Will Reeve, the son of the late actor Christopher Reeve, embarks on a poignant and personal exploration of his father's legacy through the new documentary, Will Reeve: Finding My Father, premiering on February 26, 2025. This ABC special follows Will as he retraces the final expedition taken by his father before the tragic accident, which resulted in Christopher's paralysis.
Many know Christopher Reeve as Superman, but to Will, he was simply Dad. The father-son relationship formed the heart of this exploration, with Will embarking on this meaningful trek thirty years after the accident left his father paralyzed from the neck down after a horseback riding mishap. At just two years old during the incident, Will has spent much of his life piecing together the essence of who his father was before his injury.
Christopher's last adventure was recorded for the nature documentary, Deep Dive: Migration of the Pacific Gray Whale. The film showcased the actor engaging with nature, flying planes, scuba-diving, and most significantly, tracking whales, all the experiences he cherished before the accident.
“My father was my hero. To millions, he was Superman. I idolize and miss a different Christopher Reeve ... dad,” Will expressed, emphasizing his personal connection to his father separate from the public persona. For Will, retracing his father’s steps was not just about nostalgia; it was about attempting to connect with the man his father had been. Instead of focusing solely on the superhero image, Will was determined to reveal the adventurous spirit of Christopher.
The documentary features never-before-seen family home videos, providing intimate glimpses of Will's childhood and portraits of the man his father was—a loving parent filled with enthusiasm. He remarked, “I’ve inherited some of my dad’s sense of adventure and carried it with me every day at Good Morning America and across ABC News.”
Will notes how important this expedition was to him; he romanticized his father’s last adventure for years, hoping it would enlighten him about the man who raised him and inspired him through his advocacy after the accident. “I hoped by going to the last places he’d been before his accident, I’d be able to get closer to those answers and the active, daring, adventurous father I had heard stories about,” he explained.
On this emotional trek, Will visits locations from Baja, Mexico, to remote areas near Alaska, where Christopher filmed portions of his nature documentary before medical misfortune altered their lives forever. He meets with locals, including the sons of guides who worked with his father during the expedition, hearing stories about Christopher’s impact and spirit during his time there.
“Walking in his footsteps — in this setting my father was drawn to — exceeded my expectations, and it surprised me,” Will reflected. “Meeting the same people and hearing their shared stories about my dad exceeded my expectations.” This exposure allowed him to bridge the gap between childhood memories and his father's legacy, granting him insights he never anticipated.
A cinematic exploration of their family bond, Will Reeve: Finding My Father encapsulates the essence of grief, legacy, and healing. It does not merely linger on loss but instead celebrates the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of connection, no matter how distant time may seem.
After the initial airing, the documentary will be available for streaming on various platforms, allowing more audiences to join Will Reeve on this heartfelt quest to honor his father, the beloved Superman, and the man behind the legend. This compelling story resonates as one of love, remembrance, and the powerful narratives woven between generations.