FAQ

As Christopher Reeve's fame greatly increased after the first film and his name was elevated to before the title here (in the first film he was billed 3rd, after the title) it would have been just as appropriate for Margot Kidder (also elevated to new fame levels) to receive the same treatment (in the first film she was billed 8th, among the alphabetically listed supporting cast) - but this didn't happen. Apparently it was originally intended for her to be billed fourth, just after Reeve, in the first movie (see the teaser 'Coming this Christmas' poster for evidence of this), but somewhat late during the production she gave an interview to the press where she discussed the relationship between Lois and Superman on a somewhat salacious level, which apparently upset the Salkinds enough for them to demote her to be billed alphabetically with the supporting cast. So that, plus Kidder's disagreements with the Salkinds over the firing of Richard Donner in favour of hiring Richard Lester as the new director, meant she was not given better billing in the sequel (despite her role being much greater).

Billing is sometimes decided through agent negotiations, however a good agent can only do so much when the producers have a grudge against an actor.

Note: For this list only the creators of the characters first appearances are listed. As with all comic book characters, Superman and his supporting cast have had several reinventions and different contributions from different writers. Theses include different iterations in different mediums that all have added different concepts to the overall mythology of the characters.

Obviously theirs Clark Jerome Kent/Superman/Kal-El of Krypton, called Clark Kent or Superman on screen. He made his first appearance in the comic story "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed" from Action Comics #1 (June 1938) by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Fun fact his middle name Jerome is named after writer Jerry Siegel's full forename.

Lois Joanne Lane, called just Lois Lane on screen. She made his first appearance in the comic story "Superman, Champion of the Oppressed" from Action Comics #1 (June 1938) by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. Fun fact her middle name Joanne is named after Joanne Siegel wife of Jerry Siegel who the two met when she modelled for artist's Joe Shuster's drawing for the characters of Lois herself.

Alexander Joseph "Lex" Luthor, called Lex Luthor on screen. He made his first appearance in the comic story "Superman: "Europe at War (Part II)" from Action Comics #23 (April 1940) by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, as a character originally called Alexei Luthor. Fun fact his middle name Joseph is named after artist Joe Shuster's full forename.

Perry White, who was created for the radio serial The Adventures of Superman, voiced by actor Julian Noa. He appeared in the second episode, "Clark Kent, Reporter", which aired on February 14, 1940. He transitioned into the comic books later that year, appearing in the comic story "The Three Kingpins of Crime" from Superman #7 (November 1940). He was created by radio writer George Putnam Ludlam.

James Bartholomew "Jimmy" Olsen, who first appeared as an unnamed "office boy" with a bow tie in a brief appearance in the comic story "Superman's Phony Manager" from Action Comics #6 (November 1938). Whilst the character was first introduced with his name Jimmy Olsen in the radio show The Adventures of Superman on April 15, 1940 in the episode "Donelli's Protection Racket", mainly "so the Man of Steel would have someone to talk to". With Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster creating and drawing the physical appearance and giving him a bigger personality, the character moved from the radio show back into the comics in 1941, first appearing as a named character in the story "Superman versus The Archer" in Superman #13 (November-December 1941). But after a handful of appearances, he disappeared again. In late 1953, Jack Larson played the character on the Adventures of Superman television show where he was referred to as "Jim Olsen", the character was revived in the Superman comics after a 10-year absence and then given his own title.

Jor-El (Richard Donner cut) and Lara Lor-Van (Richard Lester cut) , who both made their first appearance in the Superman comic strip (January 1939). They were created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster.

and Dru-Zod, referred to as General Zod on screen. He made his first appearance in Adventure Comics #283 (April 1961). He was created by writer Robert Bernstein and artist George Papp.

All other characters were created by the films writers.

She obviously feels some pain from the bite and then roasts the snake with her heat beams but what likely happened was that her powers had not fully taken hold so the density of her skin -- like that of Superman and the others -- was not fully developed yet. However, the snake's venom apparently had no effect.

No one has answered this question yet.

Not exactly. The cellophane "S" logo and the multiple holographic projections were traps Superman had prepared for the villains. This is confirmed by a line from the shooting script: "Zod begins to realize that Superman, on his home turf, has powers and devices at his command beyond their comprehension."

As for the villains, the lasers they shoot were intended as heat vision, while their "disappearing" power was not teleportation but super-speed. Although it was written as such in the script, these powers were not accurately depicted on screen.

Yes, but it was rarely used and later dropped.

While not specifically stated, it is implied that he drained the power of the green crystal to restore his powers. In the screenplay, and as originally filmed, Jor-El used the remainder of his life force (from that crystal) to give his abilities once again. This was finally shown in Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006).

A comparison between the Theatrical Version and the Richard Donner Cut is more than difficult, as both version are very different from each other. Not only the usual additional scenes were added, it is almost a completely new movie. Parts of the story are shown at completely different points in time, other sequences were completely removed and some new sequences were added. In total the Donner Cut is approx. 11 minutes shorter than the Theatrical Version.

Due to the humanisation process being spread out all over the vast interior of the Fortress of Solitude, rather than heavily concentrated into one small chamber as it was for Superman himself, it is feasible to conclude that the pain inflicted would be far less noticeable to them.