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    Back to The Business

    The Business

    Richard Donner Remembers the Crazy Backstory of 'Superman'

    Veteran director Richard Donner tells us about the behind-the-scenes adventures of making the original comic book blockbuster Superman in 1978.

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    By Kim Masters • Apr 23, 2016 • 29m Listen

    Filmmaker Richard Donner recounts his experience directing Superman, from the minute he first got the call (while he was sitting on the toilet hung over), to the casting of Christopher Reeve and working with Marlon Brando (who initially wanted his character to look like a donut and refused to memorize any lines). Donner also reflects on the current trend of superhero movies and why he thinks it may be time for audiences to "grow up."

    Photo: Director Richard Donner on the set of Superman with Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 1:19

      Hollywood News Banter

      Indiewire executive editor Michael Schneider joins Kim Masters to discuss top entertainment news stories of the week.

      Read the story
      7 min
    2. 8:21

      Richard Donner's 'Superman'

      Earlier this month, to mark the opening of Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman, Stephen Galloway at the Hollywood Reporter talked to filmmaker Richard Donner about the crazy backstory behind the making of the original Superman movie.

      Read the story
      21 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kim Masters

      partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kaitlin Parker

      Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

      CultureEntertainmentArts

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 1:197 min

      Hollywood News Banter

    2. 8:2121 min

      Richard Donner's 'Superman'

    Back to The Business