Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (Part 1 of 3)

Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (Part 1 of 3)

Just like Batman Returns, Superman II has been debated among the fans for over 20 years now. When it was released, most people didn’t know that there was another version to the movie. The normal movie-going public wasn’t aware that part 2 was filmed at the same time as part 1. Basically, the call sheet would have the crew filming parts 1 and 2 on the same day, but something happened. About 75% into production, Part 1 was running behind schedule and something had to give. Richard Lester suggested to Donner that perhaps he should cease production on Superman II and just concentrate on Superman 1. Donner figured that once he was finished with part 1 the Salkind family (Whom were owned the movie rights to Superman) would let him finish up the Superman II. Little did Donner know that the Salkinds would fire him after Superman 1 was completed. This was despite the fact that critics and audiences loved Superman 1.

With 70-75% of Superman II completed, the Salkinds promoted comedy director Lester into the big chair. As director, Lester envisioned the Superman franchise as more of a comic book camp movie. So, Lester threw out many of the serious scenes that Donner filmed and replaced them with witty comments and comedic sight gags. Superman II ended up being a little bit more uneven with the comedic and serious tones competing with one another. I remembered being horrified when the three villains landed on the moon and brutally killed the three astronauts, but then the silly sight gags in the wind-blowing scene in the streets confused me and it wasn’t very funny.

Lester believed that the comedic elements enhanced the film, and some of this rubbed off Donner with all the Otis and Luthor scenes. However, we got to see what kind of Superman movie Lester had in mind if he had 100% control, and that would be the dreadful Superman III.

Like Robert Wise with Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Donner was able to get another crack at his material with enhancements. Part of this had to do with the Internet fan movement demanding that WB let him complete his film. To everyone’s surprise, WB agreed to the restoration of Donnor’s Cut…

Here's Superman realizing he didn’t wear his Kryptonite condom. (Which would later come back to haunt him in Superman Returns) Not even Superman can avoid Child Support

______________________________________________________I just love when Superman reflects the eye beams back at Zod, one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

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This scene is completely cut from Donner’s cut.