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Alright, let’s talk Superman, but not just any Superman, Christopher Reeve’s iconic version of the Man of Steel. This guy didn’t just fly, he flew us into the world of superhero movies with Richard Donner’s 1978 classic, Superman. It wasn’t the first superhero movie, but it was the first big one, setting the stage for a new genre.
With Reeve’s charming Clark Kent and epic heroism, it sparked multiple timelines and alternate realities that became the foundation for the superhero movies we know and love today. From sequels to spin-offs, we’ve got some parallel universe action to break down. Let’s dive into the wild ride of Reeve’s Superman timeline, where reality (and time) isn’t as straightforward as a phone booth change.
Superman’s Original Timeline: From Epic Beginnings to Comedic Chaos
After Superman (1978) flew into theaters, things got a little wild for the Man of Steel. The timeline followed with Superman II, Superman III, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, with the shift in tone becoming pretty clear. Director Richard Donner’s more earnest, epic approach in the first two films was replaced by Richard Lester’s lighter, more comedic touch in the sequels. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, Supergirl swooped in, launching a spin-off with Helen Slater’s Kara Zor-El, and opening up even more of the Donnerverse!
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Superman II’s Donner Cut: A Whole New Sequel Reality
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is like the multiverse of Superman movies. After Donner was replaced mid-production, Superman II got a new direction under Richard Lester, turning it into something more comedic. But in 2006, Donner’s vision got its moment in the sun when his director’s cut was released, with as much original footage as possible. However, since there wasn’t enough to create a full narrative, the theatrical cut was used to fill in gaps. What we got is an alternate timeline where Superman’s journey unfolds in a way that wasn’t originally intended. So, yeah, it’s a sequel, but not quite the one we saw in theaters!
Superman ’78: The Comic Universe That Continues Donner’s Legacy
In 2021, Superman ’78 took the original film timeline into the world of comics, picking up right after Superman II. With Brainiac and Metallo causing chaos, and even Jor-El and Lara making a surprise comeback (though trapped in Brainiac’s miniaturized city of Kandor), the comics offer a whole new adventure. It’s not just a continuation of Donner’s Superman, but also part of a bigger multiverse that ties in with the Batman ’89 comics. It’s like the classic Superman we love got a fresh coat of comic-book paint, continuing his story in an all-new way.
Superman Returns: A Fresh Start With a Selective Memory
In 2006, Superman Returns picked up the cape with a bold twist: it ignored the weirdness of Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, basically, everything after Superman II was erased from the timeline. That meant Supergirl was totally left out too! Returns brought us a more mature Superman, but the real kicker came when this version of Supes joined the Arrowverse in 2019. There, we learned that his universe’s Joker took out Lois Lane and the Daily Planet crew, giving us a darker, Kingdom Come-inspired Superman. Talk about a heavy return!
Superman & Supergirl: A Flash of Multiverse Madness
In The Flash (2023), we get an unexpected treat: Christopher Reeve’s Superman and Helen Slater’s Supergirl make brief but epic cameos! As Barry messes with the timeline, we’re shown a whole bunch of realities, including a possible Donner universe. Now, whether this is the classic Superman ‘78 timeline or some new reality created by Barry’s timeline-hopping shenanigans is up for debate. It’s a multiverse merry-go-round, with Burton Batman also getting pulled in. Long story short: The Flash gave us some severe nostalgic chaos, and we’re here for it!
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