Tributes also poured in on Twitter Monday, including from “Goonies” star Sean Astin.
“Richard Donner had the biggest, boomiest voice you could imagine,” Astin wrote. “He commanded attention and he laughed like no man has ever laughed before. Dick was so much fun. What I perceived in him, as a 12 year old kid, is that he cared. I love how much he cared.”
Director Kevin Smith tweeted that, “Richard Donner made the devil a child in The Omen, invented the modern day comic book movie with Superman, and reinvented the buddy cop movie with Lethal Weapon. I got to meet with him last year about a project. Guy was a natural born storyteller. Thanks for all the flicks, Dick!”
Lauren Shuler Donner, his wife and producing partner, told the Hollywood trade Deadline that Donner died Monday.
Donner gained fame with his first feature, 1976âs âThe Omen.â A then-unheard-of offer followed: $1 million to direct 1978âs âSuperman.â Donner channeled his love of the character into making the film, repeatedly facing off with producers over the need for special effects that would convince the audience that a superhero could really fly. In the title role, Donner cast Christopher Reeve, who was associated with âSupermanâ for the rest of his life.
By the 21st century, the genre was dominating the box office in the U.S. and thriving overseas. The heads of Marvel Studios and DC Entertainmentâproducers of most of todayâs superhero fareâ both worked for Donner when they were starting out in Hollywood.
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Superman, Lethal Weapon, Goonies director Richard Donner dies at 91 He and his wife also founded The Donners Company in 1993, which has produced such hits as Deadpool, The Wolverine and the X-Men franchise.
In this file photo taken on June 07, 2017, director/producer Richard Donner attends An Academy Tribute To Filmmaker Richard Donner at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in Beverly Hills, California. VALERIE MACON / AFP
06 Jul 2021 07:41AM Share this content
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Filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s Superman and mastered the buddy comedy with the Lethal Weapon franchise, has died. He was 91.
Richard Donner arrives at the American Film Institute’s 41st Lifetime Achievement Gala in 2013 in Los Angeles. The filmmaker, who helped create the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s “Superman” and mastered the buddy comedy with the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, has died. He was 91.
Katy Winn/Invision/AP
Filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s “Superman” and mastered the buddy comedy with the “Lethal Weapon” franchise, has died. He was 91.
Donner died Monday in Los Angeles, his family said through a spokesperson.
Donner gained fame with his first feature, 1976’s “The Omen.” A then-unheard-of offer followed: $1 million to direct 1978’s “Superman.” Donner channeled his love of the character into making the film, repeatedly facing off with producers over the need for special effects that would convince the audience that a superhero could really fly. In the title role, Donner cast Christopher Reeve,
By the 21st century, the genre was dominating the box office in the U.S. and thriving overseas. The heads of Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment producers of most of today’s superhero fare both worked for Donner when they were starting out in Hollywood.
Steven Spielberg, who produced “The Goonies, wrote in a statement that, “Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres. Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favorite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and of course the greatest Goonie of all. He was all kid. All heart. All the time. I can’t believe he’s gone, but his husky, hearty laugh will stay with me always.”