With this week’s release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” opening in theatres around the world this week, The Hollywood Reporter has delved into the archives and uncovered an interview in which Darth Vader talks about his time helping Superman get into shape.
The “Darth Vader” in question is of course actor David Prowse, who was the man inside the Darth Vader costume in the original “Star Wars” films (James Earl Jones provided the voice). The “Superman” he trained was none other than Christopher Reeve, who director Richard Donner described as a “skinny little kid” when he cast him in the role for “Superman: The Movie” in 1977.
As a bodybuilder and weight-training instructor, Prowse received a call from Donner asking him to train Reeve over a six week period to help him bulk up for the role of the Man of Steel.
“He was fantastic. He was a very lovely person,” Prowse said of Reeve. “We were like brothers, we got along so well together. And during the course of the period I had him, I took him from 170 pounds when we started and he was 212 [pounds] when he went into the suit.”
In an interview done while he was training, Reeve said he ate four meals while on a high protein diet and he took vitamins.
“The thing is, on this part particularly, you have to start from the outside and work in,” Reeve said then. “You can do all the interior work you want to do, and it still isn’t going to get you to Superman if you don’t have the physical strength to go with it.”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Artwork by Alex Ross
I miss Chris.
Me too. In my opinion, Reeve will always be the best Superman. And in my opinion, he is Superman.
Yes……as far as yesteryear goes. But Zack Snyder’s version is much more relateable to today’s reality.
As I said before in my own opinion, Christopher Reeve is Superman. I’m not looking for a superman I can relate to, I’m looking for a superman I can look up to. And Christopher reeve is the only one who is able to do that for me.
Not only more relateable but but just a better and cooler Superman, more realistic. Henry to me embodies Superman, Chris … he was a hokey Superman, much like Adam West was Batman.
Everyone has there own idea of who Superman is. For me it is Reeve. For others it might be another actor. Everyone has an opinion on who they like as the man of steel.
Now wait a second on that! Adam W’s Batman was the epitome of hokey-ness. But back then even color TV wasn’t in everyones living room. CR wasn’t hokey but it was made for the times, 1978! STM is still watchable today but Batman from that era is cringe worthy and a lesson in endurance to watch.
I think the Adam West version was meant to be funny, and entertaining. I don’t think there was suppose to be any real seriousness to it. With all the ” bonk, wham, and pow” fight scenes they had. If I recall correctly, Batman had shark repellent in an episode. I did find that series funny. Adam West version isn’t the one I liked the most, but his was a good batman for his time, and he made lot of people happy, and they enjoyed his performance. I think that’s cool.
It really depends on the viewer. For some it may be Christopher Reeve,Tom Welling, or Brandon Routh on who is the best superman. Others may say it’s George Reeves,Dean Cain, Tyler Hoechlin, or even Henry Cavill.
As I said before it depends on who the viewer thinks is the best Superman. For me, Reeve will always be the Best Superman. Others may have a different opinion, that’s fine. I can only speak for myself when I say I think that Christopher Reeve’s version is the best.
Well, Superman & Star Wars. I must admit that after watching SW 8 even Batman v Superman looks great to me.
I should have used the money to watch again Justice League.
Totally agree, Disney has completely butchered the Star Wars methos, The Last Jedi is by far the worst Star Wars movie, ever.
Can’t lay that on Disney, Lucas was doing a fine job of it on his own long before Disney bought the franchise.
I don’t agree completely with you. The Ep.1/2/3 trilogy had a (very) bad storytelling but the general idea was great. And most of all: Lucas was well aware about the extended SW world and made the movies coherent with that. There was a large mythos forged through decades and didn’t dissappoint the fan base (who are by far the main viewers of the movies). The problem in the last episodes is the complete opposite: it has good storytelling but the story behind it is awful. Disney has completely wrecked all that mythos and thus angered the fan base (that like… Read more »
Episodes 1, 2 and 3 are gold compared to the dark crap-fest that is TLJ. And let me throw in Rogue One in there too. That movie was a clear example of 2 different directors, something that JL was pounded on.
JL was a much more enjoyable film than what TLJ was. And Disney/Lucasfilm are not exactly making the best decisions with the SW brand. But of course you wont hear them getting “overly critiqued” like any DC property.
I couldn’t agree more with you.