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
Superman (Salkind films) or no conflict who stands for "truth, justice and the American way"—a recurring theme shared by Superman in the original "The Adventures of Superman" radio program. The noble Superman portrayed by Reeve, though, hides his secret identity by pretending to be an awkward and apprehensive character named Clark Kent, whom Lois Lane is indifferent to but shares an obsession over Superman. Reeve felt that even though Superman upholds "truth, justice, and the American way" that there was nothing self-conscious about him and that was simply what he believed in. The character has been cited as an metaphor of a Christ