10 Superhero Movie Performances That Were Totally Oscar-Worthy

Much is made of the slightly ridiculous idea that Superman doesn’t need a mask because his glasses are his disguise, but there’s more to it than that. In certain versions of the comics, he’s more like Captain America pre and post serum, with the suit absorbing the sun’s power and giving him the rippling muscles he doesn’t usually have while walking around.

This is difficult and expensive to translate to film though, especially back in 1978 when Christopher first donned Superman’s cape and Clark’s glasses. This meant the pressure was all on Reeve to sell the illusion, and he got it note perfect.

As Clark his voice was higher, more nervous and rushed, his shoulders slumped, his body language jittery and nerdish. As Superman though, he transformed before our eyes. The hair and glasses changed yes, but the back was straight, the chest was broad and the voice was booming; Reeve was a comic book brought to life.

The movie was considerably ahead of its time, winning a Special Achievement Oscar for visual effects, with no such category recognised then. Had Reeve earned the nomination he deserved, there may have been less reservations in nominating stars from similar films in the years since.