The 2006 film “Superman Returns” is a direct sequel to the original four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve, and it has many connections to the Reeve films. Here are some of the ways in which Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” ties into the Christopher Reeve movies:
* The film begins with a flashback sequence that shows a young Superman (Brandon Routh) arriving on Earth for the first time, which is similar to the opening scene of the 1978 film “Superman: The Movie.” This establishes the connection between the two stories.
* The movie also features a subplot involving J.J. and Martha Kent (Frank Langley and Lesley Ramsey), the adoptive parents of Superman, which is a nod to the characters’ presence in the original films. Jor-El’s spaceship, which Superman’s parents found as a baby, is also shown.
* The Daily Planet’s Daily Chief and Lex Luthor’s rival is also featured in the film, bringing back another connection to the original films. The Daily Planet’s slogan, “The Daily Planet: The Newspaper of Record,” is also displayed on screen.
* Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) is a key character in the film, and her dynamic with Superman (Brandon Routh) is reminiscent of her relationship with Christopher Reeve’s Superman in the original films.
* The film’s villain, Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey), is also a nod to Gene Hackman’s portrayal of the character in the 1978 and 1980 films. Lex’s plan to split the United States in half with a massive earthquake-inducing device, threatening to destroy the country, is similar to his plan in the 1983 film “Superman III.”
* The film’s climax, which features Superman and his friends fighting against Lex’s army of robotic LexLuthor clones, is also reminiscent of the action sequences in the original films, such as Superman’s battle against the Kryptonian villain General Zod.
* In the film’s final scene, Lex is seen laughing maniacally as he plots his next move, leaving room for a potential sequel. This is similar to the finale of the 1983 film “Superman III,” which ended with Lex declaring, “I’ll get you next time, Richard, and next time you’re dead!”
These are just a few of the many ways in which “Superman Returns” connects to the Christopher Reeve movies. The film’s narrative is heavily influenced by the original films, and it pays homage to the characters and storylines that made the Reeve Superman franchise so beloved.
