100 Greatest Superhero Stories Ever
By Steve Lam
Image Courtesy of Warner Bros.
#17. Superman II
Medium
Live-Action Feature Film
Release Dates
December 4, 1980 (Australia)
April 9, 1981 (United Kingdom)
June 1, 1981 (United States)
Credits
Director: Richard Lester
Writers: Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman
Cast: Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, Christopher Reeve as Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman, Ned Beatty as Otis, Jackie Cooper as Perry White, Terence Stamp as General Zod, Sarah Douglas as Ursa, Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Jack O’Halloran as Non, Valerie Perrine as Eve Teschmacher, Susannah York as Lara, Clifton James as Sheriff, E.G. Marshall as The President of the United States, Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen
The Reason It’s Great
Richard Donner’s take on Superman was always meant to be epic in every sense of the word. In the 1970s, filming two films back-to-back was unheard of, but Donner did that to provide consistency for the first film and the sequel. Later, a falling out with the Salkinds would see Donner depart and director Richard Lester join. Though much of the film had to be reshot for director credits, it was still a success.
Three supervillains from Krypton are accidentally released from the Phantom Zone when an elevator containing a bomb is propelled into space by Superman. General Zod, Ursa, and Non—who are all bent on exacting revenge on Jor-El’s heirs for imprisoning them—make their way to Earth where they’re contacted by Lex Luthor. Luthor makes a pact with them: give him Australia and he’ll give them Superman.
Meanwhile, Lois has discovered Superman’s secret identity. Reluctant to admit it at first, Clark comes clean and chooses to become human so that he can spend the rest of his life with her. When General Zod takes over the White House and calls out Superman, Clark must sacrifice his happiness and save the world by becoming the Man of Steel again.
Though the production of Superman II had a lot of behind-the-scenes drama, the film received just as much praise as Superman: The Movie. Many again noted the standout charming performance of the late Christopher Reeve as a believable and compelling hero.