Initially, Gene Hackman refused to cut off his mustache to play Lex Luthor. In early one-sheets of the movie, his face is featured with a mustache. Before director Richard Donner and Hackman met face-to-face, Donner proposed to Hackman that if he would cut his mustache, Donner would cut his too, and Hackman agreed.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078346/
While the Superman character will be coming to the second season of Supergirl, in the first year he was only seen through blurred-out images, CG trickery and as a 13-year-old Kal-El in the episode For The Girl Who Has Everything, based on the comic story by Alan Moore. Young actor Daniel DiMaggio snagged the role.
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/man-steel-50-actors-played-superman/
It is based on the DC Comics character of the same name and stars Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Glenn Ford, Phyllis Thaxter, Jackie Cooper, Trevor Howard, Marc McClure, Terence Stamp, Valerie Perrine, and Ned Beatty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(1978_film)
Teri Hatcher was cast as Lois, with Dean Cain taking on the role of Big Blue. Of Superman he reflected to geeknation, I modeled my Superman after Christopher Reeve. I thought he played that role fantastically, and as Clark Kent as well. I just didn't particularly love Clark Kent being the mealy-mouthed kind of guy.
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/man-steel-50-actors-played-superman/
The most expensive film made up to that point, with a budget of $55 million, Superman was released in December 1978 to critical acclaim and financial success, earning $300 million during its original theatrical run. Reviewers particularly praised Reeve's performance.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(1978_film)
The film depicts Superman's origin, including his infancy as Kal-El of Krypton and his youthful years in the rural town of Smallville. Disguised as reporter Clark Kent, he adopts a mild-mannered disposition in Metropolis and develops a romance with Lois Lane, while battling the villainous Lex Luthor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman_(1978_film)
Another actor who at one time came this close to playing Superman (in that case for McG), Henry Cavill actually went on to claim the part in 2013’s Man Of Steel, 2016’s Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice and next year’s Justice League.
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/man-steel-50-actors-played-superman/
Superman's first live action film appearance was in the movie serials (or weekly chapter plays) Superman (1948) and Atom Man Vs Superman (1950), with Kirk Alyn in the lead role. “My strong dancer’s legs helped me a great deal,” Alyn reflected.
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/man-steel-50-actors-played-superman/
Just before the destruction of the planet Krypton, scientist Jor-El sends his infant son Kal-El on a spaceship to Earth. Raised by kindly farmers Jonathan and Martha Kent, young Clark discovers the source of his superhuman powers and moves to Metropolis to fight evil. As Superman, he battles the villainous Lex Luthor, while, as novice reporter Clark Kent, he attempts to woo co-worker Lois Lane Written by Jwelch5742.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078346/
With all due respect to those who came before him and those who would don the cape after, to many Christopher Reeve remains the quintessential Man Of Steel, debuting in the role in Superman: The Movie (1978) and reprising it in Superman II (1981), Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace.
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/man-steel-50-actors-played-superman/
who starred in  superman
Christopher Reeve starred in Superman. Christopher Reeve is starred in superman.