Christopher Reeve’s Super/Man Documentary is a Heartbreaking Reminder of Icon’s Last Role Before Death in Which He Passed on the DC Hero’s Mantle For Good
- Christopher Reeve passed away decades ago and legacy has been immortalized in an upcoming documentary.
- The documentary reminded fans of the scene in which Reeve passed on the Superhero mantle to a younger version of the character in Smallville.
- Reeve's definition of a hero underwent a huge change after he became quadriplegic past a near-fatal horse-riding accident.
Few actors have been able to achieve the kind of reputation that late actor Christopher Reeve has in the world of cinema. He rose to fame for his role as the DC Comics superhero Superman early on in his career. He was the kind of person who believed in staying active. However, one tragic horse-riding accident changed the course of his life for once and all when it rendered him paralyzed from the neck down.
Becoming quadriplegic not only took away Reeve’s chance at pursuing acting as a profession more actively but also made him incapable of a simple task like walking. Even so, he did not give up hope and contributed towards the betterment of other disabled people.
His journey from playing a superhero on the screen to becoming a real-life hero for many is soon going to be available for fans to witness in the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. The trailer for the same was released recently and it has taken some down the memory lane.
Christopher Reeve Passed on the Superman Mantle Before His Passing
Many actors have embodied the DC superhero over the years, but there is hardly anyone who has been able to hold a candle to Christopher Reeve‘s portrayal of the character. His impact was such that even today, he is often considered synonymous with the superhero and for all the right reasons.
Recently, the trailer of a documentary of his life has been released by DC on YouTube, and it has understandably made fans emotional. One of these fans on X recalled one of Reeve’s last screen appearances in the episode Rosetta in the show Smallville before his passing.
The scene sees Reeve’s character Dr. Virgil Swann, a reclusive scientist who has kept a low profile for years. When Tom Welling’s Clark Kent accidentally ends up burning a Kryptonian symbol onto the side of his family’s barn with his heat vision, he gains Dr. Swann’s attention.
Somehow, Clark manages to convince his parents to let him visit Dr. Swann, who resides in New York. During this visit, the scientist reveals to Clark that he is actually from the planet of Krypton. Swann also shows him a message from the stars which reveal that the young farm boy’s real name is Kal-El. This not only helped in the progress of the story, but also made the show a standard for how a Superman show has to be done.
Christopher Reeve’s Definition of a Hero Changed After He Became Quadriplegic
The world has been fascinated with the concept of superheroes for decades now. The past two decades have seen a lot of development in the genre, but the definition of a hero remains nuanced even today.
Reeve, who became a disability activist aimed at helping to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, also had a change of perception about the same. In the trailer of the upcoming documentary, he can be heard saying:
My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now, my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
Fans would agree that Reeve was a hero, the impact of whose actions will transcend time. Even though he was not flying around the city wearing a costume that includes tights, he will continue to be a hero that everyone will remember.
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on September 21 and 25, 2024.
