6 Former Superman Actors Pay Tribute to Late Legend Christopher Reeve at MegaCon: ‘It Was Always Gonna Be Like Chris’

Mar. 15, 2025

Christopher Reeve as Superman in 1978.Photo:THA/Shutterstock

THA/Shutterstock

Christopher Reevejust got a tribute that even the strongest kryptonite couldn’t take down.

During a panel atMegaCon Orlandoin Florida on Saturday, Feb. 8, sixactors who have portrayed Supermanin the years since Reeve’s role as the Man of Steel in 1978’sSupermancame together to discuss the DC hero’s legacy on and off the screen and to honor Reeve, who died in 2004.

Those in attendance includedTyler Hoechlin(Superman & Lois),Brandon Routh(Superman Returns),Dean Cain(Lois & Clark),Tim Daly(Superman: The Animated Series),George Newbern(Justice Leagueanimated series) andTom Welling(Smallville).

During the discussion, Welling, 47, recalled working with Reeve on a season 2 episode ofSmallville, an experience he said he “walked away from wanting to be a better person.” Reeve appeared in the WB series as scientist Virgil Swann, who played an important role in the storyline of Welling’s portrayal of Clark Kent.

From left: George Newbern, Tyler Hoechlin, Tim Daly, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain and Tom Welling at MegaCon Orlando on Feb. 8, 2025.Jen Juneau Haupt

Jen Juneau Haupt

“We got there and the plan was to shoot four hours and get his side of two scenes and then he would leave and I would do my side with someone else,” Welling recalled. “We did the first scene and they said, ‘OK, we’re gonna do the next scene.’ He goes, ‘What about Tom?’ "

As Welling recalled at MegaCon, Reeve had other plans — just as he had a quick sense of humor.

“He was like, ‘No I’m not leaving.’ And long story short, it got to the point about eight hours into the day and they turned around filming my scenes with him. And his nurse, power of attorney, was like, ‘If you don’t come with me in 15 minutes, I’m calling the police.’ He had to leave. He looked at me and goes, ‘They’re always telling me what to do.’ "

“You didn’t feel sorry for him at all,” Welling said elsewhere during his story about Reeve. “He was telling jokes the whole time. We had a riot, he was cracking up. … We just had really great banter. I had a lot of fun with him.”

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Routh, 45, also spoke about his portrayal of Superman, and the legacy that Reeve left on the role before Routh first took on the character of Clark Kent in 2006’sSuperman Returns. At the time, Routh remembered being “tasked with transitioning the character from Chris playing the character.”

“It was always gonna be like Chris,” he said. “Even if it was some other movie, some other version of that slightly altered Superman, because I wasn’t playing Chris. I wasn’t playing Superman. [I was] playing the feeling, the love when you’re Superman.”

“I didn’t know what that was when I was 25,” Routh added, sharing that he really understood the sentiment with later reprisals.

Reeve’s real-life story of tragedy and triumph was recently explored in the documentarySuper/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festivalin January 2024 and is nowavailable to stream on Max.

The movie is an emotional journey that portrays the late actor and his family’s unwavering support after a1995 equestrian accidentleft him paralyzed. While the incident prevented him from playing Superman again, Reeve remained a significant part of the franchise until — and even after — his death in 2004 at age 52.

Super/Manincludes intimate interviews with Reeve’s children —Matthew Reeve,Alexandra Reeve GivensandWill Reeve— as well as his late wifeDana Reeve, whodied in 2006 from lung cancer. The film also features memories of Reeve from friends includingWhoopi Goldberg,Susan Sarandon,Jeff DanielsandGlenn Close.

Reeve was best known for his portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman onscreen beginning with the 1978 film. The critically acclaimed production led to three sequels, all of which featured Reeve in the cape. He reprised the dual role of Superman and Clark Kent in 1980, in 1983 and in 1987, the latter withSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace.

The former Superman actors' recent appearance at MegaCon comes months beforeJames Gunn’s rebootSupermanfilm hits theaters, starringDavid Corenswet, 31, as the Man of Steel,Rachel Brosnahanas Lois Lane andNicholas Houltas Lex Luthor. And the movie has a very specialcameo: from Reeve’s son Will.

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“I know the folks making the film, and they’ve been so kind to me and my family, and I had a free day so we made it [happen],” Will, 32, toldTMZin July 2024.

When asked about what his role in the upcomingSupermanentails, Will wouldn’t budge. “I don’t know what I’m allowed to say,” he said.

Will also said that he didn’t think he had “what it takes to be an actor,” but encouraged everyone to see the movie anyway. “Blink and you’ll miss it,” he added, possibly alluding to his role.

source: people.com