SUPERMAN'S LEGACY: CHRISTOPHER REEVE'S LOOKALIKE SON WILL, 32, TO APPEAR IN NEW SUPERHERO FILM STARRING DAVID CORENSWET - ALMOST 50 YEARS AFTER LATE ACTOR DEBUTED IN ICONIC ROLE
Christopher Reeve's lookalike son Will will make a cameo appearance in the new Superman film - 47 years after the late actor debuted in the iconic superhero franchise.
Reeve - who died in 2004 aged 52 - notably portrayed Superman in four films - Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987) - before he was left paralyzed in a horse riding accident in 1995.
Journalist Will, 32 - whom Reeve shared with late wife Dana - will portray a TV reporter in Superman - starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent and directed by James Gunn. The film is set for release on July 11, 2025.
Will's appearance on the Cleveland, Ohio set was unveiled in photos obtained by Cleveland.com - which showed him greeting filmmaker James Gunn before Corenswet filmed some high-octane action scenes.
Will was days away from his third birthday when his father was left paralyzed from the neck down after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia in May 1995 aged 42.
He relied upon a wheelchair and ventilator for the rest of his life. Tragically Will would be orphaned just 17 months after Reeve's death from heart failure when mom Dana who died from lung cancer aged 44 in 2006.
Will alongside siblings Matthew, 44, and Alexandra 40, who Reeve shared with ex partner Gae Exton, have been reflecting on their father's remarkable life and career ahead of the September release of Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.
The film, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui — left Sundance audience members in tears upon its premiere in January and will debut in cinemas across the US on September 21, 2024.
An encore presentation will follow on September 25, on what would have been the actor’s 72nd birthday - with international release following.
The film features home video footage of the star and interviews with his children and actor friends — with fans shown how he rose to fame as one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.
It depicts Reeve's battle with the 'darkest thoughts' after his paralysis - telling his wife Dana: 'Maybe we should let me go; with Dana responding: 'You’re still you and I love you.'
He later said: 'When Dana whispered those life-saving words to me... it meant more to me than just a personal declaration of faith and commitment.
'In a sense it was an affirmation that marriage and family stood at the center of everything, and if both were intact, so was your universe.'
One year after his accident Reeve memorably brought stars to tears during his appearance at the Oscars - in which he introduced a powerful film montage recognizing how Hollywood tackled social issues.
In the documentary Glenn Close recounts how Reeve was 'terrified that he could die at any moment' after his accident and how his close friendship with Robin Williams gave his strength.
Close said: 'I’ve always thought if Chris was still around, then Robin would still be alive.'
His son Will also opens up about losing both his parents within 18 months of one another, saying: 'That was the moment, I’ve been alone ever since then.'
Will, now a successful sports journalist, was raised by the family's next door neighbors and close friends.
All three children work with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation which aims to cure spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.
The foundation's legacy is celebrated in the film, ending with a quote from Reeve on what he believes a hero is.
He said: 'A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.'
Reeve notably portrayed the iconic superhero, Superman, in the film Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987).
He had also starred in other projects during the course of his career, such as working alongside Jane Seymour in Somewhere In Time (1980).
Read more 2024-07-02T23:08:52Z dg43tfdfdgfd