In the fall, “Super/Man,” a documentary on Christopher Reeve’s life, will be released in theatres.
After receiving a warm reception at Sundance, the movie was acquired by Warner Bros. Discovery, which cost about $15 million, will open in a few theatres on September 21 and be repeated on September 25, Reeve’s birthday. Fathom Events and Warners-owned DC Studios are working together on the theatrical rollout.
It’s unclear when “Super/Man” will have a more extensive, conventional theatrical distribution. The movie’s foreign distribution schedule is still pending.
Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution, stated, “It’s an honour to be a part of bringing Christopher Reeve and his singular legacy to audiences again, on behalf of Warner Bros., as well as my colleagues at DC, HBO, and CNN.” “This documentary explains what made him a true hero, on- and off-screen. It was at this very studio that he made us all believe a man could fly.”
“Everyone knows that Superman is a superhero,” said Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, “but I’m eager for audiences to discover the real superhero behind Superman.” This remarkable film explores the true nature of Christopher Reeve and his bravery, offering a detailed look into his life.
As noted by Goldstein and Nutt, the Warner Bros. location is appropriate since it was the studio that produced the first four Superman films, in which Reeve found his biggest economic success as the Man of Steel. “Super/Man” is described as a “superbly made and supremely moving portrait of the actor’s fall and rise” by Variety’s top film reviewer, Owen Gleiberman.
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,” directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, chronicles Reeve’s rise to fame as Superman and his battle to find a treatment for spinal cord injuries after a horseback riding accident left him quadriplegic. He spent the remainder of his life on a ventilator and in a wheelchair; he passed away in 2004. The documentary, which tells the tragic and inspirational story using personal archive material, was made with the actor’s family involved.
Before the movie’s Sundance debut, Alexandra, his daughter, told Variety that “he was very conscious of that irony and the legacy of ‘Superman’ when people viewed his story and thought about him after the accident.” “He discussed redefining the definition of a hero as an ordinary person who overcomes great adversity.”
