I know this is probably a crap topic but anyone a fan of these films and aware of the controversy surrounding Superman II? It was shot by original director Richard Donner the same time as Superman The Movie, but after fall outs with the producers the Salkinds axed Donner and reshot most of the movie with Richard Lester at the helm. Donner shot 80% of the movie before being sacked. Some of his footage remains in the final film. In the 1980s a lot of footage was reinserted into the film during its TV premiere. This extended cut changed the flow of the film dramatically. Anyway for anyone interested here's some interesting articles on the whole mess. There has been talk that we will finally see the Donner cut on DVD next year. link link link
I love the Superman films. Christopher Reeve, RIP :( to me is my favorite Superman on film, just wonderful in the part.
Jingles I agree, that this is interesting new info. Didn't know there was controversy surrounding the original films.
I have heard of alot of problems with the NEW film and recasting the lead role and the Director numerous times.
FYI...I am also a huge fan of the TV show, ''Lois and Clark'' and loved Dean Cain's and Terri Hatcher's interplay on the show.
...Microwave Oven... wrote: Actually the real deal is this.
Superman was originally going to be a TV Miniseries. As production costs increased, it was decided to be turned into a major motion picture. But they had over 3 hours already filmed, so they cut it into two movies.
That's why Christopher Reeve's hair is much longer when he is turned into a mortal man. That was filmed much later (nearly two years) than the scenes following.
Both Richard Donner AND Marlon Brando were upset that they were only getting paid for one movie. Brando completely walked out, Donner stayed and filmed much of II, but most was re-shot when Donner finally walked.
When Superman II was first broadcast on TV, most of the Donner shoots were included.
...Microwave Oven... wrote:
Both Richard Donner AND Marlon Brando were upset that they were only getting paid for one movie. Brando completely walked out, Donner stayed and filmed much of II, but most was re-shot when Donner finally walked.
Why is Brando whinning about getting paid for only one movie? He basically did a 10 minute cameo as Jor-El and he got paid $4 million, while Christopher Reeve had to go through intensive work out sessions for his role and got paid only $250.000
That's what happens when all that Hollywood fame gets to the head of the A-list actors.
[quote]When Superman II was first broadcast on TV, most of the Donner shoots were included.[/quote]
Most of the extended footage was filmed by Donner in 1977 however most of Donner's footage has never been seen to the public. The extended version added 24 minutes of extra foootage, roughly about 20 minutes of this is Donner material. There still remains a vast amount of footage out there in a vault at Pinewood Studios. Warner Bros. have since negociated a deal with the Salkinds to release all the Donner material. There will be a special edition of Superman II next year, whether it's an extended cut or a Donner recut I don't know. Still a lot of footage in the theatrical cut is Lester's so I don't know how they could get a Donner cut without using some Lester footage.
Margot Kidder in 2004 announced that there were reels of film to recut this movie to just be Donner's movie. Notable scenes missing from the theatrical cut filmed by Donner include
Daily Planet Opening - Lois being rescued by Clark after she throws herself out the window. She has drawn glasses over a picture of Superman and believes Clark is Sups. She lands on a fruit cart thanks to some super intervention from Clark.
The Niagra Falls scenes - Lois shoots Clark with blanks to prove he's Superman.
Dramatically Extended Lex footage - Lex and Miss T finding the fortress plus the extra prison stuff. (shown on Tv extended cut)
All Marlon Brando footage - Susanna York was never suppose to be in the movie. Marlon Brando shot loads of scenes including Superman losing and regaining his powers.
The alternate ending. Villians being carted off by the arctic police, Sups blowing up the fortress of solitude, Lois and Sups break up scene (shown on TV extended cut)
The above is just a summary.
