Two of DC's most iconic Super Heroes in pop-culture history are coming back to the Big Screen this November. Because each film is celebrating a major milestone anniversary, Superman: The Movie and Batman: Mask of the Phantasm will once again play in theaters across the country .
The well-known theater-event presenter, Fathom Events is teaming up with both Warner Bros. and DC, to present these two groundbreaking films to a whole new audience, and devoted fans alike. Director Richard Donner's legendary 1978, Superman: The Movie will screen in more than 500 theaters nationwide Sunday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 27, respectfully. While the revolutionary animated-adventure, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm will be presented for one night only, on Monday, November 12. Tickets on sale at FathomEvents.com. These two special presentations from Fathom Events celebrate the 40th anniversary of Superman and the 25th anniversary of Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the landmark film and the 80th anniversary of the beloved DC character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster, Fathom Events will present Superman in its original theatrical version, as audiences saw it upon its initial release in December 1978. A box-office sensation, Superman broke industry records and went on to gross more than $300 million worldwide, leading to three direct sequels. And, of course, helped to introduce the enormous possibility of comic-book film adaptations.
Christopher Reeve stars as Superman and Clark Kent. The incomparable cast includes Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, Gene Hackman as villainous Lex Luthor, Marlon Brando and Susannah York as Superman’s parents; Ned Beatty and Valerie Perrine as Luthor’s sidekicks; Jackie Cooper as Perry White; and Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter as Superman's adopted parents. Superman was written by Mario Puzo (talk about range, this is the same man who wrote The Godfather), David Newman, Leslie Newman and Robert Benton from a story by Mario Puzo. Accompanying the film will be a cinematic rarity: Max Fleischer’s animated Superman short Mechanical Monsters presented in movie theaters for the first time since its original release in 1941. The 10-minute, Technicolor cartoon is one of 17 animated shorts produced in the 1940s that were based on DC’s legendary hero.
Since its first appearance in 1993, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm has become a favorite of fans and critics alike. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm will still thrill fans 25 years after its initial release with a plot well suited for any superhero. In this tale the Dark Knight is set out a mission to clear his own name after vicious mob bosses are found murdered. This doesn't sound so bed until Batman realizes that the deeper he investigate the more fingers point toward him as the criminal. Told in a bold, memorable animated style, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm stars the voices of Kevin Conroy as Batman, Stacy Keach as Phantasm, Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred, Dana Delaney as Andrea Beaumont, and Mark Hamill as The Joker (yup, that Mark Hamill!). Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce W. Timm from a screenplay by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko and Michael Reaves. The feature will be presented with the hilarious 2010 Looney Tunes animated short Rabid Rider, starring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
“There are no bigger Super Heroes in the world than Batman and Superman, and these incredible cinematic adventures are true movie milestones,” said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events VP of Studio Relations. “Fathom Events is honored to be working with Warner Bros. and DC to return them to the silver screen for their anniversaries, and we can’t wait to share the excitement of these movies with fans of all ages.” Which is an understatement, truth be told. With so many superheroes out there, and so much excitement whirling around every new release, audiences will surely enjoy these "origin" films. After all, they are the ones that started the frenzy, and justifiably so.