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 Robert Allan Ackerman. Later in the year, Reeve played a disabled Vietnam veteran in the Broadway play "Fifth of July". In his research for the role, he was coached by an amputee on how to walk on artificial legs. After "Fifth of July", Reeve stretched his acting range further and played a homicidal novice playwright trying to kill his lover and mentor Michael Caine in Sidney Lumet's dark comedy film "Deathtrap" based on the play by Ira Levin. The film was well received. After "Superman II", Reeve portrayed partially corrupt Catholic priest John Flaherty in "Monsignor". Reeve felt this gave