8 Movie Franchises That Should Have Quit While They Were Ahead

When It Should Have Quit: Superman II

He's so often dismissed thanks to first appearing over two decades before the modern superhero age really kicked off, but Christopher Reeve is one of the greatest superhero castings of all time, definitely in the top three. His Superman is absolutely perfect, imposing, heroic and an unrelenting passion for good. He's even better as Clark Kent, playing a totally different character with unique, meek mannerisms that take him far beyond a pair of glasses.

Reeve was solid throughout all four of his appearances as Superman, despite the linear reduction in movie quality (maybe not the Tower of Pisa-knocking evil version though), even The Quest For Peace which he admitted on set would be a little rubbish. And it's that problem, with the movies falling well beneath the central performance that may be why the actor's status as Superman is a little bit tarnished; only half of his outings are watchable (and with the Richard Lester cut of Superman II that's being generous).

There wasn't even really a reason to keep the franchise going on past II, with demand for those later, lesser films slight; fitting of the time, the franchise followed a law of diminishing returns, with each sequel making less than the last. With just a modicum of foresight the Salikinds (and later Cannon) could have given up and had a really special duology on their hands. Although if you're the sort to put Richard Pryor ahead of the Last Son of Krypton then maybe legacy isn't really on your mind.