Same Name, Different Face

'Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No….it’s Superman’. Whether you’re 5 years old or 50, everyone knows who the man of steel is. Superman has become one of the iconic comic book heroes that the world has embraced with their hearts Despite never being able to age, one thing that can be noted for certain is that various different actors have portrayed Superman, both in the cinema as well as on television.
Though the Man of Steel has been played by a line of different actors, the one who most people associate with him is of course, Christopher Reeves. An unknown actor at the time when he was cast, Christopher Reeves first donned the suit and cape in 1978, propelling the Cornell and Juliard graduate into the spotlight and setting him on course to become one of the biggest Hollywood stars of that era.
Reeve portrayed Superman through four Hollywood adaptations over the years, finally hanging up his cape after the release of the Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in 1987, which received disastrous film reviews. Six years passed before a little known television writer, Deborah Joy LeVine, set her eyes on reviving the franchise for American network television. Although Superman had been previously adapted for American television during its first incarnation by actor George Reeves, this version would be different as it predominantly focussed on the relationship between Clark Kent and his love interest, Lois Lane. Deborah Joy LeVine was hailed as the lady who revived superman when Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman launched in 1993, with Dean Cain reprising the cape for a new generation.
Unfortunately, due to flagging ratings in later seasons, and reorganisations within the network that was broadcasting it, the axe fell on Lois and Clark in 1997, and the small screen would have to wait until 2001 to see Tom Welling take up the role of a younger Clark Kent when Smallville was created. The series’ premise was to ditch ‘tights and fights’ of past series and films and bring the character of Clark closer to his roots, and discover more about his life in Smallville. As the television series progressed, we also saw a return of interest to bring the superhero back to the silver screen.
Brandon Routh was selected as the man for the job, and immediately it could be seen why. With an uncanny resemblance and screen presence to Christopher Reeves, he brought a new found life into a movie franchise that was shelved after many failed attempts. Unfortunately, its planned sequel was put on hold after movie executives saw it had received box office sales that were below what was predicted.
The final chapter of this ever going story now lies in recent film news that Englishman, Henry Cavill has been handed the reins for the upcoming sequel to Superman Returns. Little is known about the forthcoming film’s plot, but it seems that Cavill could bring a bit of English flair to the man of steel, as Andrew Garfield is hoped to do with fellow superhero, Spiderman.