LOS ANGELES – November 18, 2015 — (Gephardt Daily) — It’s a bird, it’s a plane no… it’s one of the most iconic costumes in cinema history.
The ‘Superman’ costume warn by the late Christopher Reeve for the film “Superman: The Movie” in 1978, is hitting the auction block at Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Although the costume does not have the cape, the tunic does feature the Man of Steel’s famous gold and red “S” sewn onto the front.
The bidding will start at $50,000 with experts expecting the costume to top out at $80,000.
The costume was designed by Academy Award-winning costume designer Yvonne Blake. It was constructed by Noel Howard for London-based Bermans and Nathans.
According to Richard Donner, director of the 1978 film, when Reeve won the role he refused to have ‘muscles’ sewn into the suit in the attempt to look bigger.
He instead he worked out, bulked up and trained with and Star Wars actor Dave “Darth Vader” Prowse for several months to prepare for the part.
Reeve played ‘Superman’ four times throughout his career.
Reeve became a quadriplegic in 1995 after falling from his horse during an equestrian competition. He later became a public advocate for spinal cord research before he eventually died in 2004 at the age of 52.
