The new Superman movie, starring David Corenswet and directed by James Gunn, is sweeping the box office. Fans are already loving the hopeful adaptation of the classic comic books, and with a $122-million debut, it’s only up, up, and away for the Man of Steel.
However, this isn’t the first Superman movie. That iteration was released in 1978, starring Christopher Reeve in the titular role, with a stacked supporting cast including Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, and Margot Kidder. The film received generally positive feedback and had several sequels before Zack Snyder got his hands on DC in 2013 with Man of Steel.
Smallville, Alta.
One of these sequels — Superman III — has a place in Alberta history. Back in 1982, High River, Alta., gave the mythic middle America vibes required of the fictional town that Superman is from. When you can’t get the waving wheat fields of Idaho or Iowa, Alberta is the next-best thing!
Calgary was also part of the film shoot and was used to represent Metropolis, the city where Superman currently lives. Although Superman III received tepid reviews, it played a pivotal role in Alberta’s film industry, proving the province was more versatile than just westerns and period pieces.
Green Lantern
Although 2025’s Superman was mostly shot in Georgia and Ohio, there’s still an Alberta connection. It may be difficult to recognize him underneath the iconic (and somewhat ghastly) bowl cut, but born-and-raised Edmonton star Nathan Fillion plays Green Lantern.
Fillion has a long history voicing Green Lantern characters in animation. He voiced Hal Jordan in the Emerald Knights movie in 2011, followed by five other movies and a collection of Robot Chicken specials. His casting as Guy Gardner, an Earth-based Green Lantern, in the newest Superman iteration is a cheeky nod to long-time fans. And really, what Canadian could be a better choice?
See what all the hype is about by checking out Superman at a theatre near you.
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