Superman The Movie

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, the earliest update begins at the bottom of the page

1999 - 22ND JUNE

22nd JUNE 2000

True or False? Your guess is good as mine

I know some of this is true, infact, most of it is, but audio commentary by John WIlliams is still a little hard for me to believe. Most of this news appeared on Aint It Cool News a while back, scroll down and see for yourself.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/uub/Forum15/HTML/014040.html :

'Hot off the press, this is good news for all you Superman fans out there! Can't wait.
Warner Bros is releasing all the Superman titles (I-IV) on DVD -- with the first slated as a special edition. Superman - The Movie is a 2-disc set that will include (tentatively) audio commentary by director Richard Donner, a separate music-only track featuring the wonderfully beautiful score by John Williams PLUS his commentary on the film. There will be special features on the casting of Superman, screen tests, a documentary on the making of the film, theatrical trailer, TV spots, deleted scenes, audio outtakes, as well as an extensive cast and crew bio/filmography. Warner Home Video is puttin' a load of money into this DVD and it will include special motion menus and scene transitions on the DVD. It will be in Widescreen and digitally mastered, both picture and sound. Superman II will have much less. A theatrical trailer, screen tests, and deleted scenes. The other two will be quite generic. The release date isn't set in stone and not available 'till the fall.'

15th JUNE 2000

No announcement just yet

DVDFILE say that Warner Home Video will not be making an announcement on the Superman DVDs till late summer. Previously they said that they would spill the beans in Spring, but looks like we won't hear anything official till August.

Patience everyone. Good things come to those who wait.

28th APRIL 2000

Ain't It Cool News reports some exciting news

Hey there, it's Dennett once again.

Thought this might pique your interest...

Warner Bros is releasing all the Superman titles (I-IV) on DVD -- with the first slated as a special edition. Superman--The Movie is a 2-disc set that will include (tentatively) audio commentary by dir Richard Donner, a separate music-only track featuring the wonderfully beautiful score by John Williams PLUS his commentary on the film. There will be special features on the casting of Superman, screen tests, a documentary on the making of the film, theatrical trailer, TV spots, deleted scenes, audio outtakes, as well as an extensive cast and crew bio/filmography.

Warner Home Video is puttin' a load of money into this DVD and it will include special motion menus and scene transitions on the DVD. It will be in Widescreen and digitally mastered, both picture and sound.
Superman II will have much less. A theatrical trailer, screen tests, and deleted scenes. The other two will be quite generic.
The release date isn't set in stone and not available 'till the fall.

Some of this is true, but I rather hear it from Donner's people because I'm not sure a 2 disc set was going to happen. I can't believe John Williams would commentate on his score, John doesn't really look back on his scores unless he is performing in concerts. But, it would be amazing to hear John Williams talk about the score.

Superman 2 deleted scenes???? Hmmm, Will Donner's footage make it onto the disc. Things are hotting up!!!

26th APRIL 2000

Official Superman DVD LATEST!!!

www.dvdfile.com have posted the following news :

Since the anticipation continues to build on the forthcoming SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE DVD release from Warner, we thought it was time to check in with Director Richard Donner's production office regarding the DVD to see if any early news could be gleaned, who did have a few juicy tidbits to share.
As you SUPERMAN fans undoubtedly know, there was a substantial amount of footage shot at the time of the first SUPERMAN that was not used for the film or ended up being incorporated into Richard Lester's SUPERMAN II (a fact which Mr. Donner has reportedly not been pleased about, as well as some of the actors like Gene Hackman). However, according to Donner's folks, the DVD, while containing some extra footage, will not run the 30 to 40 minutes longer that some fans have hoped, but more along the lines of
"about 15 minutes". However, this footage will be incorporated into a longer cut of the film, and as per Donner's wishes, both the original version and the longer cut will be accessible from the same DVD.
So, I'd assume this would indicate seamless branching of some sort, but particulars remain unknown. Also, Donner "will be involved with supplementary materials' for the DVD, though again no exact particulars. Lastly, as for a theatrical release of SUPERMAN before the DVD, we'll "have to ask Warner" that one. According to Warner, an announcement on SUPERMAN plans is due "this spring", so I guess we won't have to wait too much longer...

There you go, this is officially confirmed. I believe the right decision has been made, the 15minutes will make it a stronger film. I'm sure many are disappointed that the entire 45 minutes will not be on the DVD, but hopefully, any remaining material will be available in the supplementary section. I'm pretty sure that the Superman & Jor-El scene will be in the director's cut, also, the trial by bullets, fire and ice will make it. The rest will probably round off some other scenes, I.e. extra dialogue between Jor-El and the council which is extremely important because it really shows how cold these people are. Also, Superman WAITING for the Hackensack rocket, this is a terrific scene.

Warner Bros. have confirmed that Superman2,3 and 4 are being re-mastered as I write this, looks like a box-set will be out soon. As far as I know, Superman The Movie might be sold first before a box-set comes out.

The Donner S2 footage and S4 cut footage would be awesome additions, I really hope it will happen, but I'll believe it when I read an official press release. Hopefully, an announcement this Spring will make things very clear.

All these features will be on the DVD:
The Theatrical film
Director's cut which will feature about 15 minutes of additional footage
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Making Of
New Documentary
Stills archive and more
Commentary

All on one disc.

5th APRIL 2000

Superman DVD, nothing new

www.filmforce.net have posted some info on the Superman DVD, nothing new :

The new Superman the Movie DVD is due out in October 2000. This promises to feature tons of frills including a stills archive, interviews, and more. But one of the definitive highlights will be some cut scenes added to the film. You see, when Superman hit the big screen in the 70’s, there was a lot of stuff that was cut out. About 40 minutes of stuff. Like what, you ask? More stuff with the Kryptonian elders, more on the destruction of Krypton, more of Clark discovering the crystal, more of Superman’s heroics, Superman talking to Jor El about his adventures, more of Lex Luthor stealing the missile, and much more. Convinced to check it out yet? Apparently this DVD will also give you the option of watching the original edition or the special edition. This footage aired on ABC many moons ago, but this is an incredible opportunity to own it.

14th MARCH 2000

More on Superman BOX-SET

The Wilsons :

A titbit you might be interested to hear is that the Superman movies are being readied for a four-pack box-set release (movies I-IV) before Christmas from Warner.

This information comes from the owner of UK-based DVD company *********, who don't really indulge in idle speculation as they deal directly with the companies. We are on good terms with the owner. We'll keep you posted on any further developments.

By the way, for Dick Donner fans, Warner are currently putting together a director's cut box-set of the Lethal
Weapon series on DVD.

11th MARCH 2000

Superman BOX-SET?

Digital Bits Rumour Mill section says that a planned Superman movie box set might hit stores by Christmas if restoration goes well. Superman CINEMA cannot confirm if this report is true, but it looks a major possibility. The questions on everyone's lips is 134 minute cut of 4 and Donner footage for S2 disc?

Patience, we'll know in the next few months or days, even.

6th MARCH 2000

Studio Day report

Gaijin 26 :

I happened to attend Studio Day at Dave's Video in Studio City, CA on Saturday, and managed to corner a WB DVD representative very briefly on the progress of SUPERMAN. If you don't know what Studio Day is, you can get details from www.dvdfile.com

Although the representative was a bit cagey in details, he would at least confirm that Richard Donner was currently supervising the remastering process. At the very least, this may mean that the film has moved out of the planning stages. When asked about a director's cut, he could only state that he couldn't comment. It's not much to go on, but it does give hope.

As an aside, I watched a demonstration of the upcoming THE ABYSS DVD to be released March 21 here. Amazingly, we were told that the work done on that release only started in August of last year. Considering that they were preparing a two-disc set that included the theatrical and director's cut as well as a second disc with a ton of extra features, this would indicate to me that SUPERMAN could still be well on track for a fall release, especially if the original elements weren't in very bad shape, as you pointed out.

A new cut?

www.fandom.com/superman :

An inside source has reported to me that progress on the "Superman: The Movie" DVD is going very well. The final edit will include some of the best material from the ABC-TV extended version with computer enhancements, interviews, stills archive, and more. It promises to be spectacular. The DVD is tentatively slated for an October 2000 release.

Superman CINEMA can now confirm that this report is TRUE. I'll keep you updated.

2nd DECEMBER

Release date

A friend of mine has seen the WB 2000 DVD schedule and it has Superman under October. So at this stage everything seems okay.

22nd NOVEMBER

Studio Day report

Saturday was the Studio Day in LA. for dvds and videos and this was the report from www.dvdfile.com :

Well, I suppose Superman should start things off. I was very curious about this one, given all the reports of the DVD recently. Indeed, discussions have begun on these titles. However, there are some issues regarding these titles, namely the extensive restoration work needed and the participation of the filmmakers including director Richard Donner. However, though it is all in the planning stages, according to Warner, actual production hasn't really begun on Superman, and there is also the status of the troubled Superman Lives remake, which could affect marketing decisions for any
Superman DVDs. So, a release in 2000 just may or may not happen.

7th OCTOBER

What version on DVD ?

The official word at this stage is : Both the theatrical and extended cut of the film will be presented. So everyone wins!!!! The film will be presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and of course the entire print will be remastered!!! Jim Bowers has recieved a huge amount of feedback, thank you very much for taking the time.

4th OCTOBER

Suggestions IMMEDIATLEY

Jim Bowers is the Superman DVD consultant, he is taking your ideas and suggestions on the DVD, what do you want to see ? I have my list, and will make it available via my new editorial soon. Don't be shy, e-mail me your suggestions and I will pass it onto Jim ASAP. There is no deadline yet, but Jim did use the word IMMEDIATELY!!!!

To throw some ideas at you, ANAMORPHIC widescreen print, isolated score (wouldn't be fair on Rhino though) trailers, new interviews etc. E-mail me now, I will publish some of your ideas on this page. my mail address is gandalfdc@aol.com Pass this onto DVD websites if possible and tell your DVD friends!
Please, if you have any questions talk to us, don't bombard Warner Bros or Donner's representatives.

27th SEPTEMBER