Richard Donner at an Academy tribute to 2017's career. Photo courtesy of Valerie Macon/AFP ( Getty Images ).Richard Donner, Superman's director, has died at the age of 91.AdvertisementAfter a brief stint in acting, Donners career began as a director. Credits include The Twilight Zone and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. After directing a few smaller pieces in the 60s and 70s, Donner's first big break was in the helming of The Omen, a smash hit thriller. In 1978, Donner became a superhero filmmaker with Superman, and in 1978 he cast Christopher Reeves to play the DC Comics legend Man of Tomorrow. This changed the landscape of superhero movies for a new generation. Donner had originally planned to return for Superman II. However, behind-the scenes disputes with the film producers led to Richard Lester replacing Donner. Donner's work was not credited in the final Superman II. Warner Bros. released Superman II The Richard Donner Cut on home-video in 2006. This coincided with Bryan Singers filmic reboot Superman Returns.Donner was a successful producer and director, most notably in the Lethal Weapon franchise of the late 80s and early 90s. He also began a working relationship in Maverick with Mel Gibson, which continued in Conspiracy Theory.Variety reports that no cause of death was revealed. Lauren Schuler Donner, his wife, is his survivor.Are you curious about where our RSS feed went. The new one can be found here.
