Original: Richard Donner directed the film , which stars Christopher Reeve as Superman , as well as Gene Hackman , Margot Kidder , Marlon Brando , Glenn Ford , Phyllis Thaxter , Jackie Cooper , Marc McClure , Valerie Perrine and Ned Beatty .
Simplified: The movie starred Christopher Reeve , Margot Kidder , Marlon Brando , Gene Hackman , Ned Beatty , and Jackie Cooper .