Summary
Supermanwill feature a Christopher Reeve tribute that will break a 21-year trend within theDC Universe. DC’s second attempt at a shared cinematic universe will begin withJames Gunn’sSuperman, which recently wrapped filming. There is still a while to wait as post-production gets underway, with the movie slated for release on August 14, 2025. It will bethe first cinematic release for the DC Universe, followed bySupergirl: Woman of Tomorrowan entire year later on June 10, 2025.
Whilestory details forSupermanremain under wraps for now, what is certain is that it boasts a stacked cast. This includes mainstays of Superman lore such as Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, in addition to some lesser-known DC characters in their live-action debuts, including Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner. Additionally,Supermanwas recently confirmed to feature at least one cameo courtesy of the Reeve family.
Every Actor Cast In Superman (So Far)
Superman will be the first film released in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, and the Man of Steel reboot boasts an impressive cast.
Superman 2025 Will Have The First Reeve Family Cameo In A DC Project Since Smallville In 2004
Will Reeve Will Play A News Correspondent
It was recently reported that Will Reeve, son of the late Christopher Reeve, will make an appearance inSuperman. Confirmation came after Will Reeve, who is a correspondent for ABC News, was spotted on set during filming for the movie. WhenSupermanreleases next year,it will be the first time that a member of the Reeve family has featured in a DC project since Christopher Reeve himself appeared inSmallvilleseason 3, episode 17, which aired in April 2004.
Christopher Reeve, who portrayed Superman on the big screen from 1978 to 1987, appeared twice inSmallville, first in season 1, episode 17, and again in season 3, episode 17. His character, Dr. Virgil Swann, was a benevolent scientist with a special interest in Krypton, and a confidant to Clark Kent, whose powers were known to him. Swann’s first appearance saw him imparting his wisdom to Clark Kent about his Kryptonian heritage and how to best use his powers for good. His final appearance was in an episode aptly entitledLegacy, which aired six months before his death.
How Will Reeve’s Cameo Fits Into Superman 2025
Will Reeve Says He Won’t Pursue Acting
Will Reeve is reportedly translating his real-world experience toSupermanby portraying a reporteron-screen. When asked about his cameo appearance byTMZ, Reeve remained coy, stating only that he had a single line to read and that the experience was more nerve-wracking than his day job as a correspondent for ABC, despite their similarities. He also insisted that he did not intend to pursue acting as a career off the back of his cameo, mentioning:
“I don’t think I have what it takes to be an actor…I really don’t. I’m very happy with my current job as a correspondent at ABC and that’s where I’m going to stay if I have anything to say about it.”
Despite seeming resolute in his decision not to follow his father’s acting career, it is hard to ignore the parallels between Will Reeve’s role inSupermanand the eponymous hero’s job as a journalist. In the same interview, Reeve insisted that his appearance is a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment, though it remains a touching tribute to his late father who spent much of his time on screen as journalist Clark Kent. At the very least, it is an improvement on the tribute last made in Christopher Reeve’s honor on the big screen.
10 Christopher Reeve Superman Movie Moments That Still Hold Up Over 35 Years Later
Despite the gulf in quality, there are many moments from all of Christopher Reeves' Superman movies that still hold up over 35 years on.
Why Superman 2025’s Christopher Reeve Tribute Is Better Than The Flash’s
The Flash’s Christopher Reeve Cameo Was Controversial
2023’sThe Flashwas the DCEU’s ill-fated attempt at telling a multiversal story, and became indicative of why some audiences are already feeling fatigued by the concept.The Flash’s ending featured cameos aplentyas Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen journeyed through the speed force and encountered various depictions of DC heroes throughout the ages. This included a CGI-rendered posthumous depiction of Christopher Reeve as Superman using stock footage. Setting aside the uncanny rendering of Reeve’s likeness for the movie,the moment raised plenty of moral concerns about the use of an actor’s likeness after their death.
James Gunn - who is now heading up the DCU - has criticized what he calls “cameo porn,” which refers to gratuitous and transient cameos in modern superhero movies.
Reeve’sSmallvilleco-star, Jonathan Glover, weighed in on this controversy by asserting his belief that Reeve would have wanted to be involved, citing his devotion to the DC character and his desire to contribute toSmallville. He clarified that the decision to include a posthumous likeness should be a decision for his surviving family. Unfortunately, it was later revealed in January 2024 thatnone of Reeve’s children were consulted about the decision to include his SupermaninThe Flash.
By featuring Reeve’s son, Will, inSuperman, James Gunn is tastefully recognizing Reeve’s legacy without stoking the same moral quandary. Ensuring that Will Reeve is also embodying a role that he is intimately familiar with is also a respectful move. Regardless, given Gunn’s opinions on superhero cameos, it can be safely assumed that Will Reeve’s will be the only, if not one of very few, to emerge inSuperman.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
