Superman in film the script, giving it a serious feel with Christ-like overtones. Christopher Reeve was cast as Superman, having initially failed to impress the Salkinds before bulking up. Brando meanwhile, despite spending less than two weeks on the shoot, and not even reading the script until then, earned $3.7 million up front, plus 11.75% of the gross profits from the film. The film was a success both critically and commercially, being released during the Christmas season of 1978; it did not have much competition, leading the producers to believe that this was one factor in the film's success. Shooting of the two
Christopher Reeve be his favorite of the series. Because of fan encouragement and the June 2006 theatrical release of "Superman Returns", Richard Donner's version of "Superman II" titled "", was released on DVD in Nov. 2006, at the same time as the DVD release of "Superman Returns". "" was dedicated in memory of Reeve. Lester directed "Superman III", released in 1983, solo. Reeve believed that producers Alexander Salkind, his son Ilya Salkind, and Pierre Spengler decreased the credibility of "Superman III" by turning it into a Richard Pryor comedy and hence making it a not very good film. He missed Richard Donner