One box office smash for Spacey

Now we know why Kevin Spacey's time as artistic director at the Old Vic has been less than a success.

He is really Lex Luthor, the evil genius whose plans for global domination are thwarted time and again by Superman.

Spacey, still reeling from calls to resign from the London theatre he runs, appeared in Los Angeles last night for the world premiere of Superman Returns. In the summer's must-see blockbuster, the Oscar-winning actor plays Luthor to Brandon Routh's man of steel, aka Superman, aka Clark Kent.

The pair appeared at the premiere at the Mann theatre with Kate Bosworth in tow. She plays Lois Lane, the journalist and love of his life.

Spacey, 46, posed for photographs with other cast members including Parker Posey, the actress best known for her roles in the spoof documentaries Best In Show and A Mighty Wind. Superman Returns is eagerly anticipated by Superman fans. The first series of films, starring Christopher Reeve, were a huge success although later sequels were critically mauled. In his latest screen incarnation, our hero returns to earth after five years away visiting what remains of the Planet Krypton. When he gets back he discovers Lois Lane has not only found a new chap, she has a child with him.

Spacey has had a tricky time of it of late running the Old Vic. The theatre is shut down for five months following the critical panning of Robert Altman's production of Arthur Miller's last play Resurrection Blues.

The theatre is set to reopen on 26 September with a Eugene O'Neill play, in which will star. He said in a recent interview he will not be deterred by his critics and plans to remain at the Old Vic for the next 10 years. Some critics might wish Superman fly over from Metropolis to force him out.