Superman and Lois Lane Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder portrays Lois Lane. It was directed by Richard Donner with music by John Williams. The film led to three theatrical sequels, "Superman II" (1980), "Superman III" (1983) and "" (1987). Kidder's role in "Superman III" was greatly reduced due to her conflict with the producers of the film. She returns as the female lead and Superman's love in the fourth film. In 2006, "" was released on DVD, featuring director Richard Donner's original vision for "Superman II". One of the most important aspects in the first and second films was the romantic relationship between the
Superman (1978 film) "Superman"—which began filming in March 1977—and the other films, stating that "I did not know about 'Star Wars'; 'Star Wars' did not know about 'Superman'; 'Close Encounters' did not know about 'Superman.' It really was completely independent—nobody knew anything about anybody." "Superman" also established the superhero film genre as viable outside the production of low-budget Saturday matinee serials. Director Christopher Nolan cited Richard Donner's vision and scope of "Superman" when pitching the concept for "Batman Begins" to Warner Bros. in 2002. The movie inspired The Kinks' 1979 song "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman", when the band's main songwriter, Ray