Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is a 1987 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Superman, the sequel to Superman III (1983), it is the fourth mainline installment as well as the fifth installment overall in the Superman film series, and was the final appearance of actor Christopher Reeve as the title character. It was directed by Sidney J. Furie, written by Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal, and stars Reeve, Gene Hackman, Jackie Cooper, Marc McClure, Jon Cryer, Sam Wanamaker, Mark Pillow, Mariel Hemingway and Margot Kidder. Reeve agreed to return in exchange for a larger salary and limited creative control, including contributing to a script dealing with nuclear disarmament. It is the first film in the series not to have the involvement of Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind as producers. Shortly before the film's production, the film's producer, The Cannon Group, suffered a major financial crisis that forced major budget cuts, and 45 minutes of footage were deleted after negative test screenings. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was released on July 24, 1987. It received negative reviews from critics, citing poor special effects and boring action sequences. It underperformed at the box office, grossing $37 million on a $17 million budget. Plans for Superman V were cancelled, and no further Superman films were released until Superman Returns in 2006.
Plot Superman saves the crew of a Russian space station before uncovering the capsule that brought him to Earth and retrieving a green Kryptonian energy module. A recording left by his mother Lara reveals the module's power can only be used once. Returning to Metropolis, he discovers that the Daily Planet has been taken over by tabloid tycoon David Warfield, who replaces Perry White with his daughter Lacy Warfield, who develops a crush on Clark Kent. Meanwhile, Superman seeks guidance in the Fortress of Solitude after learning of escalating tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union over nuclear weapons. He later addresses the United Nations and announces his plan to rid the world of all nuclear arms. Meanwhile, Lenny Luthor orchestrates a jailbreak to free his uncle, Lex Luthor, from prison. The pair travels to Metropolis, where Lex steals a strand of Superman's hair to create a genetic matrix. Partnering with black market arms dealers, Lex attaches the matrix to a nuclear missile. When Superman intercepts the missile and hurls it into the Sun, the resulting energy discharge creates Nuclear Man, a superhuman entity. Nuclear Man returns to Earth, aligning with Lex, who reveals that Nuclear Man becomes inactive without sunlight. Superman confronts Luthor after learning what he had done, spurring Luthor to direct Nuclear Man to attack. The two battle across the world until they reach New York City. Superman stops Nuclear Man from throwing the Statue of Liberty into Metropolis, but this distracts him enough for Nuclear Man to slash him across the back with his toxic claws. Superman develops radiation sickness due to a shock from Nuclear Man and is defeated by being cast away. Nuclear Man returns to Luthor, and they conspire to future victories. Superman is badly hurt by the radiation poisoning, but he retrieves the Kryptonian energy module and uses it to heal himself. Superman confronts Nuclear Man in a second battle that results in them fighting on the Moon and Superman being driven into the Moon's surface. Nuclear Man, having taken an interest in Lacy, kidnaps her and takes her into outer space. Superman frees himself and creates a solar eclipse by moving the Moon out of orbit, depriving Nuclear Man of sunlight. Superman rescues Lacy and ultimately destroys Nuclear Man by trapping him in the core of a nuclear power plant. This converts Nuclear Man into electrical energy for the power grid. Back in Metropolis, Perry White secures a loan to regain a controlling interest in the Daily Planet, reducing Warfield to a minority shareholder and ensuring the paper's independence. Superman apprehends the Luthors, placing Lenny in Boys Town and returning Lex to prison. In a closing speech, Superman acknowledges that world peace cannot be achieved overnight but remains committed to guiding humanity toward that goal.
Cast
Production
Development and casting Alexander Salkind and his son Ilya, the producers of the Superman series, planned to produce a fourth Superman film if Superman III grossed at least $40 million. The film received an unexpectedly negative reaction but still grossed $80.2 million. Christopher Reeve was also hesitant to return to the series as Superman, fearing typecasting. The Salkinds announced plans for a fourth film regardless, but after the commercial failures of Supergirl and their next film Santa Claus: The Movie caused them financial strain they began to consider if the franchise had run its course. After negotiations during the 38th Cannes Film Festival, Ilya Salkind agreed to sell the Superman franchise to Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus of The Cannon Group, Inc. for $5 million in June 1985. The studio enticed Reeve to return by offering him $6 million, financing for his pet project Street Smart, and approval over the story and director. Reeve pitched a storyline focused on the nuclear arms race in protest of the breakdown of the Reykjavik Summit and US President Ronald Reagan's military buildup and skepticism towards arms control. His story was accepted, and he was also a candidate for director. Although he was allowed to direct some second unit scenes, he was ultimately deemed too inexperienced for the full-time job. Richard Donner claimed in the commentary for Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut that Cannon had asked him to return to the series, but he declined due to a scheduling conflict with Lethal Weapon. Wes Craven was originally hired by Cannon Films to direct the film, but he and Reeve did not get along well and Reeve demanded that a new director be brought in. Although Reeve recommended Ron Howard, Sidney J. Furie was hired.
Filming Production of Superman IV began in 1986. In his autobiography, Still Me, Reeve described filming the movie:
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