Superman II: Donner Cut vs. Lester Cut

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I don’t believe Richard Donner’s cut of Superman II (recently released on DVD) is necessarily better than the 1981 theatrical cut directed by Richard Lester, but it is still fascinating on its own terms. When Donner helmed the first Superman, he actually shot a good deal of footage for Superman II, much of it (including all of the Lex Luthor scenes) contained within the theatrical version that was subsequently released. Donner was kicked off the project midway through the film because of cost overruns, replaced by Richard Lester. Fans, tantalized by the footage that appeared in various ABC airings of the film in the 1980s, have long hoped for Donner’s vision to be reinstated. Warner listened and tracked down some six tons of film, restored all of it, and re-edited Superman II to reflect this what-if scenario.

This cinematic experiment certainly demonstrates what Donner would have effected, had he been left alone to finish the film. But it also indicates that Richard Lester’s contributions weren’t nearly as bad as Donner makes them out to be. (Donner’s commentary track is a veritable shitting contest. But Donner has produced many cinematic dogs himself. Exhibit A: Assassins.)

Donner’s version moves faster, with an opening sequence that dovetails Superman II‘s story into the first film quite nicely. (It is the missile aimed at Hackensack that causes the three supervillains to be released, not the nuclear bomb at the Eiffel Tower. Lester’s Eiffel Tower sequence has been removed.) Donner’s version takes more chances with the characters, particularly in an exciting early scene where Lois Lane throws herself out the window of the Daily Planet to test whether Clark Kent is actually Superman. Susannah York’s Lara has been replaced by Brando’s authoritarian Jor-El at the Fortress of Solitude. While these scenes play up the father-son dynamic, Brando is just as stiff as he was in the first film.

Donner’s panache for action sequences works well in the first hour, but I found myself missing Lester’s light touch, particularly with General Zod and company’s appearance on Earth. The two small town cops arguing about the restaurant (“They have a fine selection.”) are now one-dimensional characters for Zod, Ursa and Non to fuck with. Lester’s humor also worked effectively as the three supervillains let loose a gust of wind just as the people of Metropolis attempted a lynching (“Superman is dead! Let’s get him!”). The scenes of cars flying through the air and colliding into each other had a certain gravitas when edited against Lester’s slapstick contributions (ice cream flying from a cone onto another’s face, the guy still talking on the phone even after the booth has been knocked over).

The musical cues have also been seriously marred. In the Lester cut, when Superman flies into Niagra Falls to save a boy from falling into the waters, he was accompanied by a reprise of John Williams’ main theme. The Donner cut has opted for a more diluted theme and it makes Superman’s rescue of the boy nowhere nearly as dramatic as it was in the original. (A similar change has been made when Superman rescues the large antenna from falling onto a mother and her stroller.) Also greatly missed is John Williams’ menacing series of percussive quintets, which lent Zod’s takeover of the planet Houston a sense of dread. I’ve long considered Williams’ contributions to the Superman films to be among his best as a composer, but the Donner cut reveals just how naked the Superman films are without the score: a telling sign of its own.

But perhaps my biggest objection (aside from Donner’s bitterness) is that Superman’s sacrifice of his powers for Lois Lane feels more solipsistic in Donner’s hands. In the Lester cut, Superman sleeps with Lois Lane only after he loses his powers. But in the Donner cut, he gets bedtime action before. While it’s nice to see a postcoital Lois Lane observe Superman’s conversation with Jor-El dressed only in his shirt, Reeves’ conversation with his father (instead of his mother) is now laced with selfish import (“I deserve this!”) as opposed to a bona-fide declaration of his love for Lane (“Mother, I love her.”). Because of this, one views the diner scene that comes after, in which a powerless Kent is beaten to a pulp by a truck driving bully, in a new light. Clark Kent’s request to step outside is now guided more by hubris, rather than a desperate need to figure out where he stands and how to defend himself as a human.

Donner’s contributions were certainly essential to the Superman films. His camerawork was better. His action sequences were better. But I suspect he sometimes took Superman too seriously, considering him to be an almost Christ-like figure. I’d argue that Lester understood that Superman II was an entertainment and injected just the right amount of comedy into Superman II, giving it a more humanistic feel. It’s regrettable that Lester’s equally essential contributions are being pooh-poohed by the fanboys.

47 Comments

  1. I just heard about this new/old cut yesterday, and am intrigued at least to see it. It’s one of my favorite of the Reeve Superman films for the simple fact of the line, “KNEEL before Zod!”

  2. My favorite Zod moment is when the President kneels down and says, “Oh God.” And Zod corrects him, “Zod.” Although be careful: I didn’t realize there was an Ultimate Superman DVD box set and only bought the Donner version. Now I have to pony up the dough for the I-IV box set (with all the extra features and SUPERMAN RETURNS) AGAIN. Those clever capitalistic bastards…:)

  3. John Williams didn’t do the Superman II Lester cut. Ken Thorne rescored using the Williams themes. As far as I can tell, it seems that nearly all of the Ken Thorne material has been removed in the Donner cut and replaced with Williams music from the first film.

  4. Frankly, I always thought–is this heresy?–that Donner’s original Superman was, well, bloated. It is definitely watchable and surely has good moments. But it was too long. The special effects were ok, but in fact I never quite ‘believed’ Supes was flying. Also, I preferred, sigh, George Reeves’ Superman/Clark Kent acting–Kent should not be such a schlemiel.

    The second film was arguably a lot better if only because it refused to take itself so seriously.

    Unfortunately, the series then fell apart with three and four. I liked some of the Lois and Clark tv series, while it lasted. Being a hermit, i never made it out of the house to see Superman Returns, despite the good reviews. My children will buy it for me, for Christmas. Too bad I don’t have a larger tv.

    Beware buying the Donner cut only because there are now about four thousand different Superman DVD sets coming out from the studio. Pick and choose carefully.

    Finally, and totally unrelated to his, but I’m putting it in while I am on a role: if you have not seen “Audition”, from Takashi Miike, and you like thrillers, check it out. Hitchcock on steroids.

  5. Well, the “Donner cut” is actually a rough cut, so it’s hard to really judge it as a finished film. I believe Donner would have worked out the rough edges had he been allowed to finish the project. Yes, Donned did direct “Assasins”, but Lested did “Superman 3” with Richard Pryor. Take “Superman-the Movie” and compare it to “Supeman 3”, and tell me which one is a better film? Lester’s “Superman 2” only works well at times due to the Donner footage in my opinion. The stuff during the Metropolis battle (guy with a trumpet…toupee getting blown off) are the stuff worthy of bad Pink Panther sequels. This Donner cut is an interesting “what if”?

  6. superman 2 is the best of the series. why? because it combines the seriousness of the first one from donners directing and balances it with the comedy of the third one from lesters directing. perfect.

  7. I loved the Superman II theatrical release. I always thought it was the best of the movies. One was a little too slow and too much setup. 3 and 4 were just, well….

    II was really wonderful, though. The action and the romance balanced each other nicely, the humor, action and drama set a nice tone.

    I was sad to see some of my favorite stuff cut from Donner, virtually all of Niagara. The Eiffel tower sequence. I felt that the Lois Clark romance just did not play in the Donner cut. I couldn’t bring myself to care.

  8. I just got finished wathcing the Donner cut for the first time ever…..

    I was dissapointed, and the original theatrical version (Lester’s) is still my favorite.

    The largest problem I had was that the original music was changed up too much. That is what made movie IMO.

    Secondly, if you want to digitally remaster a movie that’s one thing, but with Donner’s cut, these nit wits tried to re-film and re-create scenes that are almost 30 years apart in age. It looks much more fake that way as the continuity does not match up.

    Gimme the original version anyday, it was great the way it was.

  9. i agree with you guys that say the added scenes in the donner cut look bad but that is only to fill in the blanks where he needed to, and i find less intrusive than superman and lois looking drasticly different from scene to scene. Also the funny bits worked for the 70’s but rewatching them now it feels like it was made for a 5 year old in mind, just was way too cheesy for me.

    I do enjoy both films though but as far as a better superman STORY i would say donner takes that one.

  10. The Donner cut was way too rough and lost so much soul from the stripped score and unpolished scenes. The only parts of Lester’s version that I still don’t like are the final confrontation with the phantom zone villians (where Supes teleports and uses his emblem as a trap) and the infamous super kiss scene that erases Lane’s memory.

  11. I very much like the possibilities that the Donner cut showed us. The relationship stuff with Jor-el alone is enough to elevate this film. Supes telling his father “I deserve this” is great. Yeah he has faults. Lester’s slapstick stuff was never that funny. Especially when seen in Superman 3. Blech. I like Lester but not so much as a Superman director. Donner takes it too seriously? Really? Gene Hackman as Luthor is serious? I think Mankewitz’s and Donner’s vision would have served the character of Superman much better if they had been given the chance to do it.

  12. The Donner cut may be good for folks who weren’t alive or old enough to see the theatrical cut when it came out.
    But for the people who were there for it’s release, there is no real competition. Yes, the Donner cut is a curiosity, no doubt.
    But, the Lester re-shoots, humor and final theatrical cut was a far superior experience.
    Even Ken Thorne’s music was a contributor to the menace of the villians.
    The percussion, stretched string intensity..all key factors in making them eerie and scary.
    John Williams re-inserted score did not capture these scenes like the theatircal cut did.

    The campy humor? Donner was just as guilty, if not MORE guilty of this.
    The only difference was Donner insisted the re-cut was to be minus Lester’s ideas.
    Donner even seemingly spitefully replaced the ‘high school’ joke in the Houston communication scene
    with a ridiculous ‘hairdryer’ joke that he also shot.

    Frankly, the reaction shot of the controllers face to the ‘high school’ joke by Cliff from Cheers was much funnier, IMO.

    The scenes Donner cut, ie: the Zod beam lifting the farmer, Saraha Douglas armwrestling,
    the ‘home run’ comment from the metropolitan kid..all scenes that made an impression.
    The Ken music score mixed with the villians menace was offset perfectly by Lester’s comic relief.
    I will never understand how Superman could be taken as a darker vision when only a mere pair of glasses keeps his identity hush.
    With that said, Donner was an excellent director for part 1 and we WILL NEVER KNOW how well for part 2 and that’s just a fact. We’ll never know.
    I thank BOTH directors for their contributions and never to slight Lester, as his contributions
    and crew (music) were KEY to making a lasting impression on me personally.
    Theatrical cut is THE cut to see.
    The Donner cut is an interesting after thought, but obviously a spiteful one.

  13. Following the ravings of various Richard Donner fans, I just spent two highly unsatisfactory hours of my life watching the Donner cut of Superman II.

    Even looking beyond the amateurish editing, it is basically as though someone has taken out a whole load of good stuff and replaced it with a whole load of stuff that is not as good.

    Richard Lester added elements that made the theatrical release work really well. His more comic moments underline the absurdity and hence the wonder of Superman. The opening sequence in Paris showcases Superman’s super abilities in a way that the Richard Donner does not adequately do. The extended ransacking of the town by the Kryptonites adds valuable exposition, without which the narrative makes little sense. The dialogue in the patrol car between the state troopers helps the pace and gives the film an important human dimension.

    By contrast, much of Lex Luthor’s dialogue that was re-added is made up of bumbling non-sequitors. Equally distracting were the extra cuts back to Perry White’s office showing White, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen from behind as they watch the fight over Metropolis.

    Richard Lester wisely made judicious cuts to much of Richard Donner’s material, producing a much tighter narrative. I cannot see the value of adding these cuts back in.

    I would not say the enterprise was pointless and admire the dedication required to locate, catalogue and edit all the unused material. However I do wish the fanboy reviewers would take a more objective view and recognise the film for what it is: an alternative but ultimately less convincing version of the movie.

    I also wonder at Richard Donner’s judgment in sanctioning the project. Far from vindicating him, it paints him as bitter and rather vain.

    I make this plea to anyone thinking of watching it: only do so under caution, it is definitely not the life-changing cinematic experience you have been told it is!

  14. Actually, I’ve changed my mind. After watching Superman the Movie and Superman II the Richard Donner Cut both a handful of times back to back, I’m beginning to see how Richard Donner’s vision was compromised by Richard Lester’s contributions.

    1. The original scene between Superman and Lois at the North Pole after Superman has just destroyed the Fortress of Solitude is heroic and schmaltzy, unlike the tearful scene at the Daily Planet in Richard Lester’s version in which, on reflection, Lois does tend to bleat a little.

    2. Brando’s scenes are all excellent and far outstrip Susannah York’s efforts in Richard Lester’s version.

    3. Seeing Jor-el berate Kal-El for wanting to indulge his romance rather than help mankind and then administer a sound “I told you so” when Kal-el comes back with his tail between his legs makes for a really interesting and human piece of drama.

    4. The scene where Superman uses the green crystal to regain his powers is both important for the narrative and highly dramatic. The clever use of John Williams’ cues here (one of which I don’t think was ever used in Superman the Movie) really heightens the drama. (I keep watching this scene over and over again!)

    5. The extra battle scenes filmed by Richard Lester at the Fortress of Solitude are really not necessary and they both mess up the edit and confuse the viewer (by introducing a host of odd new superpowers).

    All in all, however, the narrative does not quite hang together and you cannot watch this film without retaining a reference to the theatrical version of Superman II and the ending Richard Donner originally intended for Superman the Movie. Your mind has to somehow synthesise all the possibilities and arrive at a single Superman narrative.

    I still think Richard Lester was right to cut much of Lex Luthor’s dialogue to make the storytelling tighter. The final diner scene is problematic in the Richard Donner Cut too, following on as it does from Superman turning back time so that the first diner scene never happened.

    Ultimately this film provides a tantalising glimpse of what might have been had Richard Donner been allowed to bring his project to fruition. I can see now why the likes of Margot Kidder were so vocal in their support of the Richard Donner version. I suppose I was a bit quick to defend the theatrical version because it is the one I went to see at the cinema when I was five and I loved it. I still think it has some great scenes, such as the Eiffel tower sequence and the arm wrestling match.

    Richard Lester started with Superman II to move the franchise in a different direction from Richard Donner’s vision, a direction which became all too clear in the disappointing Superman III, which lost all of the epic sense of the first two films. It is through watching the Richard Donner Cut of the second film that I am finally able to understand, years later, why I was so nonplussed with the third film when it came out. It has some nice scenes, especially between Clark and Lana Lang, but the magic and urgency of the first two films just is not there.

    As an after note, having also watched Superman Returns and the trailer for Christopher Nolan’s new film, I am convinced that Superman the Movie and Superman II (either version) set a benchmark for Superman films that will never be matched in terms of storytelling.

  15. Richard Donner clearly mentioned that he would have changed things had he finished the film. And he would never know how because he was fired with 75 percent completion. The donner cut is still raw and incomplete. We, even donner, would never know how the final cut in 1980 would have looked. But i am convinced it would have been a masterpiece just like superman i, the goonies, and lethal weapon films he directed. Richard lester never made a single masterpiece film. To imply he did a better job is ludicrous.

  16. I know I’m very late to the party but I wanted to say that I couldn’t disagree more. I should mention that I hadn’t watched either version till recently, so I have no bias. Lester’s additions are bad. The gags you mention like with the two cops talking was painfully unfunny to watch and the guy still talking on the phone even after the booth was knocked over was more stupid than funny. Regardless, the main changes were the two scenes where Lois is trying to expose Clark as Superman, Brando’s scenes, and how the movies begin and end.

    As for the beginning I liked the Donner version because it links into the previous movie and it’s much quicker in pace. Comparing the endings isn’t really fair but personally I think they are a wash. Donner filmed Superman 1 and most of 2 at the same time and originally planned to end the first one in a cliff hanger and have 2 end with him turning back time, but later he decided to pinch 2’s ending for 1 and figure something else out for 2 which he never got to do when he was replaced.

    In Donner’s cut Lois is a lot smarter and is on to Clark’s secret right from the start of the film, as you’d expect of a top notch reporter. Also she outs Clark by cunning by shooting him with a blank, as opposed to by accidently on purpose with Clark ridiculously tripping on a rug and falling into a fire. Yea that happens all the time. The other scene in the Lester cut where Lois tries to expose Clark is equally bad when Lois is being carried away by the falls and all Clark does is cut down a branch for her and pray she makes it. Which proves he’s more of a dick(willing to wait and see if she’d make it) than it does that he’s not Superman. The jumping out the windows in the Donner version just worked better. Also the Donner versions of these two scenes offered some of the best on screen chemistry between Reeves and Kidder in the film.

    I thought Brando offered a gravitas to scenes that otherwise fell flat. His speech and manner are meant to reflect the fact that he’s different and not one of us. In the Lester version when Superman sacrifices his powers he’s told by his mother that the process is irreversible only for us to find out shortly after that this is a lie and to further add to the confusion we are never shown just how Superman does get his powers back. In the Donner version Brando never says that the process is irreversible and later states when changing him back that he knew his son would one day realise the error of his ways.

    In the Lester version of the scene where Superman sacrifices his powers it’s never really explained why he needs to lose them. We assume it’s biology so they can consummate the relationship. And I can buy this initially but not at the end of the film because it begs the question as to if sex is the only issue is the magic kiss really necessary. Why can’t they just be together. I mean people adopt and lot of people are crippled or impotent not all their wives leave them. In the Donner version it’s made clear that Biology isn’t the issue but a difference in ideals between father and son. Jor-el feels the power and responsibility that his son bears is so great that he cannot prioritize one human over all others and that all his time and energy should be used for the betterment of man and that the happiness he gains from helping others should be sufficient for him. Clark isn’t being selfish, he’s right everyone deserves more than just the happiness they gain from helping others. Jar-el gives his son an ultimatum be Superman fully or fully be a human. Did Clark need to go along with the ultimatum… probably not. But he’s an honorable guy and was being asked to prove his love. Saying no I’m keeping them both really seems out of character for a boy scout and he would have proven his father right.

    Another complaint I have about the Lester version is the inclusion of redundant lines that simply state what just happened. Like when Superman tries to Cage Non on top of the building or when Superman saves the boy and Lois says how he “just happened to be in Niagara Falls and Clark is not around” only to restate that exact same line 1 second later when questioning Clark. Also I don’t really like Lex’s cronies but in the Donner cut they were at least good for a few laughs. The Lester cut removes all their jokes so all they do is act stupid. And that superman symbol saran wrap thing he uses against Zod at the end was a WTF moment that is thankfully absent in the Donner cut .

    Don’t get me wrong Lester had a more difficult job than Donner and should be applauded. He needed to shoot at least 50% of the film to have his name on the credits so I can imagine that a lot of what he did was just to meet that requirement.

  17. The Donner Cut, is a much better film IMHO.
    I agree on a lot of the points in the above comment, I even think Reeves acting is much better in the old footage, than in the 1980 reshoot.
    My favourite part is when Superman returns to Metropolis after his powers has been restored. You get a setup with the newspapers in the wind and then he just stands on the flagpole outside the window of the Globe in a cool – YES he’s back moment !.
    In the Lester version the surprise and setup is completely ruined by to much flying into the city. Classic mistake from a bad director, have the guts to believe in the viewer.
    Would have loved to see Donner complete Superman II, could have been one the greatest sequel of them all.

  18. If the turning back of time was supposed to end Donner’s cut of “Superman II” and not “Superman I” how did he saved Lois from dying in Superman I then?

  19. S1aver, you watch the two versions relatively late…but no doubt already knew about the Donner/Lester controversy about Superman II…hence I wouldn’t say that you were completely unbiased.

    I watched both movies in the theaters with no idea about the changing of directors and the re-shoots and I found myself enjoying Superman II a lot more. And I still consider Lester’s composite version way better than Donner’s unfinished “curiosity”.

    I like the set up of Superman II in Lester’s version more than Donner’s. Instead of taking place right after the first one, Lester have the sequel taking place after a considerable length time have passed after the events of the first movie. The Paris sequence and Lois’ observation in Niagara Falls gave you the impression that Lois is now getting used to putting her life in mortal danger and she is getting used to seeing Superman conveniently showing up.

    In the final analysis, do not praise the Donner’s cut for what it could’ve been.

  20. After having read most of these posts, two things are clear to me. People cannot put the theatrical version of this film out of their minds when viewing the Donner Cut, and some folks can’t get it into their minds that this probably isn’t that close to the film that would have been released in 1979 or ’80 had Donner and his team been able to finish their work. This is nothing more than an approximation, using all the Donner footage available, and using some of the Lester footage when necessary.

    As is I still like the theatrical better, but really value this Donner cut as a “what if”, knowing that this is the closest we’ll ever get to the original vision Donner had.
    I’m not a huge Donner fan by any means, and he has made some serious clunkers in his time, but he did a great job with Superman, and I feel that with this slight glimpse we have, had he finished his work we would have gotten a truly great film.

  21. Regarding an earlier comment essentially asking what has Richard Lester ever done in comparison with the genius who made Lethal Weapon I would say a hell of a lot actually. Whilst I don’t see Lester as one of the great directors, (Donner even less, – much less), no one can deny the mans importance and influence on modern cinema. His career had several different stages. His Beatles films, (and to a lesser extent the Knack), led to him being proclaimed the father of MTV – ( I seem to remember him asking for a paternity test when this was put to him). He moved on to his anti war films which blended social commentary with the absurdist humour he had shown a penchant for since his early work with the goons – how I won the war, the bed sitting room. He even found time to make an undisputed classic, -(undisputed by me), with Petulia from 1968. His 70’s work does seem to have been dictated by purely commercial considerations as opposed to the purpose he seemed to have in the 60’s but he still managed to make a great British disaster movie, Juggernaut, with Richard Harris and an all star cast, the wonderfully romantic robin and Marion and his very successful Musketeer films. I’m not a big fan of his superman films but if one looks at his body of work and that of Donner then there is no contest as to who is the better director overall.

  22. Guys, the fact that Superman II- Donner Cut is good at all is a small miracle. After doing his shoots for the first film he was never asked by the Salkinds to come back. If the film was already this good I think we can all agree that if Donner was asked to finish the damn thing Superman II would have been nothing short of an Empire Strikes Back-level masterstroke.

    Donner always expected to come back and find an ending for Superman II after the first shoot. The ending from the first film was used because they had nothing else. Richard Lester is a no-talent hack and Salkind yes man. He reshot Donner’s stuff so he could take credit for it. Superman III is a better expression of what Lester can do and it pretty much sank the franchise.

    So let’s not go comparing what Donner had from his first shoot (with no time to complete the movie) to what Lester made WITH Donner’s stuff AND all the time in the world to shoot around it. Lester added dumb scenes like the Paris opening (thugs steal an ATOM BOMB?!) and slapstick adds like wigs falling off and ice cream falling off its cone. The man should be shot for defacing Superman II… not given credit for making a better film. That’s just… farcical. Donner’s Cut wasn’t completed and should never have been released. It’s fun to see how much better his stuff is, but that’s all.

  23. I think the Richard Donner cut is the best version of Superman II, I was glad to see Marlon Brando some of those Fortress of Solitude scenes and it felt like I was watching the second film of a two part story.

    Sure it may only be rough cut film and the scene where Lois shoots Clarke to find out he’s Superman has been taken from an early screen test and was never filmed properly but I don’t care about that.

    Overall, I think the Richard Donner cut is the definitive way to watch Superman II.

  24. The Version That I Prefer And That I Watch Of 1978’s Superman Is The Original 1978 Theatrical Version (143 Mins), The Version That I Prefer And That I Watch Of 1980’s Superman II Is The 2006 Richard Donner Cut (122 Mins).

  25. Richard Donner Should Have Had Completed And Shot And Finished 100% Of Superman II Instead Of Getting Fired By The Salkinds And Getting Replaced By Richard Lester As Well As Also John Williams Should Have Had Came Back As Composer Instead Of Getting Replaced By Ken Thorne.

  26. Superman II (1980): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman/Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    Jor-El – Marlon Brando
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Otis – Ned Beatty
    Eve Teschmacher – Valerie Perrine
    General Zod – Terence Stamp
    Non – Jack O’Halloran
    Ursa – Sarah Douglas
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Donner
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler & Richard Lester
    Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw
    Screenplay By Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman & Tom Mankiewicz
    Story By Mario Puzo
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By John Williams
    Director Of Photography: Geoffrey Unsworth
    Editor: Stuart Baird
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Production Designer: John Barry
    Art Director: Norman Reynolds
    Set Designer: Peter Howitt
    Costume Designer: Yvonne Blake
    Make-Up Artist: Stuart Freeborn
    Special Effects Supervisor: Derek Meddings
    Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
    Filming Dates:
    3/28/1977 – 3/10/1980
    Release Date:
    6/15/1980 (USA)

  27. Richard Donner Should Have Had Completed And Shot And Finished 100% Of 1980’s Superman II Instead Of Getting Fired By The Salkinds And Getting Replaced By Richard Lester As Well As Also John Williams Should Have Had Came Back To Score 1980’s Superman II Instead Of Getting Fired By The Salkinds And Getting Replaced By Ken Thorne.

  28. The Only Version Of 1978’s Superman That I Prefer And That I Like And That I Watch Is The Original 1978 Theatrical Version (143 Mins).

  29. The Only Version Of 1980’s Superman II That I Prefer And That I Watch And That I Like Is The 2006 Richard Donner Cut (122 Mins).

  30. Superman (1978): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Teenage Clark Kent – Jeff East
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    Jor-El – Marlon Brando
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Otis – Ned Beatty
    Jonathan Kent – Glenn Ford
    Martha Kent – Phyllis Thaxter
    Lara – Susannah York
    Kryptonian Elder #1 – Trevor Howard
    Kryptonian Elder #2 – Harry Andrews
    Vond-Ah – Maria Schell
    Eve Teschmacher – Valerie Perrine
    General Zod – Terence Stamp
    Non – Jack O’Halloran
    Ursa – Sarah Douglas
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Donner
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler & Richard Lester
    Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw
    Screenplay By Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton & Tom Mankiewicz
    Story By Mario Puzo
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By John Williams
    Director Of Photography: Geoffrey Unsworth
    Editor: Stuart Baird
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Production Designer: John Barry
    Art Directors: Norman Reynolds, Stuart Craig
    Set Designer: Peter Howitt
    Costume Designer: Yvonne Blake
    Make-Up Artist: Stuart Freeborn
    Visual Effects Supervisors: Derek Meddings, Colin Chilvers, Roy Field
    Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
    Second Unit Director: John Barry
    Filming Dates:
    3/28/1977 – 10/28/1977
    Release Date:
    6/30/1978 (USA)

  31. Superman II (1980): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    Jor-El – Marlon Brando
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Otis – Ned Beatty
    Eve Teschmacher – Valerie Perrine
    General Zod – Terence Stamp
    Non – Jack O’Halloran
    Ursa – Sarah Douglas
    Sheriff – Clifton Jones
    President – E.G. Marshall
    Controller #1 – John Ratzenberger
    Controller #2 – Shane Rimmer
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Donner
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler & Richard Lester
    Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw
    Screenplay By Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman & Tom Mankiewicz
    Story By Mario Puzo
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By John Williams
    Director Of Photography: Geoffrey Unsworth
    Editor: Stuart Baird
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Production Designer: John Barry
    Art Directors: Norman Reynolds, Stuart Craig
    Set Designer: Peter Howitt
    Costume Designer: Yvonne Blake
    Make-Up Artist: Stuart Freeborn
    Visual Effects Supervisors: Derek Meddings, Colin Chilvers, Roy Field
    Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
    Second Unit Director: John Barry
    Filming Dates:
    3/28/1977 – 3/10/1980
    Release Date:
    6/19/1980 (USA)

  32. Superman III (1983): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Supergirl – Helen Slater
    Kara Zor-El – Helen Slater
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    Brainiac – John Hurt
    Mr. Mxyzptlk – Dudley Moore
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Lester
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind & Pierre Spengler
    Screenplay By David Newman & Leslie Newman
    Story By Ilya Salkind
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By Ken Thorne
    Director Of Photography: Robert Paynter
    Editor: John Victor Smith
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Filming Dates:
    June 1982 – November 1982
    Release Date:
    6/17/1983 (USA)

  33. Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    Lenny Luthor – Jon Cryer
    Nuclear Man #1 – Clive Mantle
    Nuclear Man #2 – Mark Pillow
    Nuclear Man #2 (Voice) – Gene Hackman
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    President – Robert Beatty
    Lara (Voice) – Susannah York
    Crew:
    Directed By Sidney J. Furie
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind & Pierre Spengler
    Screenplay By David Newman, Leslie Newman, Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal
    Story By Lawrence Konner & Mark Rosenthal
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By Alexander Courage
    Director Of Photography: Ernest Day
    Editor: John Shirley
    Filming Dates:
    August 1986 – 1/29/1987
    Release Date:
    7/24/1987 (USA)

  34. Superman Lives (1998): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Nicolas Cage
    Clark Kent – Nicolas Cage
    Lex Luthor – Kevin Spacey
    Jor-El (Archive Footage) – Marlon Brando
    Lara (Archive Footage) – Susannah York
    Kryptonian Elder #1 – Gary Oldman
    Kryptonian Elder #2 – Johnny Depp
    Krptonian Elder #3 – Jim Carrey
    Lois Lane – Sandra Bullock
    Perry White – Sean Penn
    Jimmy Olsen – Chris Rock
    Brainic (Motion Capture/Voice) – Lance Henriksen
    Doomsday (Motion Capture/Voice) – Robin Atkin Downes
    Cyborg Superman – Nicolas Cage
    Eradicator – David Hyde Pierce
    Mercy Graves – Famke Janssen
    L-Ron (Voice) – Dwight Ewell
    Batman – Michael Keaton
    Deadshot – Will Smith
    Bill Clinton (Archive Footage) – Himself
    Hilary Clinton (Archive Footage) – Herself
    Crew:
    Directed By Tim Burton
    Produced By Jon Peters
    Executive Producers: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Peter Guber
    Associate Producer: Denise Di Novi
    Co-Producer: Kevin Smith
    Screenplay By Kevin Smith
    Story By Wesley Strick & Dan Gilroy
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By Danny Elfman
    Director Of Photography: Stephen Czapsky
    Editor: Chris Lebenzon
    Casting By Debra Zane
    Production Designer: Rick Henrichs
    Art Director: Bo Welch
    Set Designer: Sylvain Despretz
    Costume Designer: Collen Attwood
    Concept Artist: Rolf Mohr
    Special Visual Effects And Animation By Industrial Light & Magic
    Visual Effects Supervisors: John Knoll, Mark A.Z. Dippe
    Special Make-Up Effects By Stan Winton Studios
    Make-Up Artists: Rick Baker, Stan Winston, Greg Cannon
    Sound Design By Skywalker Sound
    Sound Designers: Gary Rydstrom, Ben Burtt, Randy Thorn, Matthew Wood, Richard Hymns, Terry Porter
    Release Date:
    6/30/1998 (USA)
    Production Companies:
    Warner Bros. Pictures
    Peters Entertainment
    Tim Burton Productions
    Distributor:
    Warner Bros. Pictures (1998) (USA) (Theatrical)

  35. Top 10: Superheroes
    1. Superman (Clark Kent/Kal-El)
    2. Spider-Man (Peter Parker)
    3. Batman (Bruce Wayne)
    4. Captain America (Steve Rogers)
    5. Hulk (Bruce Banner)
    6. Iron Man (Tony Stark)
    7. Thor (Thor Odinson)
    8. Daredevil (Matt Murdock)
    9. Wolverine (James Howlett/Logan)
    10. Punisher (Frank Castle)

  36. Top 10: Supervillains
    1. The Joker
    2. Lex Luthor (Alexander Joseph)
    3. Venom (Eddie Brock)
    4. Green Goblin (Norman Osborn)
    5. Kingpin (Wilson Fisk)
    6. Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)
    7. Doctor Doom (Victor Von Doom)
    8. Red Skull (Johann Schmidt)
    9. Brainiac (Vril Dox)
    10. Doomsday

  37. Top 10: Superhero Films
    1. The Dark Knight (2008)
    2. Superman (1978)
    3. Spider-Man (2002)
    4. Batman (1989)
    5. Daredevil: Director’s Cut (2004)
    6. Hulk (2003)
    7. Iron Man (2008)
    8. Unbreakable (2000)
    9. Robocop: Unrated Director’s Cut (1987)
    10. Watchmen (2009)

  38. Top 10: Comic Book Issues
    1. Action Comics #1 (Jun 1938)
    2. Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug 1962)
    3. Detective Comics #27 (May 1939)
    4. Superman #75 (Jan 1993)
    5. The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988)
    6. Batman #500 (Oct 1993)
    7. The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Feb 1974)
    8. The Incredible Hulk #181 (Nov 1974)
    9. Batman #428 (Dec 1988)
    10. X-Men #94 (Aug 1975)

  39. Top 10: Alternate Versions Of Superhero Films
    1. Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)
    2. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
    3. Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice – Ultimate Edition (2016)
    4. Daredevil: Director’s Cut (2004)
    5. Spawn: Director’s Cut (1998)
    6. The Wolverine (Unrated) (2013)
    7. Blade: Trinity (Unrated) (2004)
    8. Superhero Movie (Unrated) (2008)
    9. Hancock (Unrated) (2008)
    10. Robocop: Unrated Director’s Cut (1987)

  40. Richard Donner Should Have Had Completed And Shot And Finished 100% Of Superman II Instead Of Getting Fired By The Salkinds And Getting Replaced By Richard Lester And John Williams Should Have Had Came Back To Do The Score Instead Of Getting Fired By The Salkinds And Getting Replaced By Ken Thorne.

  41. Superman (1978): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent (Teenager) – Jeff East
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    General Zod – Terence Stamp
    Non – Jack O’Halloran
    Ursa – Sarah Douglas
    Otis – Ned Beatty
    Eve Teschmacher – Valerie Perrine
    Jor-El – Marlon Brando
    Lara – Susannah York
    Vond-Ah – Maria Schell
    Kryptonian Elder #1 – Trevor Howard
    Kryptonian Elder #2 – Harry Andrews
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Jonathan Kent – Glenn Ford
    Martha Kent – Phyllis Thaxter
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Donner
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler & Richard Lester
    Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw
    Screenplay By Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, Robert Benton & Tom Mankiewicz
    Story By Mario Puzo
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By John Williams
    Director Of Photography: Geoffrey Unsworth
    Editor: Stuart Baird
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Production Designer: John Barry
    Art Directors: Norman Reynolds, Stuart Craig
    Set Designer: Peter Howitt
    Costume Designer: Yvonne Blake
    Make-Up Artist: Stuart Freeborn
    Visual Effects Supervisor: Derek Meddings
    Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
    Second Unit Director: John Barry
    Filming Dates:
    3/28/1977 – 10/28/1977
    Release Date:
    6/30/1978 (USA)
    Production Companies:
    Warner Bros. Pictures
    DC Comics
    Distributor:
    Warner Bros. Pictures (1978) (USA) (Theatrical)

  42. Superman II (1980): Cast/Crew
    Cast:
    Superman – Christopher Reeve
    Clark Kent – Christopher Reeve
    Lex Luthor – Gene Hackman
    General Zod – Terence Stamp
    Non – Jack O’Halloran
    Ursa – Sarah Douglas
    Otis – Ned Beatty
    Eve Teschmacher – Valerie Perrine
    Jor-El – Marlon Brando
    Lois Lane – Margot Kidder
    Perry White – Jackie Cooper
    Jimmy Olsen – Marc McClure
    Sheriff – Clifton Jones
    President – E.G. Marshall
    Controller #1 – John Ratzenberger
    Controller #2 – Shane Rimmer
    Crew:
    Directed By Richard Donner
    Produced By Alexander Salkind, Ilya Salkind, Pierre Spengler & Richard Lester
    Associate Producer: Charles F. Greenlaw
    Screenplay By Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman & Tom Mankiewicz
    Story By Mario Puzo
    Based On Characters Created By Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster
    Music By John Williams
    Director Of Photography: Geoffrey Unsworth
    Editor: Stuart Baird
    Casting By Lynn Stalmaster
    Production Designer: John Barry
    Art Directors: Norman Reynolds, Stuart Craig
    Set Designer: Peter Howitt
    Costume Designer: Yvonne Blake
    Make-Up Artist: Stuart Freeborn
    Visual Effects Supervisor: Derek Meddings
    Stunt Coordinator: Vic Armstrong
    Second Unit Director: John Barry
    Filming Dates:
    3/28/1977 – 3/10/1980
    Release Date:
    6/15/1980 (USA)
    Production Companies:
    Warner Bros. Pictures
    DC Comics
    Distributor:
    Warner Bros. Pictures (1980) (USA) (Theatrical)

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