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The Superhero Casting Call

It’s a battle for celluloid supremacy—and one of Hollywood’s most bankable genres

Since Christopher Reeve leapt into the air in 1978’s Superman, the superhero film has been one of Hollywood’s most bankable genres. The 96 superflicks that have followed have grossed more than $10.8 billion. Last year they accounted for 12 percent of U.S. box office receipts, up from 3 percent in 2010.