Page 1 of Superman II - Director`s Cut?

From thedigitalbits.com:

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Also today, there are online reports from various Superman-themed websites (including Superman Cinema) that Warner Bros. and producer Ilya Salkind have finally negotiated a deal for the release of director Richard Donner`s original unused footage from Superman II. This would allow for the creation of a long-awaited Superman II: Director`s Cut that would be closer to the film Donner was crafting before the film was taken away from him by the studio back in 1979 and given to replacement director Richard Lester. Donner, as many of you know, also directed the original Superman: The Movie (the two films were shot, for the most part, simultaneously). The idea behind all of this, of course, is that Warner wants to release new DVD special editions of Superman II, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace in conjunction with the theatrical or DVD debut of Bryan Singer`s currently in production Superman Returns. The new film is expected to hit theaters in June 2006.

Oh boy, do I hope and pray that this gets a release. Hotdog or Empire ran an article on the deleted footage that Donner did a couple of years ago with some rare photos (Brando footage mainly) and I guess its one of those `holy grail of film` situations because it looked like it would NEVER turn up.

Special Editions of Superman 3 and 4 though? Again, all that missing footage (45mins from Supes 4) would be good to see but do they really warrant that much effort?

I think they all deserve the effort. Supie 3 is a highly underrated film in my opinion, demonstrating the Dick Lester style in full flow (Lorelei`s introductory strut through downtown Metropolis is a marvellous bit of comic timing and all the more wonderful for its cameos from Gordon Rollings, Bob Todd and Graham Stark). I`m not that familiar with Supie 4, but an alternative cut would be very interesting. As for Supie 2, I`d love to see the Dick Donner version.

The important thing is to preserve the original version and the bizzaro-world version and have both available, not just one or t`other. It`s why I get bent out of shape when some bright spark decides to "improve" a movie and then won`t let the original out of the vaults.

J Mark Oates

Man, I hope this news is true! I would LOVE a "Superman 2" Director`s Cut - it`s one of my dream dvds! Also, I`d love to see the original cut of "Superman 4" - it`s meant to make make much more sense and has a whole sub-story featuring the first Nuclear Man. :D

Please God (on the Supie II front. You can keep (or rather destroy forever) the other two for me I`m afraid. Just my opinion).

I really hope none of this gets used in Singer`s version. It would spoil the Donner version IMO.

Heard about this a while ago, and I must admit I`d love decent SE of Superman II. I already own all four films, and although the prospect of seeing if they can do anything to salvage Superman IV is intriguing, I probably won`t be shelling out for it again. The theatrical cut is a total abomination.

I hope so, i managed to track down some of the deleted scenes and definately looked a better version, esp at the fortress some more dialogue with lois and at the end of the movie superman destroys the fortress with his heat vision!. And the balcony scene near the end of the movie when superman drops off lois there is more dialogue. Very cool

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I really hope none of this gets used in Singer`s version. It would spoil the Donner version IMO.

Wasn`t/isn`t Singer incorporating the deleted scenes featuring Brando (Jor-El) in the new movie? How will this affect both movies ("Returns" and the "SM 2: Director`s Cut")??

I find it funny that they wait until Brando snuffs it before planning a Special Edition of Superman 2 featuring footage of the great actor himself! :/

I guess it`s because they dont have to pay him 7 Billion pounds for 4 seconds worth of screen time or whatever it was!!

This item was edited on Thursday, 29th September 2005, 17:55

That`s exactly it!

Although let`s not forget that the decision to use it now is only possible due to Brando`s estate suddenly seeing the dollar signs.