Directors of 'Superman' Pay Tribute to Christopher Reeve: 'The Man Who Invented the Superhero Film'

"Having the chance to meet the three Reeve children and share their specific tale was an incredible honor for me," stated the director. Peter Ettedgui explains Gold Derby. "Such remarkable tales do not simply appear in our lives."

Ettedogui and his collaborator in film production Ian Bonhote had just completed watching a movie about the Paralympics when an offer came their way to collaborate with some children. Christopher Reeve - Matthew , Alexandra , and William To create a documentary about their father, equipped with numerous archival videos and photographs shared willingly by them. “We didn’t hesitate at all,” states Bonhote. “Everything fell into place perfectly. We were astonished that such an opportunity hadn’t arisen earlier since this turned out to be both surprising during our efforts to sell, finance, and produce the film. Yet sometimes, certain narratives just slip through unnoticed.”

Superman: The Christopher Reeve Story Upon its release last year, it received widespread acclaim from critics and went on to secure a BAFTA award, a PGA Award, six Critics Choice Documentary Awards, and inevitably, a Gold Derby Film Award, along with numerous other honors. As the documentary was not nominated for an Oscar, it has become eligible for the forthcoming Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Documentary.

Gold Derby: Can you share how you initially tackled the project?

Ian Bonhote: Our idea of a genuine everyday hero compared to a cinematic superhero was something we pondered over. We also questioned what it truly means to be a dad. Additionally, we explored the experience of someone without disabilities who then faces such challenges and how it affects their family dynamics.

Peter Ettedgui: When we met the children, I must admit, we instantly grew fond of all three. Each one seemed to embody aspects of their father’s personality. This observation intrigued us greatly. Instead of mere narrators, these youngsters came across as fully realized cinematic figures for us to engage with.

Were you at all worried about collaborating so intensely with the family? Did you feel assured that you'd have artistic independence?

Bonhote: We immediately brought this up with them. It was quite fascinating because they had received numerous proposals over the years, nearly two decades after Chris’s death. From the outset, however, it was evident that they were willing to grant us an interview and share generously of their emotions, recollections, and time. Yet, they insisted on having no involvement whatsoever in the editing process. Their lives are both hectic and fulfilling, and they preferred simply moving forward without further disruption.

Ettedgui: We dedicated considerable time discussing with them our nascent concepts and illustrating how we envisioned structuring the movie. We also shared which aspects of this segment’s narrative we aimed to emphasize. During an interview, Matthew mentioned something interesting—he didn’t express this sentiment back then—but he appreciated that we opted for a non-linear storytelling method. Given his own experience working in cinema, he had a solid grasp of structural principles. This allowed him to comprehend that instead of following a straightforward chronological storyline—which might come off as monotonously sequential—we intended to treat it more like a cinematic tale.

What was your reason for choosing that non-linear structure for the film?

Bonhote: Occasionally, when tackling a film project, the challenges one anticipates can spur creative thinking. We were particularly aware that covering this subject from start to finish might span 42 or 43 years—showing him first as a thriving, physically capable actor before transitioning abruptly to nearly a decade spent in a wheelchair, battling for existence and rediscovering his sense of purpose. This linear progression seemed both overly dramatic and somewhat monotonous, especially since viewers likely knew about the pivotal horse-accident incident beforehand. It wouldn’t serve well as a plot twist either; hence, revealing it early made more sense. Thus, after perhaps only five, seven, or eight minutes into the story, we shift back through time to explore his childhood, rise in acting, familial dynamics, including his parents' separation, and ultimately how he formed bonds within the theatrical community. Robin Williams , his friendships with many individuals, his deep affection for the artistry involved, and his profound dedication to his craft. Then there’s the incredible part he played in it all. Superman. We really enjoyed how this story contrasted the superhero seen on-screen against someone becoming an actual hero. The character starts off as a highly successful celebrity, virtually resembling what everyone thinks of as a real-life superhero. Then comes an unfortunate incident leading to vulnerability and fragility—almost hitting rock bottom—and needing to regain strength. By the conclusion of his journey, due to relentless advocacy efforts, unwavering public presence, acts of courage, along with support from their remarkable family and devoted spouse, they manage to achieve a new level of heroic stature once more. This narrative intertwines these dual paths, merging them seamlessly throughout the storyline.

What surprised you the most when learning about him?

Ettedgui: One aspect that stood out regarding him was his incredible bravery and the courage with which he faced what had befallen him. The manner in which he endeavored to comprehend it all—the science, the medical aspects—was remarkable. As an actor, he displayed intense dedication, and even more so following his injury; understanding every detail mattered immensely to him. It became clear to him how minimal progress existed due to the lack of interest from the scientific and medical communities toward researching spinal cord injuries. They often saw it as a dead end. Yet, through sheer force of will, he rallied these groups around the issue instead of merely endorsing causes publicly—he threw himself into them heart and soul. These were truly touching elements for us. Additionally, we found astonishingly moving his deep and passionate love affair with his widow. Dana Actually, the movie features two love stories — his relationship with his initial partner, Gae [ Exton After the injury involving Dana, their tale turned out to be an incredibly moving love story. Neither of us anticipated her character meeting such a tragic fate when we initially joined this project. It came as both a shock and a surprise for all of us.

Bonhote: And turned into a significant cornerstone of the movie.

Then there was his beautiful relationship with Robin Williams. Such a remarkable friendship.

Bonhote: It was remarkable to witness how those who knew them both continue to fondly recall that friendship and love, despite the fact that it seemed improbable. From the very beginning, they developed a deep affection for one another. Their bond wasn’t formed between celebrity acquaintances within a well-known setting; instead, it blossomed out of their shared passion for their crafts. Both were just young individuals striving to master their respective fields. Bob Marley He stated, “True friendship resembles stars. In times of brightness, they remain unseen; however, during moments of darkness, their presence becomes evident, just as genuine bonds emerge.” This sentiment accurately depicted the relationship between Chris and Robin. During Chris’s most challenging period, when he required significant financial support due to his extensive disabilities—despite coming from a well-off background—their true alliance shone through. As mentioned in our documentary, sustaining life with severe disabilities can be exorbitantly expensive, particularly requiring round-the-clock care via ventilators designated as C1, C2. Throughout these hardships, Robin consistently offered monetary assistance and actively participated in raising additional funds for the cause. Marsha Williams It remains steadfastly with the family. Thus, it is quite a remarkable bond and a genuine, robust familial tie.

Ettedgui: You might not assume they'd have such a strong friendship, yet both seemed to fill gaps in what the other needed. Chris was known as an incredibly reliable and sharp individual with a highly logical mind. On the flip side, Robin embodied unpredictability. With a remarkably compassionate nature, Robin contributed significantly to numerous charitable endeavors through his name and wealth. Although we couldn’t include it in the movie, we were informed about an incident where all lights went out at Chris’ place due to a total blackout, making breathing difficult for him since the ventilator stopped working. In response, Robin installed another emergency generator in the residence to ensure Chris could always breathe easily during blackouts. Stories like these highlighted more than just their kindness; they also underscored how ready Robin was to protect his friend from any threats or hazards.

Despite all that he achieved, Chris certainly had his imperfections. You address this quite candidly.

Ettedgui: That’s something we told the children right from the start. From our initial meeting with them, we mentioned, “We don’t want to place your father on a pedestal since it could make things too simple.” He is like Superman; he is among the most attractive actors of his generation and continues to be so even now. James Gunn features him in this little teaser featurette what he did the other day. David Corenswet He has quite a challenging task ahead of him! This remarkable individual personified the concept of not only embodying superhero qualities but also true heroism. It would be simple enough to portray him as flawless. However, you soon discover that he had imperfections, acknowledging them openly too. For instance, he left his children behind. Thus, the focus was never on glossing over these aspects; instead, it was about illustrating how such actions affected several characters in our film—especially his own offspring. Matthew might have endured greater challenges compared to the rest. Others faced different hardships. Many movies require audiences to search deeply for the darker elements since the lighter ones aren’t always prominent. Yet here, due to the immense brightness—their accomplishments and the enduring legacy of this family even two decades posthumously—it stands out significantly. Their foundation remains an influential lighthouse in the realm of activism till today.

How would you describe his impact or what he left behind?

Ettedgui: We weren’t aiming to create a saint’s life portrayal. The movie wasn’t intended for the Reeve Foundation at all. However, we believed that this story remains highly relevant today, and since the Reeve Foundation is doing crucial work, a film of this nature could significantly boost their impact.

Bonhote: In the U.S., where over 350 million people reside, we discovered that when faced with severe conditions like breaking one’s back, disabilities, or paralysis, the sole organization to turn to is the Reeve Foundation. With today’s technological progressions, individuals now lead significantly longer lives even amidst grave impairments similar to those experienced by Chris. However, questions arise: how does someone return to work after such an ordeal? Where can they seek top-tier medical care or rehabilitation facilities? The Reeve Foundation addresses these needs. Consequently, the foundation has become deeply ingrained in societal consciousness due to its vital role.

Ettedgui: Another aspect that may appear less significant when compared but remains crucial is that Chris pioneered the superhero genre in cinema. His specific approach and the blend of humor with gravitas he brought to these roles were essential. We owe the existence of the current Marvel and DC universes to his contributions. This has significantly shaped modern filmmaking heritage.

So, what did you, as filmmakers, take away from this experience?

Bonhote: You’re posing this question more than eighteen months since the release of the movie, which places us at quite a different juncture. Had you asked around the time we completed filming, everyone was deeply immersed in the project, focusing intently on the artistic journey. Currently, though, one truly remarkable aspect stands out: just how profoundly it resonated with audiences. Initially, your aim is simply to create an outstanding film; yet, witnessing such significant technical accomplishments paired with the profound effect it had on viewers makes this experience uniquely impactful. For me personally, these moments may well be unparalleled.

Ettedgui: We hold firm belief in both cinema and storytelling—whether fictional or factual—as we firmly believe these mediums serve a genuine purpose. As Roger Ebert often mentioned, movies act as empathy machines; they enable viewers to experience emotions beyond their ordinary existence, thus altering how one perceives reality and personal relationships. This understanding drives our work. While not merely reducing it to just a means for this effect, we've consistently recognized the profound significance of such narratives—even when recounting age-old tales. It’s been twenty years since Christopher passed away, yet his message remains strikingly pertinent due to dramatic shifts in society over time. We aimed to tell stories resonating with contemporary audiences because those were the true rewards for us.

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