“The basic approach wasn’t there”: Christopher Reeve’s Superman Co-Actress Hated Movie Sequels for Targeting Millennials

"The basic approach wasn't there": Christopher Reeve's Superman Co-Actress Hated Movie Sequels for Targeting Millennials
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The late Canadian-American actress, Margot Kidder, who is best remembered for her role as Lois Lane in Christopher Reeve’s Superman, was not someone to hold back when speaking her mind. Despite the success of the Superman films and their many sequels, her perspective on the continuation of a popular movie series was fascinatingly unique. 

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The late legendary actress, who played Lois Lane to Reeve’s Clark Kent in four Superman movies in the late ’70s and ’80s, died at 69. Outside of Superman, she also had a long career in film and television. She appeared in the supernatural horror film, Amityville Horror in 1979 as well as the first slasher movie, Black Christmas. 

Christopher Reeve's Superman Co-Actress Hated Movie Sequels for Targeting Millennials
Christopher Reeve’s Superman Co-Actress Hated Movie Sequels for Targeting Millennials

For the unversed, Superman, directed by Richard Donner, was released in December 1978 to positive reviews from critics and a notable box office success, grossing more than $300 million worldwide.

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This success was unquestionably contributed by Reeve’s superb casting as Superman and Kidder’s as Lois Lane.

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Christopher Reeve’s Superman Co-Star Once Discussed Her Dislike Of Movie Sequels

After Richard Donner, other directors have portrayed the beloved comic book hero in theaters in their own unique ways. The character was portrayed in two distinct and original ways in the films Superman Returns (2006) and Man of Steel (2013). However, Margot Kidder believed that the superior quality and comic book accuracy of her Superman (1978) always set it apart from the competition.

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Additionally, she believed that the remakes erred by trying too hard to appeal to a particular audience. And that’s why people consistently seem to prefer Reeve’s and her portrayal of those characters. She once told HeyUGuys:

“No, they always go back because that film was better written and directed. They go back to them because they were so much truer to the comic books. Kids learn the morality tale of Jesus in a way; a guy away from his dad, floundering around on Earth and is this purely good person. Superman responds to women by saving them, saves the children and beats up the bad guys, if you will.”

Christopher Reeve's Superman Co-Star Margot Kidder
Christopher Reeve’s Superman Co-Star Margot Kidder

The seasoned actress also expressed her dissatisfaction with how sequels have targeted millennials, the largest living generation, in particular. Kidder argued that rather than fostering and providing a variety of storytelling experiences, Hollywood often relies on recycling well-known plots in an effort to appeal to millennial nostalgia.

“Probably, my guess is what happened is when they decided to hit the demographic of the millennials in the later films. I think the directors were good, the actors were good but the basic approach wasn’t there.”

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Amy Adams’ Portrayal Of Lois Lane Left Margot Kidder Unimpressed

Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, according to the late actress, were a good team because they naturally bonded behind the scenes in a very sibling-like way. To quote her:

“What came across was an intimacy that Chris and I did have, because we came from similar backgrounds and he looked like one of my brothers. So the energy we had was one of brother and sister, which was often bickering, that took the place of romantic energy. No one noticed the difference one from the other – it worked.”

Despite her love for the role, she was not particularly pleased with the way Lois Lane was portrayed in Zack Snyder’s movies. She didn’t, however, place the characterization only on the actress, Amy Adams.

“They took one of the best American actresses’ around, Amy Adams, and didn’t give her anything to do! I mean, how stupid is that? They made her what used to be the girlfriend, which kind of ended in the 60s with women’s rights.”

Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Amy Adams as Lois Lane

Well, many actors have played the role of Superman since the character’s inception, with Christopher Reeve playing the part in the 1978 film, Superman. At first, Kidder was not convinced by Reeve, despite the fact that many people thought he was the perfect choice to play the role.

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Like Reeve, Kidder was chosen for the role of Lois Lane after making an impression on Superman director, Richard Donner. The late filmmaker had been intrigued by the actress ever since he had first seen her on a television show. 

Superman is available to stream on Max. 

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Source- HeyUGuys

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Written by Siddhika Prajapati

Articles Published: 1413

Between everyday normalities and supernatural abnormalities, Siddhika Prajapati finds the story in everything. Literature Honors Graduate and Post-Graduated in Journalism (from Delhi University), her undying need to deduce the extraordinary out of simplicity makes her a vibrant storyteller.

Serving as a Senior Entertainment Writer at Fandom Wire and having written over 1400 pieces, Siddhika has also worked with multiple clients and projects over the years, including Indian Express, India Today, and Outlook Group.

Who knows, maybe your next favorite persona on the screen will be crafted by her.