Why Superman (1978) is The Most Influential Superhero Movie - Talking About Tapes (#150)

Tony, Crystal, and Frank revisit 1978's Superman The Movie and talk about how it influenced most superhero films and TV shows that came after. Everything from Burton and Nolan's Batman films, the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy, and even Marvel's Cinematic Universe have all used elements that were introduced in this film. Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El (Marlon Brando) sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan (Glenn Ford) and Martha Kent (Phyllis Thaxter), young Clark (Christopher Reeve) discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).