The appearance, which he described with great humility in an impromptu street interview on TMZ as a “blink and you’ll miss it” cameo, was filmed on July 2, 2024, in downtown Cleveland. Onlookers caught a glimpse of the action and a sincere hug from director James Gunn.
Rumors that Will Reeve, an actual journalist and correspondent with ABC News, might have art imitate his life began to swirl immediately, but he himself has been careful not to reveal any spoilers about his role.
As recently as Sept. 25, during an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, he could only tease, “They sent me a page of the script, and every single thing except for my tiny little bit was redacted, so I have no idea what I was doing. I know I showed up and that I’m far more Clark Kent in this scenario than I am Superman.”
Variety.com went on record on July 2, stating he “will make a cameo playing a TV reporter in the upcoming DC Studios movie.” Then, in a follow-up article on July 18, it chose to phrase the statement slightly less definitively, softening the statement to “…rumor has it his ‘Superman’ cameo is that of a TV reporter.”
Will’s legacy is no doubt familiar to most of the world. His father, Christopher Reeve, is known across the globe both for his character-defining embodiment of the man of steel in four Superman films and his personal courage in turning a tragic horse riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down at the age of 42 into a symbol of strength and hope for persons with spinal injuries.
This newest entry into the Superman film franchise is being directed by James Gunn, who ironically originally titled the film “Superman: Legacy.” Although it has since been renamed simply “Superman,” many Reeve fans may take comfort in knowing that although Chris is gone, having his son in the movie ensures his legacy will be physically and metaphorically there.
Gunn, who has long been public about his love for Reeve’s hope-filled characterization in Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman: The Movie,” was also at Will’s side recently at the New York premiere of the documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” and has been a huge supporter of that film. The documentary, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, chronicles the joys and sorrows of the Reeve family, from Christopher’s earliest years to his three surviving children taking his cause after his passing to help thousands walk again. It was recently picked up for wide distribution by Gunn and his co-chair and co-CEO of DC Studios, Peter Safran.
When asked how the new movie cameo came about, Will referenced Gunn’s support.
“I know the folks making the [“Superman”] film,” he said. “They’ve been so kind to me and my family, and I had a free day, so we made it out. It was a really great experience.”
What was that experience, exactly? Could audiences be so lucky as to have another Reeve play a mild-mannered reporter?
We’ll all have to wait and see. Or at least keep reading the Daily Planet.
“Superman” will be released July 11, 2025.
“Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” will be in theaters on October 11, 2024.
