Superman returns to discover his 5-year absence has allowed Lex Luthor to walk free, and that those he was closest to felt abandoned and have moved on. Luthor plots his ultimate revenge that could see millions killed and change the face of the planet forever, as well as ridding himself of the Man of Steel.
Cinematography
That airplane rescue shot still slaps — pure visual poetry.
Acting
Kevin Spacey's Lex: campy, petty, and weirdly personal.
Score
John Williams' theme hits so hard you'll believe a man can fly.
Director
Bryan Singer
Brandon Routh
Clark Kent / Superman
Kate Bosworth
Lois Lane
Kevin Spacey
Lex Luthor
James Marsden
Richard White
Parker Posey
Kitty Kowalski
Frank Langella
Perry White
Sam Huntington
Jimmy Olsen
Eva Marie Saint
Martha Kent
Marlon Brando
Jor-El
Kal Penn
Stanford
Tristan Lake Leabu
Jason White
David Fabrizio
Brutus
Ian Roberts
Riley
Vincent Stone
Grant
Jack Larson
Bo the Bartender
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Brandon Routh beat out Henry Cavill for the role; Cavill got his shot seven years later. Hollywood loves a callback.
Singer treated this as a direct sequel to Richard Donner's 1978 film, literally ignoring Superman III and IV. Bold choice that aged divisively.
US
