A History of Superman in the Movies

Superman (1978)

'You'll Believe a Man Can Fly!'

Scientist Jor-El in an attempt to preserve the Krytponian race sends his infant son to Earth in fear that the inhabitants of planet Krypton will perish and cease to exist. Raised on a farm in Smallville Kansas by the Kent family a baby Superman brought up under his adopted name Clark must discover his super powers and learn to use them for the betterment of the world. Later as a reporter for the Daily Planet Clark discovers that Lex Luthor, one of the world's greatest criminal minds, is planning the greatest real estate scam of all time. Also known as Superman: the movie, the 1978 classic featured the immense acting talents of the Godfather's Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Ned Beatty of Deliverance fame as Otis, Terence Stamp as General Zod and the then somewhat unknown Christopher Reeve as Superman. Directed by Richard Donner and released on December 21 1978 the movie has reportedly grossed over $289,400,000 since it was released.

Superman II (1980)

'The Man of Steel Meets his Match!'

Directed by Richard Lester the 1980 sequel to Superman saw a group of terrorists seize the Eiffel Tower in France and threaten to detonate an immensely powerful hydrogen bomb in the event that the French government fails to meet the terroristic demands. Flying to Paris at super-speed Superman intercepts the elevator housing the explosive device and send it hurtling into space where it can explode and and fail to harm the honest Parisians. This does however, destroy the Phantom Zone where Kryptonian criminals were imprisoned by Jar-El the leader on the planet Krypton. Led by General Zod the Kryptonian criminals attempt to enslave the Human race with only the man of steel to save the day. With a $54 million budget the move has grossed well over $100 million today. In 2006 a Richard Donner cut of the film was released on DVD after petition from Superman fans.

Superman III (1983)

'Superman vs. the King of Computerized Crime!'

The third installment of the Superman series sees talented eighties comedian Richard Pryor join the cast as immoral computer genius Gus Gorman. Under the evil manipulation of wealthy businessman Ross Webster played by Robert Vaughn of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. fame Webster attempts to use his knowledge to gain economic control. In an attempt to prevent Superman from interfering with Websters plan Gus Gorman creates a synthetic Kryptonite laced with tar which tears Clark Kent into two beings setting up a Clark vs. evil Superman finale. The picture once again features Christopher Reeve as Superman, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane and Marc McClure as Daily Planet reporter Jimmy Olsen. Originally set to be called Superman vs. Superman, producers later decided Superman III was a more suitable title. The chemical composition for the Kryptonite that Gus Gorman's computer screen reads: Plutonium: 15.08% Tatalum: 18.06% Xenon: 27.71% Promethium: 24.02% Dialium: 10.62% Mercury: 3.94% Unknown: 0.57%.

Supergirl (1984)

'Her first great adventure'

Kara-El cousin to Superman and niece to leader of Krypton Jor-El lives in a tranquil place called Argo City and must go to earth to find the Omegahedron, the power of which performs magic spells and will leave Argo city lifeless without it. Sucked into space Kara-El must track the item down before it is too late. Upon arriving in earth it seems that her powers are just as those of her cousin Superman... Helen Slater stars as Supergirl alongside famous actors Mia Farrow as Alura, Peter O'Toole as Zaltar and Faye Dunaway as Selena. Released in 1984 the film grossed around $15 million dollars in the US and marked Helen Slater's movie debut.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

'This is Superman's Greatest Battle. And it is for all of us'

Starring Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor and Mark Pillow as Nuclear Man, the fourth film of the original Superman franchise cost just $17 million dollars after originally being slated to receive financing by the film studio double which it was granted. The original cut of the film was around 134 minutes and later tightened to just 90 minutes. Directed by Sidney J. Furie the movie was released on July 24 1987. Super villain Lex Luthor (Hackman) is determined to pave the way for arms merchants to safely purchase nuclear weaponry and as part of his plan creates the radiation powered Nuclear Man. The two superhuman foes clash as Superman has to use his powers to reconstruct the destroyed Wall of China, aid the symbol of freedom, the Statue of Liberty and prevent a devastating eruption at Mount Etna. Star of his forth Superman film, Christopher agreed to play Superman for this outing on the condition that the studio financed another project that he was working on at the time.

Superman Returns (2006)

After an unexplained absence of five years Clark Kent returns to Earth where he is living with his adoptive mother, Martha Kent. Lex Luthor has been released from prison and inherits a fortune after the death of the rich widow that he weds. The 2006 superhero film directed by Bryan Singer starred Brandon Routh as Superman, Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. The movie has grossed in excess of $391 million worldwide after costing a massive $209 million just to be made. The movie was mainly filmed in Sydney, Australia at Fox Studios. The film was touchingly dedicated to Christopher and Dana Reeve.