20 Things You Didn't Know About Superman

1. Superman is the second-most published comic book character ever, behind Batman.
2. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster were in high school when they originally created Superman as a villain bent on world domination. Once the character was changed into the hero we all know and love, DC Comics bought the rights for a whopping $130.
3. Superman's alias, Clark Kent, is a combination of the names of actors Clark Gable and Kent Taylor. The character is based on silent film actor Harold Lloyd. There is a debate as to which personality the character identifies most with: Superman or Clark Kent. I honestly never figured this would a be a problem.
4. Contrary to popular belief, the planet Krypton does not breed super humanoids. On planets that orbit red suns, like Krypton, Superman is utterly powerless; however, on Earth and other planets with yellow suns, his cells absorb the solar power and voila! He's super powerful.
5. Originally, Superman couldn't fly. It wasn't until the cartoons and radio shows came along that the Man of Steel was given this superpower. The comics officially followed suit in 1941.
6. In 1945, the US government investigated editorial offices when a Superman newspaper strip showed the hero visiting an atom-smashing cyclotron. The government was still developing the atomic bomb at the time and officials feared that there was a possible leak.
7. The "S" on Superman's chest has meant many things in different comics, TV shows, and movies. Sometimes it's a family crest, sometimes a symbol of hope; but very rarely is it actually meant to be an initial. Still, it's one of the most recognizable symbols in the world, and drawing an "S" on your chest means "Superman" in the American Sign Language.
8. In almost all of her incarnations, Lois Lane is a hard-hitting journalist who ignores Clark Kent's advances while drooling over Superman, but the Supes/Lois/Clark love triangle isn't all that fictional. The real woman who first posed for Lois' character design was romantically involved with both of Superman's creators.
9. Robert Redford was the first choice to portray the Man of Steel in the first Superman film in 1978 before Christopher Reeves was eventually cast. Bruce Jenner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sylvester Stallone all expressed interest in playing the role. Unfortunately, this isn't a joke.
10. Reeves was not seriously considered for the title role until he bulked up. As filming began, he continued training with Dave Prowse (aka Darth Vader), and became so jacked that they had to reshoot earlier footage.
11. Gene Hackman played Lex Luthor in the 1978 film, but refused to go bald for part. Producers had his hair styled differently in each scene to imply he was wearing a wide range of wigs.
12. In the 1990s, Warner Bros. attempted several approaches for a new Superman film, including one that had Tim Burton, fresh off his success with the Batman series, at the helm. Nicholas Cage was cast to play Jor-El, Superman's father. Although the film was never made, Nicholas was still paid $20 million.
13. Teri Hatcher portrayed Lois Lane in Lois & Clark from 1993-1997. In 2010, she made a cameo appearance in Smallville as Lois' deceased mother. Sorry, but she'll always be Susan Mayer in my heart!
14. Superman's biggest weakness is Kryptonite, but the comics have established numerous kinds of the metal that have different effects. A pink one is implied to turn Superman gay. I gotta get my hands on some of that!
15. Speaking of the gays, Marlon Brando played Jor-El in the first Superman movie. He was paid $3.7 million for two weeks' work and refused to memorize his lines. He also insisted that he only provide the character's voice, and that Jor-El's physical presence be that of a suitcase or bagel. No joke.
16. Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, who play Superman and Lois Lane in Man of Steel, respectively, both auditioned for their same roles in 2006's Superman Returns.
17. Kara Zor-El is the Supergirl most of us are familiar with, but three different female Superman counterparts appeared in the comics prior to Kara's 1959 debut.
18. During the Holocaust, DC Comics edited out the words "Jew" and "Jewish" from all Superman stories. Even in 1998, when they printed a comic in which Superman travels back in time to confront the evils of the Holocaust, the words were banned.
19. Superman has not only fought Batman and Marvel Comics hero Spider-Man in the comics, but was even pitted against Muhammad Ali in a male ego pissing contest to see who's the better fighter. (Superman deactivated his powers for a fair fight and lost.)
20. Superman's vintage catchphrase, "Truth, justice, and the American way," used to just be "truth and justice." The American way was added during World War II.