5 Roles That Christopher Reeve Declined After Superman

      Christopher Reeve became synonymous with Superman, and vice versa. Here are five roles the actor chose to decline — plus one he desired but couldn't secure.

      First and Foremost

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Christopher Reeve sought to avoid being typecast by exploring diverse roles. However, he remained wary of accepting parts that could potentially harm the reputation of the iconic character with which he was most associated.

      In his 1998 memoir, "Still Me," Reeve reflected on life before and after the 1995 horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed. He noted that following the success of "Superman" in 1978, “some producers wouldn’t cast me because I had played Superman, while others did so because of it.”

      Here are five roles he turned down.

      American Gigolo

      Richard Gere starred as the lead in American Gigolo. Paramount. – Credit: C/O

      Reeve mentioned he was offered the lead role in American Gigolo at Paramount after John Travolta dropped out. He declined the offer as the film required him to sign on in less than a week, and he expressed, “I wanted time to prepare.” The part eventually went to Richard Gere, who later claimed another role that Reeve had desired, as will soon be revealed.

      American Gigolo was later adapted into a Showtime series, with Jon Bernthal playing the mysterious Julian Kaye. It was canceled after one season.

      Also Read: All 8 Superman Movies Ranked

      The World According to Garp

      John Lithgow in The World According to Garp. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      “Then I was offered the role of Roberta, the ex-football player who underwent a sex-change operation in The World According to Garp,” Reeve recounted. He declined the role, stating it would be an “enormous stretch—for both me and my audience—following Superman.” He remarked, “The role made my friend John Lithgow a star.”

      Body Heat

      William Hurt in Body Heat. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      He was also approached for the lead in Body Heat but felt he wouldn’t be “convincing as a sleazy, small-town lawyer.” William Hurt certainly was. “My friend Bill Hurt was magnificent in that role.”

      Kathleen Turner delivered an impressive performance as well, embodying the 1980s update of the ’40s noir femme fatale, making it intriguing to consider how she would have interacted with the steadfast Reeve, known for exuding a sense of incorruptibility.

      The Bounty

      Mel Gibson in The Bounty. Orion. – Credit: C/O

      Reeve also rejected the role of Fletcher Christian in the 1984 remake of Mutiny on the Bounty, titled The Bounty. He wrote in "Still Me" that he deliberated for a week about joining an all-British cast in a part previously played by Clark Gable and Marlon Brando, opposite the highly regarded Anthony Hopkins, whom he thought would likely overshadow him on-screen. Ultimately, the role went to “a young Australian named Mel Gibson.”

      The Running Man

      Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man. Tri-Star Pictures. – Credit: C/O

      The now-defunct Los Angeles Herald-Examiner reported in 1985 that Christopher Reeve was originally cast as the lead in The Running Man. That role ultimately went to Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1987 dystopian classic. While it may not be one of Schwarzenegger’s most recognized roles, it has aged better than numerous '80s action films, presciently predicting the emergence of exploitative reality television.

      Notably, The Running Man is set to be remade, with Glen Powell currently in the spotlight on Netflix’s Hit Man.

      Meet the New Superman

      A24 – Credit: C/O

      As you may have heard, there’s a new Man of Steel — David Corenswet, who bears a resemblance to Reeve. Here are five projects to check him out in before he dons the cape and tights.

      That’s him above in A24’s Pearl.

      The One That Got Away

      Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. Buena Vista Pictures Distribution – Credit: C/O

      Richard Gere surfaced again in Reeve’s life when Reeve expressed interest in Pretty Woman — but was turned down. The film became a huge success and launched Julia Roberts into superstardom.

      Despite the roles he declined, portraying Superman ensured that Reeve's legacy would endure.

      Enjoyed this list of roles Christopher Reeve turned down after Superman?

      Orion – Credit: C/O

      You might also appreciate this collection of the Best Superhero Movies Before the MCU — at least one features Reeve. Hint, hint.

      Main image: Christopher Reeve in Superman. Warner Bros.