The entertainment industry plays a key role in influencing the audience politically. Throughout history, fans have had different iterations of DC Comics’ popular character, Superman. As the world progresses, fans have started to question what Superman’s political beliefs are.
These questions have been around for a long time, but one actor dealt with it perfectly: Christopher Reeve. The actor played the Last Son of Krypton in Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Reeve always saw the character as a fictional character, adding that Superman has nothing to do with the real world as its sole purpose is to provide entertainment to the viewers.
Christopher Reeve saw Superman as “popcorn entertainment“
In a 1982 interview with Playgirl, actor Christopher Reeve was asked if he had any problems with his DC Comics’ character, Superman’s politics. The actor explained that he completely overlooks it because the character is only meant for entertainment,
“The way I deal with that is to dismiss it completely. I refuse to entertain, even for fun, the possibility that Superman has anything to do with the real world. Really. Superman is enjoyable popcorn entertainment, and I cannot grant him any more important status than that.”
Over the years, there have been many discussions over Superman’s political beliefs. Despite debates and discussions, Superman is and always will be a figure of aspiration and hope. He is just a functional character that was made for entertainment purposes. Actor Henry Cavill was the last actor to portray the character as James Gunn has now planned to do a soft reboot of the franchise. David Corenswet will now play the role in 2025’s Superman: Legacy.
Christopher Reeve only wanted Superman to influence people to be a gentleman
Further in the interview, Reeve was asked about Superman’s influence on kids around the world. The actor initially stated that he hopes children don’t get influenced by the character, but added that he wants Superman to influence them into becoming a gentleman,
“I certainly hope not. The only way I would want Superman to have an influence is as a gentleman. I think that’s important. The whole heroics-the stopping of bullets and fixing of bridges-bore the shit out of me. But he’s a gentleman, he’s a Sir Walter Raleigh. He cares more about people than they will ever know. And if people take inspiration from that, that’s fine. But I wince at the idea that he represents anything else.”
Reeve’s Superman played a key role in popularizing the character among a wider audience. In May 1995, Reeve was paralyzed from the shoulders down after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition. The actor passed away in 2004 but his contribution to the franchise will always be remembered.
