How many actors can say they have created a character that has made its way into movie history? Sarah Douglas knows exactly what that feels like, her role as the icy, leather-clad villain Ursa in the 1981 classic Superman II a defining figure in superhero films. Her performance set a high bar, giving Christopher Reeve’s man of steel a serious challenge while sparking the movie fantasies—and yes, the hormones—of teenage boys worldwide. As one of the genre’s most memorable female antagonists, Douglas took a supporting role and transformed it into a slick symbol of strength, power and cool sensuality. Sure, she wanted to dominate the world, but in grand style.
As Douglas prepares to visit the Chicago area for a special screening and meet-and-greet weekend featuring Superman II this Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at Emagine Batavia, home to the Illinois’ largest screen, I had the great pleasure of catching up with her. For me, it was one of those rare and special moments where journalism gives way to fandom, her performances in Richard Donner’s Superman (1978) and its superb sequel having played an unforgettable role in my early movie-going experiences.
“It’s incredible, really,” Douglas muses, amazed by the lasting impact of Superman II. “When we were shooting it, we had no idea it would become a cultural touchstone. At the time, science fiction and superheroes were not taken as seriously as they are perhaps today. But decades later, people still come up and say, ‘You were Ursa!’ It’s surreal—and so rewarding.”
Douglas’s path to Hollywood was anything but typical. Born in the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, she grew up steeped in theater thanks to her mother’s work as a physiotherapist for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her father’s military background, meanwhile, kept her grounded. “I grew up in the shadow of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre,” she reminisces. “But while most of the actors I knew were stage-bound, I went straight into film when I was about twenty.”
After drama school, Douglas found herself drawn to the fledgling sci-fi genre, long before it had reached the cultural juggernaut status it holds today. While early roles in cult TV shows like Space: 1999 and films like 1973’s The Final Programme built her resumé, it was Superman II that truly catapulted her to fame. And as fate would have it, she stumbled into the role of Ursa almost by accident.
“I had just wrapped The People That Time Forgot (1977), fighting cardboard dinosaurs with Doug McClure,” she laughs. “At that point, I was getting typecast as the ‘nice girl who’s a little bit naughty.’ We didn’t really know Superman that well in England, but I thought, ‘Who cares, I want to work with Marlon Brando!’ Suddenly, I’m on set with Terence Stamp and Jack O’Halloran, playing this fierce Kryptonian villain. There wasn’t much time to prepare, but somehow, Ursa just came alive.”
Working under two different directors—Richard Donner and Richard Lester—also shaped her performance. “Donner and Lester couldn’t have been more different, but each allowed me to explore Ursa in unique ways,” she explains. “We were on set for 17 months, with breaks, and it felt like we were doing something very special. But how can you know when you are in the middle of making movie history?”
While acclaim came for her performance, Douglas’s agent was concerned about future typecasting. “After Superman II, he was determined to find me different roles. He didn’t want me to be stuck playing villains forever,” she says. Television audiences were also getting to know her, thanks to appearances in many popular series including Murder, She Wrote, Magnum P.I., V: The Final Battle and the hit soap Falcon Crest, where she got to play a character “completely different” from her usual roles.
But sci-fi and fantasy continued to call her name. In 1984, she found herself starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Grace Jones as Queen Taramis in the hit sequel Conan the Destroyer. “At some point, I thought, ‘So what if I’m typecast?’ There are worse things! I’ve been lucky to work on projects that have really stood the test of time.”
This longevity also extends to the loyalty of sci-fi fans, something Douglas deeply appreciates. “The beauty of films like Superman and Conan the Destroyer is that they endure. Fans remember everything,” she says. “People still love to talk about the scene in Superman II where we’re trapped in the glass, which was state-of-the-art back then. All these years later, people still bring it up. It’s incredible.”
Douglas is quick to note that Superman II was more than just another superhero film (it’s actually the best one ever made). “It transcended genres. Everyone saw it, not just the comic book fans. People may not remember every detail, but they remember Ursa, Zod, and Non. I’m incredibly proud.”
When the subject of her co-star, the late and iconic Christopher Reeve, is raised, Douglas’s tone softens. “I wish I had gotten to know him better. On set, he was always in character—either Superman or Clark Kent. He was so focused; we didn’t socialize much. I regret that now. I spent more time going to dinner and the theater with Terence and Gene Hackman. After seeing the documentary about his life (Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story), I was very moved by how remarkable he was, not just as an actor but as a person.”
Reeve’s journey, particularly the love and resilience his family showed after his accident, left a deep impression on her. “It made me reflect on how quickly life can change and how important it is to have strong support. Dana Reeve was such an incredible force for him. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of family.”
Now 71, Sarah Douglas is in demand at popular movie fan conventions, embracing her role in sci-fi history with elan. “It’s been amazing. I’ve been so lucky to work on so many fantastic projects, but playing Ursa will always be special. And if people are still talking about her 40 years from now, I’ll be happy to keep the conversation going!”
With the loyalty she’s earned from fans (including this one), you can bet they will.
Sarah Douglas will appear live on Friday, October 11 and Saturday October 12 at Emagine Batavia for two days of special events, including a presentation of Superman II on Illinois’ biggest screen, followed by a pre-screening Q&A and collectible auction. On Saturday, Douglas will host a fan meet-and-greet autograph signing and photo event. For more details and tickets, visit Emagine Batavia.
