World Richard Donner comes off as a bitter old tool.

[Marcus M.]

Durning the DVD commentary of SM II Donner just couldn't stop taking little cheap shots at Lester, through out the whole commentary. He even says something like the other director...I forget his name or I can't remember his name.
I like his version of SM II, but what a tool.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

He does come off sort of bad in some of these interviews. I remember in one interview, I think it was over at IESB, Donner referred to Richard Lester as "Richard D!cks".

 

[matthooper]

You don't know what you are talking about. There is a backstory to their relationship. Donner's bad feelings toward Lester are not the fact that he took over as the director, it was how Lester got the job and how he stabbed Donner in the back.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

You don't know what you are talking about. There is a backstory to their relationship. Donner's bad feelings toward Lester are not the fact that he took over as the director, it was how Lester got the job and how he stabbed Donner in the back.

I hope that wasn't directed at me, because I do know the story. It was wrong how it went down but Donner still comes off kinda bad, even if it wasn't his fault.

 

[matthooper]

I hope that wasn't directed at me, because I do know the story. It was wrong how it went down but Donner still comes off kinda bad, even if it wasn't his fault.

No,no, It was a general statement and not directed at you or anyone personally.

My point is, by just seeing Donner's interview and not knowing the backstory, you might get the wrong impression. If Donner comes off as kind of an a-hole, it's only because he was screwed on so many levels by so many people.

As Batman said, "I made you, you made me first". So Donner may come off as the bad guy, but he was made that way by Lester and the Salkinds.

 

[Freddy_Krueger]

You don't know what you are talking about. There is a backstory to their relationship. Donner's bad feelings toward Lester are not the fact that he took over as the director, it was how Lester got the job and how he stabbed Donner in the back.

Exactly. Lester came off buddy/buddy with Donner at first, allowing him to know that he was just the go between for Donner and the Salkinds. He was there to help. But once he got Donner's job to finish Superman II, he didn't even bother to call Donner or get his blessing.

No class.

 

[matthooper]

Exactly. Lester came off buddy/buddy with Donner at first, allowing him to know that he was just the go between for Donner and the Salkinds. He was there to help. But once he got Donner's job to finish Superman II, he didn't even bother to call Donner or get his blessing.

No class.

..and goes beyond even that. Lester was secretly pushing for the job. Donner has every right to be pissed.

 

[MST3KPIMP]

I must admit that I was surprised how Donner came off somewhat cocky during the commentary and making of photage. It seems like everyones been telling him for years how great he is and how awful Lesters Supes 2 was that he's bought into his hype and is milking it for all it's worth. It seems in past interviews/commentaries he was more dignified and humble which made you want to root for him but now he seems to be playing the role of victim and it's a bit much. Don't get me wrong as I love this mans work and really enjoyed the Donner cut warts & all but I think a little humility is in order.

 

[C. Lee]

Durning the DVD commentary of SM II Donner just couldn't stop taking little cheap shots at Lester, through out the whole commentary. He even says something like the other director...I forget his name or I can't remember his name.
I like his version of SM II, but what a tool.

Hmmmm.....he said what I've heard most of the posters here say for years......so I guess there are lots of old tools around here.

 

[Morgoth]

Richard has the right to be the way he is, and it's funny as hell. I love to hear him insult that ****** who ruined Superman II and III. t:

 

[FreeRadical]

He does come off sort of bad in some of these interviews. I remember in one interview, I think it was over at IESB, Donner referred to Richard Lester as "Richard D!cks".

I remember that! I was wondering why Donner never seems to mention Lester by name, always calling him 'the other guy'. But after the way he was treated it's understandable.

Was Donner going to use Brainiac in the 3rd film if he was still involved? Because one of the Salkinds said that it was their idea in one of the documentaries in the Ulimate edition box set.

The Salkinds don't give up do they.

 

[ultimatefan]

It´s kind of understandable, given that he worked his ass off on the Superman movies and got fired after delivering a huge hit for the studio and another guy took over and not only reshot his work and did something very different from his vision, but actually took credit for some of his work that´s still in the movie.