The Best Thing About Each Live-Action Superman

(Christopher Reeves to current)

Christopher Reeves - The Hope

1978 - 1987

This legend is arguably the most iconic Superman of all time. His superman glistens with optimism and positive energy. 

Reeve’s played an excellent Clark Kent. If you look closely at his version of the reporter, you wouldn’t find a hulking man-mountain underneath the classes and tie. You would find a very clumsy, bumbling and mild mannered man (the perfect disguise). 

Best;

• Legacy

• Music

Dean Cain - The Clark/The Reporter 

1993 - 1997 

Dean Cain starred in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. What stood out to me was not his Superman, but his Clark Kent. When I think about his show, I remember interesting episodes that required a lot Clark Kent footwork. I really enjoyed the small ways he used his powers during his investigations and in his day-to-day life. It made us Animenians wonder - How would you use your superpowers at work? 

Cain gave us a great look into Superman’s life as a reporter and though I don’t remember many of his villains, I definitely remember his Clark’s investigative reporting.  Dean Cain, your friendly neighborhood Superman. 

Best :

• Investigative Reporter lifestyle

Tom Welling - The Brave/The Farmboy

2001 - 2011

Tom Welling’s Smallville may be the most beloved Superman live-action content beside Christopher Reeves' Superman. 

We have titled this Superman as ‘The Brave’. This is our choice because most of Smallville was focused on the teenage years of Clark Kent, and as a young man he faced endless challenges even before donning the cape and boots. It was inspiring to see a teenager accept the truth about himself and confront endless adversaires.

The back drop of Smallville brings the countryside vybz to the screen. Tom Welling embodies the farmboy energy really well. Out of all the Superman actors, he felt like a genuine countryside fellow that appreciated the simple things in life.

It was also interesting to see how his feelings developed from Lana Lang to Lois Lane to give us the legendary duo.

Best:

• Opening theme (somebody saaaaaaaaveee meeee....)

• Lex

• Villans

• Stories

• Supporting Heroes (other than Henry Cavill)

  
  

Brandon Routh - The Dead Plant/The Art

2006 - 2019

Brandon's Superman may have the smallest reputation on the list so it might be easier to look at his Superman turned out this way:

Weaknesses

1. Superman Returns was written to be a sequel to Reeves's Superman IV, detailing his return from deep space and the continuation of his adventures on Earth. I believe this limited the the grandure of the film as it was set in a Christopher Reeve's time period which was basically old-school. It almost looks and feels like a Film Noir.

2. The lack of physical challenges for Routh's Superman contributed to a film not being a big enough spectacle even though the technical capabilites were there in 2006.

Strengths

• I think Brandon Routh has the best flight scenes of all time.

• Great Suit

• Aesthetically, Superman Returns in crisp and beatuful. Colour tone wise, it may be a mix of Zak Snyder's DC and the (anticipated) brighter look of James Gunn DC.

  Best;

  - Flight scenes

Henry Cavill - The Bold / The Alien

2013 - 2022

Henry Cavill descended from the stars to give us the most recent era of Superman. After years of Superman content to learn from, his superman was well-rounded as Clark and Supes.

He did not have the same aura of hope as his predecessors and this brings us to the reason why - The Alien (the other title we have bestowed). Henry's Superman was set in a real-world Earth and Superman's appearances felt like something from a Sci-Fi epic. This does not take away from Cavill's Superman at all and infact makes his iteration more unique as a true alien. I could see him being called Kal-El all throught his time as the man in Blue.

The Bold is the other title we (The Animenains) chose because something about him felt like he was feeling himself post Man of Steel. He had an aura of supreme confidence anytime he appeared as superman. Reember that Steppenwolf moment? "Not impressed smh."

Best:

• Action scenes

• Suit

• Justice League

Tyler Hoechlin - The Man

2016 - 2024

Tyler Hoechlin's Superman had the most unique personal setting compared to all his predecessors. His story is set after the golden years of Superman and Lois and they are well known across the world as famous reporters. They now even have teenage sons and have moved back to Smallville.

We gave this Superman the title 'The Man' because he gave the most outside of the suit. He was nuturing father, a loving husband and a loyal friend. He gives considerable depth to Superman, who we often regard as unfallable. He may be the most humble and nerdy Superman of all time, his interactions with people bring out his humanity.

David Conrenswet - The New

2025 - onwards

From interviews with James Gunn, I expect the hope of Reeves', the Clark of Tyler Hoechil and the The Bold of Henry Cavill.