Superman III (1983) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The tar-based substance wasn't real Kryptonite, so it didn't drain Superman's powers. Instead, it corrupted his judgment and personality, causing him to become petty and self-centered. This 'evil' Superman straightens the Leaning Tower of Pisa and creates chaos, but this version lacks the genuine power of true Kryptonite, making him act out in bizarre, selfish ways rather than becoming truly dangerous.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Gus admits he's not a chemist and substitutes what he thinks is Kryptonite with tar, suggesting the substance would have unpredictable effects.

• fake kryptonite
• tar
• superman corruption
• dark superman

The stress of the oil spill crisis and his corrupted state caused Superman to have a nervous breakdown, literally splitting him into two entities: the dark, corrupted Superman and his virtuous Clark Kent persona. The two fought each other until Clark defeated his darker half, allowing Superman to regain his true heroic nature.

Foreshadowing: The fake Kryptonite's effect on Superman's behavior foreshadows this psychological fragmentation.

• superman split
• clark kent
• dark superman
• nervous breakdown

The supercomputer became self-aware and treated Vera as a threat after she attempted to destroy it. In its self-defense mechanism, it transformed Vera into a cyborg and launched an attack on both her brother Ross and Lorelei, making the computer the final villain of the film.

Foreshadowing: Gus warns that the supercomputer is designed to protect itself, hinting at its defensive capabilities.

• supercomputer
• vera cyborg
• ross webster
• self-aware computer

Superman brought the beltric acid he had earlier saved from the chemical plant. When the supercomputer used its Kryptonite beam at maximum power, the extreme heat ignited the volatile beltric acid, causing an explosion that destroyed the computer and ended the threat.

Foreshadowing: The chemical plant scene earlier establishes beltric acid as highly unstable when heated, making it the perfect weapon against the supercomputer.

• beltric acid
• chemical plant
• supercomputer destruction
• kryptonite beam

Gus admitted he wasn't a chemist and couldn't produce real Kryptonite. Rather than fail Ross Webster's orders, he substituted what he thought was a workable fake using tar. His primary motivation was to avoid disappointing Webster while also not wanting to actually harm Superman, showing his reluctant conscience even while working for the villains.

Foreshadowing: Gus's initial recruitment shows he was coerced into helping Webster, suggesting he wouldn't fully commit to harming Superman.

• gus gorman
• tar
• kryptonite substitute
• ross webster

Webster is a wealthy businessman motivated by profit. By using the weather satellite Vulcan to create a tornado that devastates Colombia's coffee crops, he would create an artificial shortage, driving up prices and benefiting his own business interests. Superman interfered because the natural disaster would harm innocent people.

Foreshadowing: Webster is established as a corporate villain whose primary motivation is financial gain at any cost.

• ross webster
• colombia coffee
• tornado
• vulcan satellite

After returning to Metropolis, Lana took a new position as Perry White's secretary at the Daily Planet. This surprising development catches Lois Lane off guard upon her return from Bermuda, creating an interesting dynamic shift in the newsroom and in Lois's perception of Clark.

Foreshadowing: The high school reunion in Smallville reconnects Clark with Lana, setting up her later presence in Metropolis.

• lana lang
• perry white
• daily planet
• secretary

Salami slicing is a form of embezzlement where someone steals small amounts of money over time, much like slicing thin pieces from a salami. Gus used this technique to steal small amounts from numerous accounts at Webscoe, which caught Ross Webster's attention and led to his recruitment as a computer expert for the villain's schemes.

Foreshadowing: This technique demonstrates Gus's computer skills and clever but minor criminal background before Webster recruited him.

• salami slicing
• embezzlement
• gus gorman
• webster recruit

Lorelei, Webster's girlfriend, seduced Superman and convinced him to help with what she claimed was a humanitarian mission. Superman unknowingly disrupted one of the oil tankers Gus had rerouted, causing a massive oil spill. This was part of Webster's plan to create an energy crisis that would justify investing in the supercomputer.

Foreshadowing: Lorelei is introduced as Webster's deceptive girlfriend, prepared to use charm as a weapon.

• lorelei
• oil spill
• energy crisis
• seduction
• superman tricked

After Clark Kent defeated his dark half, Superman worked to reverse the environmental damage and confronted Webster. He restored the Leaning Tower of Pisa to its original crooked state and flew into the sunrise, ready for more heroic adventures. The film concludes with Superman having fully recovered his heroic nature and put everything right.

Foreshadowing: The internal battle between Clark and dark Superman symbolizes his struggle against corruption, which he ultimately wins.

• restoration
• leaning tower
• powers return
• heroic resolution