As we enter the second half of 2024, a few superhero films are still on the way. Warner Bros. and DC will release Joker: Folie à Deux starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga in October, while Sony still has Venom: The Last Dance and Kraven the Hunter on its schedule, which follows up the abysmal release of Madame Web earlier this year.
So far, Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine has been the only successful comic book movie released this year that dominated the box office in a record-breaking fashion while receiving a positive reaction from fans and critics alike. However, one other superhero film is still coming out this year that’s flying under the radar. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will have a limited release in theaters, yet it could be the surprise hit of the year in the superhero sphere.
It’s a Different Kind of Superhero Film
- Christopher Reeve first played Superman in the 1978 film by Richard Donner and went on to play the character in three more sequels.
- Donner’s Superman film is still considered by man to be one of the best superhero films ever made.
- Audiences loved Reeve for his portrayal of Superman due to the earnestness and humility he brought to the role.
Unlike the other more traditional superhero movies being released this year, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a documentary following the life of one of the most iconic actors ever to don a cape. While Reeve was not an actual superhero, his life is a remarkable story synonymous with the DC character he played for years. The superhero genre has featured a ton of different stories, but the documentary has not received as much attention as it will with the upcoming Super/Man film.
“I think he was very conscious of that irony and the legacy of Superman when people viewed his story and thought about him after the accident. He talked about redefining what it is to be a hero… it’s an everyday person who survives despite overwhelming obstacles.” — Christopher Reeve’s daughter, Alexandra , remembering her father.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story chronicles the actor’s journey to stardom and the near-fatal horse-riding accident he suffered in 1995. Following the incident, Reeve became an inspiring figure by becoming an activist. Reeve’s story is one many who grew up with him as Superman are familiar with, but now a new generation will discover his story, which has served as an inspiration and in many ways, captures the spirit of the character that etched him in film history.
It Will Be DC Studios’ First Release
- Warner Bros. launched DC Studios in 2022 as a new division looking to emulate Marvel Studios’ success with the MCU.
- Warner Bros. Discover CEO David Zaslav hired James Gunn and Peter Safran to be the co-CEOs of DC Studios.
- In addition to projects set in the interconnected DCU, DC Studios will also produce Elseworlds projects like The Batman — Part II.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story premiered at Sundance back in January and its success at the film festival led to a bidding war between studios over who would distribute the film. In a somewhat surprising move, Warner Bros. Discovery acquired the documentary for $15 million. As a result, it will become the first release from DC Studios, despite it not being part of the new DCU, which will properly begin in December with Creature Commandos.
“I saw the stunningly beautiful documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story a couple weeks ago. It emotionally floored me. Peter & I knew DC Studios needed to be involved & I’m grateful to Peter & our WBD family at Warner Bros, HBO, CNN & Max having worked so hard to acquire it. It’s a wonderful film by wonderful filmmakers not only for people like me who love Reeve’s work but for everyone.” — James Gunn on the upcoming film .
With DC launching a new brand under the new studio logo, it will have an impact on how it’s perceived moving forward and could be the perfect first project to fall under it. Gunn’s Superman will hit theaters next summer, but having a documentary about Reeve coming from the studio feels right as DC looks to both honor the past and move forward with the franchise’s most important film from Gunn on the horizon.
It’s Already Earned Rave Reviews
- The upcoming documentary was directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui.
- The film will have a limited release in theaters in partnership with Fathom Events on September 21 and 25, with the latter date honoring Reeve’s birthday.
- HBO, CNN Films and Max will also distribute Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.
Since Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, many have already seen the film which added to the excitement since it received glowing reviews. The high praise is part of what led to the bidding war between studios to acquire the film. Many have celebrated the film for showcasing Reeve’s strength, friendships and truly becoming a hero in the real world after portraying one for so many years.
“What the film does exceptionally well, above all else, is to portray the Man of Steel as a fallible family guy – an immensely gifted and passionate actor, activist, father and husband, who wanted to do the right thing, and ultimately did.” — Ed Gibbs in Time Out’s review of the film.
There has yet to be a trailer released for Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story just yet, but the buzz is certainly there when a film has good word of mouth after a film festival to the point where it could be in the mix for an Oscar. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story only has 21 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes so far, but it currently holds a 100% with critics all getting behind the documentary’s strong message so far.
Superhero movies are in an interesting place at the moment where they are not quite as viable as they once were, yet films like Deadpool & Wolverine show the genre can still deliver a monster hit for studios. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will be a different type of superhero film that will dive into the extraordinary life of a man who lived up to the icon he graced on the big screen. When actors sign onto a superhero role, some become larger-than-life figures in society, such as Robert Downey Jr. because of the personal struggles that follow them off-screen that have become so public. The life of Christopher Reeve is the ultimate example of this with the upcoming documentary set to deliver a superhero film that shows how inspiring these prominent figures can be.
When many think of superhero films, they think of the grand scale and now the connectivity of a universe. However, they can also showcase the power of the human spirit and no story can encapsulate more than one that actually took place in reality. With so many heroes flooding the screens, Superman has been out of the spotlight for a little bit. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story could be the perfect first step in bringing the character back to prominence leading up to Gunn’s Superman film. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story has what it takes to surprise movie-goers this fall, not just because it is technically a superhero film, but because it is something more that will likely impact audiences.
