Throughout April, we’re counting down to the release of Marvel’s Iron Man 3 with our picks for the Greatest Comic Book Movies of All Time; here’s #19…
Superman II, 1980.
Directed by Richard Lester.
Starring Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Terence Stamp, Ned Beatty, Jack O’Halloran, Sarah Douglas, Valerie Perrine, Susannah York, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure and E. G. Marshall.
It’s a second appearance on our list for the Man of Steel (Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns came in at #42) and a first for the legendary Christopher Reeve with this 1980 sequel to Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie.
Superman II is perhaps best known for spawning the iconic line “kneel before Zod”, spoken by Terence Stamp’s Kryptonian warlord General Zod, who heads up a trio of superhumans intent on ruling the world. However, it’s also infamous for the controversy surrounding from Warner Bros.’ decision to fire Donner – who had finished approximately three-quarters of film, shooting it back-to-back with Superman – and replace him with Richard Lester, who brought a much lighter tone to the material.
Despite its troubled shoot (which saw Gene Hackman refusing to return for reshoots under Lester), Superman II delivered another big success at the box office and has went on to achieve cult status over the years, thanks in no small part to Stamp’s fantastic turn as General Zod. Meanwhile, after years of lobbying Warner Bros., fans would eventually get to see Donner’s original vision for the sequel with the home entertainment release of Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut in 2006.
After Superman II, Christopher Reeve returned to his signature role for two more vastly inferior sequels, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, the latter of which proved to be a franchise killer until Brandon Routh stepped in for Singer’s quasi-sequel Superman Returns in 2006. Routh himself is being replaced this summer by Henry Cavill, who headlines the Zack Snyder-directed reboot Man of Steel.
Keep up to date with our entire countdown here.
Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen – Available now via Amazon.co.uk
Originally published April 7, 2013. Updated November 30, 2022.
