Kurt Russell Stole the Show in Sky High

by

Kurt Russell is a remarkably talented actor who consistently elevates any film he’s in, even when he’s not the lead. He’s known for his strong performances in leading roles, but his dedication to acting really shines through in smaller parts, as seen in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. A particularly noteworthy, but often overlooked, performance is his role in the superhero film Sky High.

I remember seeing Sky High when it came out 21 years ago, and looking back, I think it was really ahead of its time. It offered a fresh take on superheroes before the whole genre was dominated by Marvel and DC. It was a big part of my childhood, and honestly, I don’t think it gets the recognition it deserves for being such a fun and exciting movie. And you know what? There was one superhero in particular who totally stole the show, even though they didn’t have a huge role!

Kurt Russell Steals the Show in Sky High

Kurt Russell truly shines in the already enjoyable movie, Sky High. The film is set in a world where superheroes are commonplace, and follows teenagers with powers who attend Sky High – a high school in the clouds designed to help them develop their abilities.

Okay, so I absolutely loved this movie! It’s about Will Stronghold, whose parents are these amazing superheroes. He goes to Sky High, which is basically a high school for superheroes, but there’s a catch – his powers don’t show up right away, and he gets stuck with the sidekick kids. But then, things start happening, and his abilities finally kick in, and he uncovers this really sneaky plot to take down the school and all the superheroes. It’s a fun ride!

Kurt Russell plays Steve Stronghold, also known as the Commander, in the movie Sky High. The Commander is a remarkably powerful superhero and Will’s father. He deeply wants Will to become a great superhero like him, but they have trouble connecting because their conversations mostly revolve around superpowers. This leads Will to hide his lack of powers in an attempt to gain his father’s approval.

Russell is naturally charming and takes control of the screen, even in a small part in what’s basically a lighthearted, fun movie. It’s worth noting he’s worked with superheroes before – actually, before Val Kilmer took on the role, he was involved in a similar project.

Although it would have been great to see Russell as this character, he naturally fits the role of a classic hero like Superman. That’s what makes his performance in Sky High so interesting – he plays into familiar Superman themes while also playfully poking fun at the character.

In the movie Sky High, Russell acts alongside Kelly Preston, who plays Jetstream – a strong superhero and Will’s mother. Jetstream’s character is reminiscent of well-known heroes like Captain Marvel. Russell and Preston are particularly memorable as Will’s parents, who love him but don’t always understand him.

The connection between these two characters is a standout part of the movie, adding real heart as they finally understand their son beyond his powers and any battles he faces. Even after over twenty years, they’re still among the most beloved characters in Sky High, and it’s easy to see why.

Sky High Is One of the Most Underrated Superhero Films

I still think about Sky High all the time, and it really doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves! Coming out in 2005, it was so original in how it handled superheroes, especially considering it didn’t rely on any already famous characters. What I love is that it perfectly blends all the exciting action and fun you want from a superhero movie with a really relatable coming-of-age story – and honestly, it holds up just as well now as it did twenty years ago.

Even though it wasn’t made with a huge budget like many superhero movies, Sky High really shines when it comes to its characters. The story centers around Will Stronghold, and his desire to impress his parents is something everyone can understand – it’s shown through how he deals with his superpowers.

The movie also realistically portrays the ups and downs of friendships, including tricky romances and unexpected connections with people he used to dislike. Sky High successfully blends the excitement of a superhero movie with the familiar themes of a high school story, making it work as both.

The movie Sky High showcases some of the first on-screen roles of actors who would later become known for playing superheroes. Notably, Danielle Panabaker, who plays Will’s friend Layla Williams, later starred as Caitlin Snow/Killer Frost in The Flash and appeared in several Arrowverse crossover events. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, playing Gwen Grayson, went on to portray Helena Bertinelli/The Huntress in the Birds of Prey movie from the DC Extended Universe.

The film features a special appearance by Lynda Carter, the original Wonder Woman from the 1970s television series, playing the role of Principal Powers. And Kurt Russell, known for many roles, later became a Marvel villain, portraying Ego the Living Planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

When Sky High came out in 2005, it generally received good reviews, but it didn’t remain popular for very long. The following years saw the rise of huge superhero franchises, especially the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which overshadowed it. Because of this, Sky High has largely been forgotten. However, a loyal fanbase still recognizes and praises the film’s qualities even now, two decades later.

Could Sky High Ever Get a Sequel?

The movie was initially intended to launch a series, but disappointing ticket sales quickly halted those plans. Given the significant time that has passed since the last film, it’s now unlikely that any further installments will be made.

A sequel to Sky High was planned where the original cast would have gone on to attend a superhero college called Save U. However, the idea has been abandoned because the actors are now too old to convincingly play college students.

A television series continuing the story of Sky High was once in development. While details about the plot are scarce, most of the original movie’s stars were expected to reprise their roles. However, the show never materialized and was eventually cancelled. There’s also been speculation that Disney lost interest in the project after acquiring its own superhero universe with Marvel.

Although a sequel to Sky High seems unlikely, most of the original cast members have expressed interest in reprising their roles. Bruce Campbell, who played Coach Boomer, recently shared his willingness to return. However, the cast’s availability isn’t the issue; ultimately, it’s up to Disney to decide if another Sky High movie or series will happen.

After twenty years since the original film, a Sky High sequel would likely be a fresh start with a new group of heroes – maybe the children of the original characters. This approach would let the streaming service add another familiar title to its growing collection of revived shows and movies, something they often do.

Rebooting Sky High appears to be a low-risk way to bring back a previously unsuccessful film series. However, Disney hasn’t said anything about making a sequel, so it probably won’t happen.

Even though a sequel never happened, Sky High remains a standout superhero film, especially considering it wasn’t made by Marvel or DC. Surprisingly, the movie is still enjoyable more than two decades later and deserves recognition for its originality within the superhero genre.

Sky High is available to stream on Disney+.

5 Questions
Test Your Sky High Superhero Knowledge!
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-01-26 06:38