Superman III was released on June 17, 1983, and was directed by Richard Lester. The movie stars Christopher Reeve reprising his role as Clark Kent/Superman, as well as Richard Pryor as Gus Gorman and Robert Vaughn as Ross Webster.
The movie begins with Superman stopping a group of terrorists from blowing up the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Afterward, he returns to Smallville to attend his high school reunion, where he reconnects with his former flame, Lana Lang (played by Annette O'Toole). Meanwhile, Ross Webster is a wealthy executive and business owner who is determined to take over the world. He hires the bumbling computer programmer, Gus Gorman, played by Richard Pryor, to help him with his nefarious plans.
Gus, who is initially unaware of his employer's evil intentions, is tasked with developing a synthetic form of Kryptonite. He succeeds, but the substance has unexpected psychological effects on Superman, causing him to become selfish, reckless, and cruel. Superman, affected by the kryptonite, engages in a fight with Clark Kent in a junkyard, which becomes a classic scene in the movie.
Meanwhile, Ross and Gus team up to create a powerful supercomputer called the Vulcan, which they use to control the world's oil supply. When Superman discovers their plan, he races to stop them, engaging in a final battle with the supercomputer.
Superman III had a mixed reception. While some praised Richard Pryor's performance, others criticized the movie for its comedic tone and lack of a compelling villain. However, it remains a classic among fans and one of Christopher Reeve's most memorable performances.