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Flash back to 1978, and Superman: the Movie is smashing
box office records worldwide, But even today, few realize that
the story behind the production is one of almost utter chaos:
a tale of clashing egos, mismanagement and melodrama that has
become the stuff of Hollywood legend...
In 1974, producers Ilya and Alex Salkind conceived of big-screen
version of Superman that would feature high adventure, excitement
and breathtaking special effects. After securing the film rights
from DC Comics and arranging a "negative pickup" deal
with Warner to distribute the picture, the Salkinds recruited
Godfather scribe Mario Puzo to draft a story. But despite Puzo's
reputation, the Salkinds still needed the two most precious
commodities in Hollywood: stars...and money.
After numerous rewrites, the Salkinds ended up with a 560-page
screenplay for not one, but two movies, both to be filmed back
to back. And by offering then-astronomical salaries that sent
shockwaves through the industry, they enticed Gene Hackman and
Marlon Brando to jump on board, and managed to secure $17 million
in funding for their epic. Now, all they needed was a finished
script, a director...and a Superman.
After famed James Bond helmer Guy Hamilton bowed out, the Salkinds
tapped Richard Donner to take over the directorial reigns, then
red-hot after the huge box office success of his horror hit
The Omen. Bringing screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz on board to refashion
the script, the pair reimagined Superman: The Movie as a blockbuster
entertainment that would appeal to modern audiences yet not
betray the traditions of the original comic. Casting then unknown
Christopher Reeve in the dual role of Superman and Clark Kent,
and tapping some of the best behind-the-scenes talent in the
business, production began...
But what was to follow has since become a legendary tale of
Hollywood excess. The challenge of achieving the project's special
effects, the budget woes, and the behind-the-scenes flare-ups
would generate enough controversy for ten other movies combined.
And after shooting all of what was to become Superman: the Movie
and a reported 70% of Superman II, Donner was unceremoniously
fired form the project. Though Superman: The Movie would go
on to be a huge box office success, just what did really
go on behind the scenes?
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Now, over twenty years later, two documentarians have gone
back to Metropolis to not only fully restore and remaster Superman
for the digital age, but also uncover the real story behind
the production. Arriving May 1st from Warner Home Video, Superman:
The Movie - The Special Edition is a feature-packed DVD with
just about everything a fan could hope for, and the film has
never looked or sounded better.
DVDFILE recently talked with Restoration Supervisor and Special
Edition Producer Michael Thau and DVD Co-Producer Jonathan Gaines
about the project, as well as sitting in for a roundtable discussion
with Director Richard Donner and Screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz
to talk about the now-legendary production. So up, up, and away...
let's go behind the scenes of Superman: The Movie - The Special
Edition...
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