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Looks like the Donner cut of Superman II may have jumped through its legal hurdles!!! - Page 6

post #151 of 163
5/6/05 at 10:20am
Thread Starter 
Well, it's official....Singer himself has purchased the footage from Superman II.

Confirmation from Variety on Brando in Superman Returns (subscription required)

From BlueTights.net, who host Singer's video blogs from the set...


It's been rumored for some time, but it looks like it's finally official - Variety is reporting that Bryan Singer will indeed be using the late Marlon Brando as Jor-El:

As for "Superman Returns," Singer, partway through the shoot, said that he has added another star name to the cast: the late actor Marlon Brando. Brando will once again play Superman's father, Jor-El, thanks to vintage footage from the Richard DonnerRichard Donner-directed 1978 pic. Singer said he has purchased all of that footage and plans to use it somehow in the new picture.
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post #152 of 163
5/6/05 at 10:44am
Thanks, Nick.

Singer must mean they've paid off Brando's estate, rather than bought the actual footage itself. Since that's already owned by Warner Bros.

In any case, that's a major obstacle out of the way.

Things are starting to look good for a Donner cut, I'd say.
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post #153 of 163
5/6/05 at 11:10am
Quote:
Things are starting to look good for a Donner cut, I'd say.


why would they use the same footage, or different takes of the same material, on two different projects?
that really makes no sense.


i would think this pushes a 'Donner cut' of SII even farther away.
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post #154 of 163
5/6/05 at 11:20am
why would they use the same footage, or different takes of the same material, on two different projects?
that really makes no sense.


Well, it would make sense if it was used as a flashback to events that happened in Donner's version of Superman II.
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post #155 of 163
5/6/05 at 11:52am
Interesting. I suppose this means we will get to finally see this footage and that counts big even though I would rather see that footage where it really belongs. However, it does seem to raise more questions. As far as how the footage will appear in the new Superman film, will they cut around Christopher Reeve? Will the remove him digitally and replace him with the new guy? As far as cutting in the footage into a Donner Cut/SE DVD of Superman II, will they do it or will it even be possible. If the Donner Cut/SE does happen, it will surely be timed to be released in conjunction with the new film probably a few weeks before the new film is released. They would not want to put the Brando footage on the DVD and remove the impact from the new film. I wonder if it will be even possible. My understanding of the Brando Footage is that WB could have used for a DVD release any time they wanted to, but if they did, they were then obligated to pay Brando a substantial percentage of the gross of SII. WB apparently must have paid off the estate of Brando for permission to use the footage in the new film, but, if they did cut it back into SII as well, would the original deal still hold and WB would be required to pay the estate that percentage. Anyone know?
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post #156 of 163
5/6/05 at 1:38pm
That makes me optimistic about seeing Brando in SII. If they use it to flash back to a previous movie, it would make sense to see it in the movie they're flashing back to.
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post #157 of 163
5/6/05 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
Some rumors say that the footage won't be used in a flashback, but in a regular scene, somehow worked into the current film's plotline at a point after Superman returns to Earth.

Here's one theory, but from an untested, fairly new source

If this is indeed the case, I hope they still use that footage on the upcoming SE of Superman II (I'm assuming there will be one, partially restored Donner cut or not)

I don't think it's possible for us to see a real Donner cut of the film, but if the footage still exists, they could integrate a good chunk of what he filmed and use it to replace the crappy Lester scenes (like the Lois revolver test replacing Clark falling over a pink bear rug into the fire, and bringing in the cut Hackman scenes and dialogue).
If they budgeted a little extra money, they could probably have someone create the scene where the second Lex missile opens the Phantom Zone, as opposed to the Eiffel Tower nonsense.
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post #158 of 163
5/7/05 at 11:13am
I hate to change the focus of this thread, but I really didn't want to start up an entirely new one. So here's my question: Does anyone know if the Rhino 2-CD release of the Superman: The Movie soundtrack now out of print? I'm referring to this edition. I own it, but there's a crack on the hub of my second disc, and I was looking into buying a fresh copy. It's a great disc and it would be a shame if it's no longer available, but I have a feeling that is the case.
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post #159 of 163
5/8/05 at 5:58am
Britton, why do you post things like that because then it makes me want to hunt it down and buy it? Yes it looks out of print, but I know I've seen more than one Best Buy with it in stock.
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post #160 of 163
5/8/05 at 11:32am
Quote:
Britton, why do you post things like that because then it makes me want to hunt it down and buy it? Yes it looks out of print, but I know I've seen more than one Best Buy with it in stock.

Don't hesitate to get it then, trust me on this!
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post #161 of 163
5/8/05 at 1:07pm
Yes, I plan to today. If you still can't find a copy and I find more than one, send me an email.


Just checked Wal-mart.com. They have it for $26.88
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post #162 of 163
5/9/05 at 3:04am
The articles don't mention if the footage includes Superman 2 material
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post #163 of 163
5/9/05 at 7:28am
The articles don't mention if the footage includes Superman 2 material




"You know something, buddy? You're right!"

I wouldn't bet against it, though...
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