Recently, we conducted a poll inviting our audience to share their thoughts on their all-time favorite Superman movie. It came as no surprise that the classic 1978 film, Superman: The Movie, emerged as the top choice among voters. Following closely behind were James Gunn’s modern interpretation of Superman, along with Man of Steel, and both editions of Superman II—the theatrical release and the much-discussed Donner Cut. Notably, Superman III (1983) was positioned at the bottom of the rankings, even trailing behind the notoriously panned Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Although Superman III grossed a respectable $59 million—a significant box office achievement for its time—it was deemed a substantial letdown, bringing in approximately half of what its predecessor, Superman II, had earned. Many fans and critics now concur that one of the film’s primary shortcomings was the overwhelming comedic presence of co-star Richard Pryor. His role was so dominant that the film often felt more like a Richard Pryor comedy rather than a true Superman adventure, which significantly affected its reception and legacy.
So, what led to the casting of Pryor in Superman III? In 1981, following a harrowing near-fatal incident involving freebasing, Pryor began to reestablish his public image, albeit while still appearing fragile. He made a notable appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, one of his staunchest supporters. During this candid interview, Carson inquired about the types of films that excited him, to which Pryor enthusiastically expressed his anticipation for Superman II. In a memorable moment, he passionately declared:
“I wanna see Superman II. That’s what I’m waiting on to see. Did you ever see Superman I? Remember the people in the glass? Well, he goes and gets them and brings them back to Earth accidentally. Four Supermen and one Superwoman. Oh, it’s gonna be good—the previews are great!”
The Salkinds, the producers behind the Superman franchise, were tuned in to Pryor’s interview. At that time, despite his personal struggles, Pryor had just starred in a succession of successful films, including the hit comedy Stir Crazy, solidifying his status as one of the biggest comedy stars globally. Recognizing the potential for his star power, the producers offered him an impressive $5 million to join the cast of the next Superman film. To maximize this investment, they elevated him to co-lead status, where he portrayed a computer genius who starts as a semi-villain but ultimately becomes integral to saving the day.
The outcome of this bold decision was a significant misfire both critically and commercially. Nevertheless, Pryor navigated through this setback relatively unscathed, continuing to star in several successful comedic films until his health declined due to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which ultimately led to his passing at the age of 65.
In his autobiography, Christopher Reeve reflected on the film, lamenting that it became “more of a Richard Pryor comedy than a proper Superman film.” While Reeve attributed much of the film’s shortcomings to the screenwriters David and Leslie Newman, who he believed frequently injected corny humor into the franchise, he particularly criticized one scene: the absurd moment when Pryor, draped in a pink blanket as a makeshift cape, skis off a rooftop, crashes into traffic, yet somehow emerges completely unscathed. It’s easy to understand Reeve’s frustrations regarding the film’s direction.
For further insights into the Superman III debacle and its impact on the franchise, don’t miss our Awfully Good episode featured below:
