While manySupermanfans areexcited about David Corenswettaking over the character in James Gunn’s DCU, and some are still upset that Henry Cavill got the boot, most fans of the Man of Steel agree that the most iconic portrayal of the character isChristopher Reeve’s. HisSupermanfrom 1978 is widely considered the first great superhero movie, and one of the first to take the subject seriously, with big actors and a big budget. Reeve continued to play the comic book character for three more films, and played both himself and Evil Superman in 1983’sSuperman III.
That film introduced the character of Lana Lang, traditionally known as a high school friend or love interest of teenage Clark Kent, and who appears inSuperman IIIfor the characters' high school reunion and beyond. She’s played byAnnette O’Toole, who was also busy filming48 Hrs.at the time, opposite Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy.
Less than 20 years later, O’Toole would strengthen her place in the Superman canon by playing his adoptive mother, Martha Kent,in the long-running TV series,Smallville. Christopher Reeve himself enjoyed the series, and made two guest appearances in the show. O’Toole recently spoke with MovieWeb about her excellent 2016 horror drama,We Go On, but took a moment to share some memories of Reeve.
“He was fantastic. He was such a nice person, and very welcoming to me,” recalled O’Toole, explaining:
“I came in through the third movie. And I think it was because — and she’s talked about this — I thinkMargot Kidder was having issues with the production about different things. And so I think they were trying to teach her a lesson. So they brought the character of Lana in, rather than focus on Lois so much, although she’s in the movie. We have scenes together, and she couldn’t have been sweeter to me; then later on, she came and did an episode ofSmallville, and she was fantastic.”
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“So, I came in,” continued O’Toole, “and I was doing another movie at the time. I was doing48 Hrs.So I left48 Hrs.and I was flown to London to start the movie and then go back to work on48 Hrs. So when I got there, it’s like, I was jetlagged, I was exhausted. They picked me up at the airport and took me directly to a costume fitting, and like the next day or next couple days I was supposed to be shooting.” She added:
But [Reeves] and his family took me to see Simon and Garfunkel at Wembley Stadium, and just kind of introduced me to the world as being part of this huge movie. And it was just a wonderful night, and he was so sweet all the time. He couldn’t have been more lovely to me. And it’s a huge, huge loss.
Annette O’Toole Praises the Remastered Release of ‘Very Unique’ Horror Movie We Go On
The legendary star of It and Cat People knows her horror, and praises the small, “beautifully done” indie movie, We Go On.
Annette O’Toole Says, ‘I’ve Played His Girlfriend and His Mom, That’s Plenty!’
O’Toole is mainly out of Superman’s orbit these days; 136 episodes playing Clark Kent’s mom will likely do that to you. She has no opinion on the casting of David Corenswet as Superman, and always associates the character with Christopher Reeve and even the tragic George Reeves (no relation, ironically), who portrayed the character inAdventures of Superman.
“Of course, I grew up withGeorge Reeves, who was the TV Superman,” said O’Toole. “I was always a fan of comics, I was always a big Superman fan.I loved the whole thing, but I don’t follow it that much anymore. Maybe I’ve had my fill of it, just because I’ve been in the world so much. You know,I’ve played his girlfriend and his mom, so that’s plenty.”
Annette O’Toole is currently busy filming the latest season of Netflix’s hit drama series,Virgin River. She spoke with MovieWeb about the remastered edition of an extremely intelligent and unique indie horror film titledWe Go On, which happens to starSmallville’s John Glover as well.
Meanwhile, one of the best adaptations ofSupermanis quietly airing on television right now. It’s the animated Adult Swim program,My Adventures with Superman. you’re able to check out our interview with its stars (Jack Quaid, Alice Lee, and Ishmel Sahid) below:
