalist, who is also the son of the actor known for portraying a superhero on the big screen from 1978 to 1987, expressed joy that the creators of the upcoming DC Universe (DCU) film, featuring David Corenswet in the lead role, sought their input on the project. This was surprising since they aren’t considered the guardians or authorities over the character.

On Thursday (July 10), Will stated on “Good Morning America”: “All I want to clarify is that neither my father, nor my siblings, nor I are the guardians of Superman.

David and his team aren’t obliged to involve us or ask for our blessing in their endeavor, yet we appreciate their choice to do so and are eager for everyone to witness the outcome.

As a passionate cinephile, I reminisce about my unforgettable meeting with David Corenswet on the Atlanta set of a film production back in the day. You see, this encounter held a special significance for me, as it came shortly after the untimely passing of my father, Christopher, in 2004 at only 52 years old.

He remembered: “We were both observing numerous screens and equipment, when from the periphery of my vision, or something similar, I heard someone say, ‘Hello, Will,’ in a deep tone.

Additionally, when I observed the blue and red, I glanced upward, and for a moment, I failed to recognize that it wasn’t my father. However, it briefly crossed my mind that it was David. Then, I merely looked up and exclaimed, “Wow, that’s Superman!” Naturally, this superhero is synonymous with my dad in my mind.

In simpler terms, he went on saying, “After getting a sense of my surroundings, I immediately shared with David that my family and I are thrilled and backing him wholeheartedly.

In the movie, directed by James Gunn, who’s known for Guardians of the Galaxy, I, Will, took on a special appearance and portrayed a fitting character, a journalist.

Last year, the ABC News reporter shared with TMZ that the experience was fantastic, as everyone was very welcoming; it was swift and hassle-free. Interestingly, they admitted to feeling more anxious during this encounter than when appearing on TV for their regular work, due to the large crowd present and having to memorize a single line, despite this.

Gunn stated that his film isn’t the most daring project out there since it signifies the commencement of the DC Universe.

In an interview with GQ magazine, the 58-year-old head of DC Studios, who is also a filmmaker, stated that while there’s certainly something at stake, it’s not as significant as some might think.

Gun isn’t convinced by ideas that the film, with Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult among its stars, should be deemed successful only if it earns $700 million.

He expressed that the idea that a film must earn at least $700 million to be successful is absurd and exaggerated. People are overstating its significance.

Every ‘Superman’ Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

11. Justice League (2017)

Oh dear, “Justice League” was supposed to be the climax of an intricately connected narrative. Regrettably, it became the point where a promising film franchise reached its lowest ebb. Originally helmed by Zack Snyder, he stepped away due to personal matters, and Joss Whedon took charge. The final product doesn’t seem like something either director would have produced.

The editing is haphazard, the mood is inconsistent, and the main antagonist is a bland CGI creature devoid of any charm or purpose. (Believe it or not, his goal is to conquer the world! Yes, indeed!) Although Snyder’s cut is available on streaming platforms, the original version of “Justice League” still holds the title as the weakest Superman film ever produced.

10. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)

Christopher Reeve’s last portrayal as Superman in the 1987 film “The Quest For Peace” may not live up to its legendary status, but it’s still worth a watch. The rights for the Superman franchise had been taken over by Cannon Films, known for their exploitation films, which led to an incredibly low budget of $17 million compared to the original movie’s budget of $55 million almost a decade prior. It’s evident that the budget constraints impacted the production quality.

However, Gene Hackman delivers a strong performance as the villainous Lex Luthor, and there are some enjoyable action scenes. Moreover, Christopher Reeve pours all his energy into Superman’s struggle against his most significant adversary yet: The ominous threat of nuclear war.

9. Superman Returns (2006)

The airplane-saving scene featuring Superman (Brandon Routh) is one of the best moments in any superhero movie. Unfortunately, the rest of “Superman Returns” seems overly preoccupied with mimicking the atmosphere of the first two Superman films directed by Richard Donner, despite being produced decades later without the original cast. This results in a somewhat static feel, as if watching scenes from a wax museum. Additionally, a significant plot point that could have made the story more engaging is introduced late in the film only to serve as a setup for a sequel that was never produced by Warner Bros. If the entire movie had focused on this intriguing aspect, it might have been much better.

The airplane-saving scene with Superman (Brandon Routh) is one of the best parts in any superhero film. However, most of “Superman Returns” feels like an attempt to recreate the vibe of the original Superman movies, even though it was made many years later without the original cast. This makes the movie feel a bit dull and static, like watching scenes from a wax museum. Moreover, an interesting part of the story is introduced late in the film, but seems to only be there to set up a sequel that wasn’t made by Warner Bros. If the entire movie had focused on this intriguing aspect, it could have been much more engaging.

8. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

As a die-hard fan of DC movies, I can’t help but reflect on the intense encounter between two iconic figures in the DC Extended Universe – Superman and Batman. For the first time, they lock horns, and it all started due to the devastation wreaked on Metropolis during Man of Steel, a point that Batman (played by Ben Affleck) never fails to remind Superman (Henry Cavill) about. Now, I’m not saying he’s entirely right, but the tension between these two titans escalates to such an exaggerated level in Batman v Superman that it sometimes feels like a caricature of their classic rivalry.

The ensemble cast shines brightly – Cavill, Affleck as a Batman who deserves more recognition, and Gal Gadot’s captivating debut as Wonder Woman. But the testosterone-fueled confrontation between these two legends crosses the line, turning some of the movie’s most dramatic moments into self-mocking parody. And let’s face it, after this film, it’s hard to take a character named Martha seriously ever again.

7. Man of Steel (2013)

Clark Kent exclaims, ‘The world is too vast, Mom!’ In response, she suggests, ‘Then make it manageable.’ Zack Snyder should have heeded Ma Kent’s advice. With numerous World Engines, crumbling structures, and aggressive Kryptonians, the film Man of Steel struggles to grasp the essence of its namesake hero. Perhaps that was Snyder’s intention – portraying this character not as a beacon of hope, but as an alien entity potentially posing more danger to humanity than providing salvation. At the very least, it offers a fresh perspective on the character.

6. Superman III (1983)

In an era dominated by blockbuster superhero films with life-or-universe-at-stake conflicts and spectacular visuals, it’s refreshing to appreciate the charm of a smaller, intentionally comical film like “Superman III.” The movie occasionally delves into a Tati-like comedic realm, reminiscent of a whimsical Metropolis comic book issue. Additionally, it subtly criticizes unchecked capitalism – a system Superman has long been fighting against since his initial adventures. Moreover, the film gains credibility for a scene where Superman transforms into an antagonist and straightens the Leaning Tower of Pisa to annoy a modest souvenir vendor. What a jerk with superpowers!

5. Superman and the Mole Men (1951)

The initial DC Comics movie served as a precursor for the 1950s “Adventures of Superman” TV series featuring George Reeves as Superman. Despite its questionable special effects – with the imposing “Mole Men” being merely small individuals wearing black turtlenecks and bald caps – it effectively conveyed Superman’s moral principles, particularly his defense of a very literal little person against mob aggression. Moreover, George Reeves portrayed Clark Kent’s inherent kindness and empathy exceptionally well, as well as any actor in history.

4. Superman II (1980)

Fans adore Terence Stamp’s portrayal of General Zod and the iconic line “Kneel before Zod!” so much that they tend to overlook the disarray in the rest of the movie, which unfortunately is a jumbled mess. Elements from the original Superman film, such as the charming chemistry between Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, seem misplaced this time around. Superman becomes so fixated on revealing his Fortress of Solitude to Lois that he seems oblivious to three powerful Kryptonians taking over Earth. One would think with his super-hearing, he’d notice? Despite having magic amnesia kisses, teleportation, and projectile chest emblems in this movie, it feels odd that the absence of super-hearing is not addressed.

3. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Although it’s still not perfect, Zack Snyder’s Justice League represents a significant enhancement over the original theatrical version, offering a more coherent narrative and deeper character development, particularly for Ray Fisher’s character Cyborg. Four hours might be excessive; the theatrical cut may have been too brief, but the extended director’s cut is overly lengthy. Nevertheless, the Snyder Cut stands out as the best Superman film directed by Zack Snyder, and likely the one that will shape his legacy with the company.

2. Superman (2025)

Many people find it blasphemous to compare the two Superman films, but I must admit that while I favor Richard Donner’s 1978 original, James Gunn’s Superman comes with its own set of advantages. For instance, it boasts a more compelling Lex Luthor (played by Nicholas Hoult as an excessively self-centered and sensitive character) and a stellar supporting cast featuring Edi Gathegi as the fittingly named Mr. Terrific and Krypto, Superman’s adorable yet disobedient superpup.

Moreover, it offers a Superman who is endearing in his vulnerability, making him easy to cheer for and believe in. The film is entertaining, action-packed, romantic, and even manages to slip in some social commentary. It’s setting the bar high for future DC movies, which is exciting since it’s meant to be the start of a whole cinematic universe.

1. Superman (1978)

In my opinion, no actor has ever portrayed a more outstanding on-screen Superman (or Clark Kent) than Christopher Reeve. The impact of the original “Superman” movie is immense and undeniable, as well as the brilliance of John Williams’ timeless score. However, it’s worth noting that Richard Donner’s “Superman” isn’t flawless; I apologize to Marlon Brando, Glenn Ford, and those who mispronounce ‘Krypton’, but the film could have been more powerful if the initial 45 minutes were cut out, beginning instead with Clark Kent’s arrival in Metropolis. In 1978, audiences were already familiar enough with Superman’s origin to follow the rest of the movie effectively. Despite this, when Reeve appears on screen, his exceptional portrayal of both the noble Superman and bumbling Clark Kent takes the whole production to new heights.

2025-07-15 16:56