Superman stars now – tragic horse accident, 11 kids, deaths and strange row

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the stars of the classic Superman movie.

The heroic DC Comics character made his way from the cartoon strip to the big screen for the hit 1978 film.

Mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent was hiding his true identity as the Kryptonian superhero who can fly, has super strength and can shoot lasers out of his eyes.

Up to that point it was the most expensive film ever made with a budget of $55 million, but it proved to be well worth it as it made staggering worldwide box office earnings of $300 million.

The movie paved the way for other superhero flicks and received a Special Achievement Academy Award for Visual Effects.

It’s all-star ensemble cast featured big names such as Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman and of course Superman himself – Christopher Reeve.

Here’s what happened to the cast after filming the movie.

Christopher Reeve – Superman

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Christopher Reeve played the leading role of Superman/Clark Kent.

The 6’4 tall chisel-jawed actor was picked from over 200 people who auditioned for the iconic part.

As Clark Kent he wore glasses and worked for the Daily Planet, but when he was needed he would transform into Superman with that famous red and blue suit with a cape.

Describing the role, he said: “By the late 1970s, the masculine image had changed … Now it was acceptable for a man to show gentleness and vulnerability. I felt that the new Superman ought to reflect that contemporary male image.”

His training regime consisted of two hours of weightlifting and 90 minutes on a trampoline and he packed on 30 lbs of muscle for the part.

The actor appeared in all the Superman sequels and would go on to make several appearances in TV series Smallville.

Reeve declined many roles in action movies, choosing instead to work in small films and plays with more complex characters.

However, he was the victim of a horrific accident in May 1995 when he was flung from his horse during an equestrian competition.

His world changed forever as he was paralysed from the shoulders down and used a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life.

He returned to work in small parts, directing and wrote two autobiographical books as well as becoming a human rights activist.

While being treated for an infected presser ulcer in October 2004, Reeve went into cardiac arrest after receiving antibiotics and tragically died at the age of 52.

Margot Kidder – Lois Lane

Canadian-American actress Margot Kidder played Lois Lane – the woman who fell in love with Superman.

The Daily Planet reporter met Clark Kent at work and became his romantic interest in the movie.

Over 100 actresses were considered for the role and six were screen tested, with Kidder getting the part because of the spark she brought and her strong chemistry with Reeve.

The actress rose to fame after starring in the movie and the three sequels – as well as getting massive exposure in blockbuster horror film The Amityville Horror.

Kidder maintained a close friendship with co-star Reeve until he died, stating: “When you’re strapped to someone hanging from the ceiling for months and months, you get pretty darned close.”

During the 90s she had a number of health issues, sustaining serious injuries in a car accident that left her temporarily paralysed in 1990.

The actress was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and had a never breakdown in 1996, but she got her career back on track with roles in Smallville and Law & Order.

Tragically, Kidder was found dead in her home aged 69 in 2018 and her death was ruled as a “self-inflicted drug and alcohol overdose”.

Gene Hackman – Lex Luthor

Major Hollywood star Gene Hackman was chosen to play evil villain Lex Luthor.

The science genius and rich businessman discovered his nemesis’ weakness to Kryptonite and hatched a cunning plan that threatened millions of lives.

Hackman reprised the role for both the 1980 and 1987 sequels then went on to star in films such as The Firm, Crimson Tide and Enemy of the State.

After appearing in comedy film Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, Hackman revealed he was retiring from acting.

The actor changed career and became a novelist, writing three historical fiction novels.

Hackman was hit by a pick up truck while cycling in 2012 but made a full recovery and as of three years ago was still an avid cyclist despite being in his late 80s.

M arlon Brando – Jor-El

The legendary Marlon Brando played Superman’s biological father, Jor-El.

The council on Krypton refused to listen to his theory that the planet was exploding – but managed to send his son off in a space ship to Earth before he died.

Brando was given an ‘unprecedented’ deal that meant he was paid $3.7million for just 12 days work and less than 20 minutes of screen time.

He only agreed to the role on the condition he did not have to read the script beforehand and his lines would be displayed somewhere off-camera.

The actor and his production company filed a $50 million lawsuit against producers and distributors of the movie for allegedly violating terms of an agreement for his services in the film.

Brando felt that he was cheated out of his share of the box office profits and footage of him could not be used in the sequel.

The film marked a comeback for the Academy Award-winning actor after a hiatus in the early 70s, turning himself into a highly paid character actor in supporting roles.

The Godfather star played Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now and appeared in The Formula before taking a nine-year break.

He went on to appear in Dry White Season, Don Juan DeMarco and The Island of Dr. Moreau before retiring from acting after filming 2001’s The Score.

Off-screen, the actor was father to at least 11 children and one of them became Michael Jackson’s bodyguard – with Brando being a close friend of the singer.

Sadly, the actor died of respiratory failure from pulmonary fibrosis with congestive heart failure in July 2004 at the age of 80.

Ned Beatty – Otis

A younger generation of movie goers will definitely remember Ned Beatty’s voice.

The American actor played Lex Luthor’s bumbling henchman Otis in Superman and Superman II, where he was left behind in prison.

Having already appeared in Deliverance and All the President’s Men, the actor went on to gain a reputation as “the busiest actor in Hollywood”.

He also turned to voice acting, playing a character in animated film Django with Johnny Depp and voicing the evil bear Lotso in Toy Story 3.

Beatty starred in over 60 movies and 40 TV shows from 1978 until he retired in 2013 after his final iim – Baggage Claim.

The actor sadly died of natural causes at his home in LA in June this year at the age of 83.

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