IS IT A BIRD? A PLANE? NO! IT’S NUCLEAR MAN!

“Superman IV,” which Cannon Films begins shooting in London in September with Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder as their old selves, pits the Man of Steel against a foe who’s all-aglow: Nuclear Man!

Outtakes would never hamper the fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way. But, gee, how can we not tell you something about the unusually touching (for a “Superman”) script that just came our way? (This one is by Mark Rosenthal and Lawrence Konner.)

The Nuclear Man is the result of a scientific scheme concocted by (BOO! HISS!) Lex Luthor, who’s this time abetted by his creepy nephew Lenny. It’s Luthor’s way of dissuading Superman from dismantling the world’s nuclear weapons. (Ever the opportunist, Luthor figures, “Hey, war isn’t so bad, given the population explosion and the housing shortage. You know how hard it is to find a two-bedroom apartment these days?”)

While the world waits for Superman to do what it won’t, reporters at the Daily Planet have to put up with a new owner--an Australian tycoon who owns a string of sleazy tabloids. He happens to have a beautiful daughter who takes a liking to a certain tall, dark, bespectacled reporter. As for Lois, hey, she’s still pining for the Big Guy.