MummyChunk wrote:
Christopher Reeve was the iconic actor who portrayed Superman in
four films from 1978 to 1987. He was widely praised for his
performance and became a symbol of hope and heroism for millions of
fans. However, his career and life took a tragic turn in 1995, when he
was paralyzed from the neck down after being thrown from a horse
during an equestrian competition. He spent the rest of his life as a quadriplegic, using a wheelchair and a ventilator, and became an
activist for spinal cord research and disability rights. He died in
2004 from sepsis caused by an infected pressure ulcer.
But what if Reeve never had his accident and continued to play
Superman? How would his career and the Superman franchise have
evolved? How would the world of cinema and comics have been different?
Here are some possible scenarios based on some real-world events
and alternative outcomes:
Reeve would have starred in a fifth Superman film in the early
1990s. After the critical and commercial failure of Superman IV: The
Quest for Peace in 1987, the Superman franchise was put on hold for
several years. However, Reeve was still interested in reprising his
role and had some ideas for a new story. He wanted to make a darker
and more realistic film that would explore Supermans origins, his
relationship with Lois Lane, and his conflict with Lex Luthor. He also
wanted to introduce Brainiac, a powerful alien villain, as the main
antagonist. Reeve pitched his concept to Warner Bros., the studio that
owned the rights to Superman, and they agreed to give him creative
control and a higher budget. Reeve hired Tom Mankiewicz, the writer of
the first two Superman films, to write the script, and Richard Donner,
the director of the first film, to direct. The film, titled Superman:
The Last Son of Krypton, was released in 1992 and received positive
reviews and a strong box office performance. It was praised for its
darker tone, its faithful adaptation of the comics, and its impressive
special effects. Reeve was hailed as the definitive Superman and
received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor
Reeve would have influenced the rise of superhero films in the
1990s and 2000s. Superman: The Last Son of Krypton was a huge success
and revitalized the superhero genre, which had been dormant since the
late 1980s. It inspired other studios to produce their own superhero
films, such as Batman Returns (1992), The Crow (1994), Blade (1998),
X-Men (2000), and Spider-Man (2002). Reeve also became a mentor and a
role model for other actors who played superheroes, such as Michael
Keaton, Brandon Lee, Wesley Snipes, Hugh Jackman, and Tobey Maguire.
He also appeared in cameo roles in some of these films, such as
playing Jor-El, Supermans father, in X-Men, and Uncle Ben, Spider-Mans
uncle, in Spider-Man. Reeve also used his fame and influence to
support various causes, such as environmentalism, human rights, and
artistic freedom. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by
Bill Clinton in 1999 and the Kennedy Center Honors by George W. Bush
in 2003
Reeve would have passed the torch to a new Superman in the 2010s.
After starring in five Superman films, Reeve decided to retire from
the role in the late 2000s. He felt that he had done justice to the
character and wanted to pursue other projects and challenges. He also
wanted to give a chance to a new generation of actors and filmmakers
to reinterpret Superman for a modern audience. He was involved in the
casting and production of a reboot of the Superman franchise, which
was directed by Christopher Nolan and starred Henry Cavill as the new
Superman. The film, titled Man of Steel, was released in 2013 and was
a tribute to Reeves legacy. It featured a cameo appearance by Reeve as
Jonathan Kent, Superman's adoptive father, who gave him advice and encouragement. The film was dedicated to Reeves memory and received a
standing ovation at the premiere as Reeve died suddenly that year from
natural causes at the age of 61. He was mourned by millions of fans
and colleagues, who remembered him as a true Superman.
These are just some of the possible scenarios that could have
happened if Christopher Reeve never had his accident and continued to
play Superman. Of course, these are all hypothetical and speculative,
and we will never know for sure what would have happened. However, we
can still appreciate and celebrate Reeves achievements and
contributions, both as an actor and as a human being. He was, and
always will be, Superman!
Good read.
A shame this couldn't happen.
This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=658404340#658404340
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