Superman: The Movie (1978)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Superman: The Movie (1978)

Cast: Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Margot Kidder

Superman is the first blockbuster film adaptation of a comic book superhero and the first in a series of films. An infant is sent from the planet Krypton along with a green crystal containing the sum of all Kryptonian knowledge, to Earth to ensure his survival. The infant, Kal-El's, spaceship crash lands on Earth near the town of Smallville, Kansas, three years after Krypton has been destroyed. The boy is found and adopted by a couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent, who name him Clark Kent after Martha's maiden name. Clark (Superman) has incredible superhuman powers on Earth, but he keeps his abilities hidden.

Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent / Superman: Born on Krypton as Kal-El and raised on Earth, Superman is a being of immense power, strength and invulnerability who after realizing his destiny to serve mankind uses his powers to protect and save others. As a means to protect his identity, he works in Metropolis at the Daily Planet as mild-mannered newspaper reporter Clark Kent.

Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor: An evil scientific genius armed with vast resources who would prove to be Superman's nemesis. It is he who discovers Superman's weakness and hatches an evil plan that puts millions of people in danger.

Marlon Brando as Jor-El: Superman's biological father on Krypton. He has a theory about the planet exploding, though the Council refuses to listen. Jor-El dies as the planet explodes but successfully sends his infant son to Earth as a means to help the innocent.

Margot Kidder as Lois Lane: A reporter at the Daily Planet, who becomes a romantic interest to Clark Kent.