Christopher Reeve wasn’t impressed by Marlon Brando on the set of 1978’s ‘Superman’

When Christopher Reeve was cast as Kal-El, the Last Son of Krypton, in the guise of Clark Kent (but best known the world over as Superman!) in the 1978 feature film Superman: The Movie, he was a relative unknown. The Juilliard-trained actor had appeared on the CBS soap opera Love of Life and in several plays and musicals (including the Broadway production of A Matter of Gravity opposite Katharine Hepburn), but to most, he was a new (and almost impossibly handsome) face when he flew across the screen in Richard Donner’s superhero flick.

Instantly celebrated for his easy charm, strong jawline, and the way in which he filled out his admittedly ludicrous Kryptonian garb, many did not realize that Reeve had studied with John Houseman and performed Shakespeare. (And Arthur Miller and Noël Coward and was in The Threepenny Opera.)

The guy was a bona fide thespian, but still an eager-to-learn 24-year-old when cast as the Man of Steel. One would surmise he was overjoyed upon learning that the great Marlon Brando — one of the most celebrated and influential performers of the 20th century — would also appear in the film. But that wasn’t quite how it all went down.

Brando, already a two-time Oscar winner, was by this stage of his career known for being a little, um, eccentric on set. It was agony for the crew, but the final results would always make it seem worth it. (You can check out the documentary Hearts of Darkness to see what Francis Ford Coppola had to go through to capture Brando’s performance in Apocalypse Now, from around the same period.)

Superman: The Movie was made during a different age, when comic books were considered the lowest form of entertainment, despite having a major cultural resonance. To ensure that the work was taken seriously, the producers knew they had to be strategic with their casting. Hence, impressive, well-regarded players were sprinkled throughout the company, like Gene Hackman, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, and, the biggest casting coup of all, Brando.

In a widely reported story for the time, the Godfather actor received a paycheck of $3.7 million for playing Jor-El in Superman. Plus, he secured 11.75 percent of the movie’s gross profits. This added up to $19 million — which is over $94 million today. Reeve, who carries the movie on his strong, muscular shoulders, made $250,000 — not Smallville chicken feed for a newcomer, but quite striking in comparison to Brando’s haul.

Brando’s millions are even more remarkable when you realize the dude is only in a few scenes!

He was also guaranteed top billing, and (this is the best part) he was deliberately difficult on set, because if shooting went overtime, he made more money. That accusation comes from a young Cary Elwes, who worked as a production assistant on the project, and he had to lure Brando out of his trailer with food. According to Terence Stamp, who appeared opposite Brando as General Zod, the On the Waterfront star made zero attempt to learn his lines.

“Everything has a price in the marketplace,” Brando said about his astronomical payday for 20 minutes of screen time in the 143-minute movie. “So do cars, so do hula hoops, so do useless endeavors.” Gee whiz, talk about the love of the craft!

And that’s what ultimately irked Reeve.

Around three and a half years after the release of Superman: The Movie (and only a few short months after both Somewhere in Time and Superman II), Reeve was out promoting his work in Sidney Lumet’s film adaptation of Ira Levin’s play Deathtrap. The extremely clever and knotty movie, in which Reeve starred opposite Michael Caine and Dyan Cannon, was a substantial departure for him — allowing him the opportunity to tell the world, “Look, I love being Superman, but I’m more than just a man in tights.”

Reeve’s appearance on Late Night With David Letterman is one of the all-time great talk show interviews, because he threads the needle perfectly. He doesn’t put his previous work down at all, but is eager to let people know he has more to offer.

When Letterman lobbed a typical Hollywood softball — “What was working with Marlon Brando like?” — Reeve did something almost unheard of in these situations. He was honest.

“I don’t worship at the altar of Marlon Brando,” he said, then charged the Viva Zapata and A Streetcar Named Desire legend of copping out.

“He could really be inspiring a whole generation of actors by continuing to work,” he said, exuding Superman levels of Boy Scout-ness. “But what happened is the press loved him whether he was good, bad, or indifferent. People thought he was this institution no matter what he did. So he doesn’t care anymore.”

He continued, “I just think it would be sad to be 53 or whatever he is and not give a damn. I just think it’s too bad that the man has been kinda forced into that hostility.”

Letterman acted a little surprised, mumbled over himself, then mock announced, “Well, he’s here tonight, Chris!” with absolutely perfect timing.

Reeve laughed at Letterman’s joke, but added, “That’s something I would say to him, as well.”

When Letterman asked if it was, at least, exciting to work with Brando, Reeve responded, “Not really, no. He took the two million and ran.”

Gosh, if only there was a way for you to watch this old interview from 1982 somehow. If a Kryptonian nourished by the yellow sun of Earth could somehow spin us all back on our axis to reverse time… but wait! What’s this? A YouTube clip? Wow, and it’s even all cued up to the fireworks. Enjoy!

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.