Margot Kidder Once Called Henry Cavill a Sexier Superman Than Christopher Reeve
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Margot Kidder, forever remembered as Lois Lane in Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) and its sequels, had a unique perspective on the men who donned the cape. While her on-screen partnership with Christopher Reeve remains one of cinema’s most iconic pairings, Kidder admitted in interviews later in life that she found Henry Cavill—who took on the role decades later in Man of Steel (2013)—to be the sexier Superman.
“A Big Steaming Heap of Sexuality”
In a candid interview with MTV News following Cavill’s debut, Kidder described the British actor in glowing terms:
“He’s got a sexuality! As wonderful as Christopher Reeve was — and he was wonderful and perfect — he was not exactly a big steaming heap of sexuality. And this Cavill really is.”
She even referred to Cavill as “heaven,” noting that his physical charisma gave the modern Superman a magnetism she felt Reeve’s portrayal lacked. Beyond Superman, she confessed to being enamored with Cavill’s earlier work, particularly his performance in The Tudors: “I loved him on The Tudors. I couldn’t get enough of him.”
Reeve’s Superman: The Gold Standard
Yet for all her admiration of Cavill’s sex appeal, Kidder remained firmly loyal to Christopher Reeve’s Superman. In multiple interviews, including with HeyUGuys, she emphasized that Reeve embodied the essence of the character in ways Cavill’s darker, brooding version did not.
“I think the directors were good, the actors were good, but the basic focus wasn’t there,” she said of Man of Steel. Kidder criticized Warner Bros. for tailoring the reboot toward millennial audiences with what she saw as cynical studio decisions. Despite her praise for Cavill’s performance, she argued that no film could recapture the spirit and narrative clarity of the Reeve era.
Admiration and Critique
Kidder’s stance reveals a nuanced perspective: she admired Cavill’s allure but felt Reeve’s Superman remained unmatched in storytelling and heart. As reported by Fandomwire, she was vocal about her disapproval of certain creative choices in Zack Snyder’s vision, including what she saw as regressive elements reminiscent of weaker sequels from her own Superman tenure.
Her commentary reflected a dual loyalty—personal appreciation for Cavill’s sex appeal but a professional and nostalgic commitment to Reeve’s portrayal. As one Spanish outlet, Tomatazos, noted: “Kidder permanece fiel al Superman clásico.”
A Lasting Debate
Kidder’s remarks highlight an enduring debate among Superman fans: whether the character should be defined by Reeve’s idealism or Cavill’s modern intensity. While Kidder was willing to crown Cavill as the sexier of the two, her heart ultimately belonged to the Superman she shared the screen with—Christopher Reeve, whose boyish charm and moral clarity made him, in her eyes, the definitive Man of Steel.
Would you like me to frame this piece as more of a nostalgic tribute to Kidder and Reeve (with Cavill as a contrast) or as a pop-culture debate piece (sex appeal vs storytelling across eras)?
