Christopher Reeve's Surprising Rejection: The Stephen King Movie He Passed On

In a delightful twist of cinematic fate, the beloved documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is gearing up for a grander theatrical release on October 11, after a triumphant debut that had audiences clamoring for more. This film doesn’t just scrape the surface of Reeve's life; it actually digs deep into the rich tapestry of his existence, both the successes and the setbacks, before and after that fateful day on the horse. People might instantly recognize him as the man who donned the red cape, but let’s not forget—there was so much more to Christopher Reeve than just his legendary superhero persona.

Now, one must pause and consider just how many gems of Reeve's artistic prowess may have slipped under the radar. You see, while his portrayal of Superman sent shockwaves through Hollywood and made him a household name (a feat that surely requires its own celebratory confetti), he was also a man of considerable artistic integrity. This wasn’t a fellow who simply jumped on every buttoned-up role that came his way; oh no, he had standards. In fact, Reeve said “thanks, but no thanks” to a veritable treasure trove of iconic 80s films. I mean, can you imagine him in Romancing the Stone or Fatal Attraction? It’s like picturing a serene cat sitting beside an overly enthusiastic dog—charming chaos!

Yet, therein lies the drama. Chris had a penchant for turning down roles that he felt didn’t stretch him as an actor. Imagine the audacity of opting out of Lethal Weapon or declining Splash, simply because they didn’t spark enough intellectual fire within him. In his first memoir, Still Me, he candidly shared that he found many scripts to be “poorly constructed.” Oh, the nerve of it all! Who would have thought that beneath that superhuman exterior lay a discerning intellectual knight?

As delightful as it is to muse over Reeve's what-could-have-beens, nothing quite matches the chaos surrounding his departure from The Running Man. Yes, my friends, this film, based on a Stephen King novel but published under the very un-kingly pseudonym of Richard Bachman, was a sci-fi tale that whisked readers into a dystopian future—far from the cozy settings of his other works. The plot centers on Ben Richards, a desperately hungry man who finds himself in a deadly game show for a chance at a billion bucks. Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? But alas, what almost transpired with Reeve in the lead role similarly evokes the heartbreak of a lost opportunity.

The movie was initially meant to be a faithful adaptation. Can you just imagine? A subtle, heartfelt portrayal of a father struggling to provide in an absurd world! But lo and behold, after Reeve’s surprising decision to bow out, the production descended into a tempest of recasting, rewriting, and reimagining that turned it into an action-packed thrill ride, complete with a laugh-track twist. With Arnold Schwarzenegger stepping in as the new face of Ben Richards, the tone shifted dramatically from an everyman journey to pure action thrill that would no longer resonate with King’s deeply woven narrative.

So, now we’re left pondering: what could have been? I mean, if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that 1980s Arnold isn’t exactly the quintessential “relatable family man.” The original spark of Reeve’s character was tarnished, replaced with a chiseled, tough-as-nails exterior that wasn’t ever going to land at your local diner to sip coffee and commiserate over life’s woes.

But let's not wade too deep into the realm of regret. Christopher Reeve left behind a remarkable legacy, not merely as the stalwart superhero, but as an actor who dared to seek depth and enlightenment in a world keen on typecasting. As we anticipate Edgar Wright’s upcoming remake of The Running Man with Glenn Powell, I can’t help but hope it captures the heart of King’s vision—fingers crossed, with a sprinkle of Hollywood magic!