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Let us know Donner's side of the story on Superman II. In an interview with Steve Soderburgh, Richard Lester explained that he was the first choice to direct, but turned the Salkinds down after making the two "Musketeer" films. (All fanboys should consider reading the book "Getting Away with It" with this interview.) The Salkinds talked Lester into being an on-set producer, and contributed to shooting part of the first film. The Salkinds disatisfaction with Donner is why Richard Lester picked up the directorial chores for Superman 2 and 3. Why is the Donner cut of Superman 2 considered so important, especially when you consider he wasn't the first choice to direct the series?

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First, I'm a Spider-man fan, and I believe there is a big divide between fans of Superman and fans of Spider-man. Superman represents an idealized hero, while Spider-man is a down to earth everyman. Superman is the dream to be realized, Spidey is the day to day reality. You can appreciate both but ultimately you choose one or the other as your hero. That said, I sometimes love Superman in his modern incarnation and wince at his older Golden and silver age incarnations that have nonsensical stories even by comic book standards. Superman the movie was an homage to the best of the pre-crisis Superman or since DC hadn't had crisis yet, the best of Classic Superman from the 40's 50's and some 60's. Even if you thought spinning the world back in time was ludicous, you cried with him at Lois's death and wanted him to do it. There was some comedy but always Superman/Clark was there when the chips were down. Superman II was the end of that. It was the beginning of the camp version where everything was an opportunity for a joke. That was Lester's vision. Comic books are fun so even in what should be a kicka$$ battle you go for laughs like a swing by one baddy knocking another baddy into the Empire State Building. Having just seen the Donner Clip I realize that his vision of Superman being able to slug the guy is better. Also you don't need to go off to Niagra falls for sitcom antics. Center it in the Daily Planet. This is where Lois would really figure out something about Clark rather than just have Clark make such a slip of his idenity(though I think in the orignial version he must have had a freudian slip into the fire place really having wanted to tell Lois). Lester 2 was still good but it lead to 3 which was just awful. Donner 2 is what I hope will be the big payoff for classic Superman action and story. Too bad Singer didn't see it before Superman returned.

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At the time of Superman, Donner was Mr. The Omen, not Mr. Goonies & Lethal Weapon, so it's almost but not quite forgiveable that he was booted off the franchise that started with the best superhero movie yet made. It's great that Donner's version will get its day in court.

And I agree with Scott about the original Superman. It wasn't just a good superhero movie. It was just plain good. You get the feeling watching it that they weren't just trying to make a pile of money. They were trying to make a good movie. Superb writing. Great directing. And let's face it, Chris Reeves, the man who was destined to play Superman.

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