Superman, Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner dies
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LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film Writer
July 5, 2021
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FILE - Richard Donner arrives at the American Film Institute s 41st Lifetime Achievement Gala on June 6, 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. Lauren Shuler Donner, his wife and producing partner, told the Hollywood trade Deadline that Donner died Monday, July 5, 2021. (Photo by Katy Winn/Invision/AP, File)Katy Winn/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.
`Superman,â `Lethal Weaponâ director Richard Donner dies at 91 Share Updated: 7:19 PM EDT Jul 5, 2021 LINDSEY BAHR, Associated Press Share Updated: 7:19 PM EDT Jul 5, 2021
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GET ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATES Share Updated: 7:19 PM EDT Jul 5, 2021 LINDSEY BAHR, Associated Press 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.Lauren Shuler Donner, his wife and producing partner, told the Hollywood trade Deadline that Donner died Monday. 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
Published Monday, July 5, 2021 6:02PM EDT Last Updated Monday, July 5, 2021 6:17PM EDT 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. Lauren Shuler Donner, his wife and producing partner, told the Hollywood trade publication Deadline that Donner died Monday. 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, who was associated with “Superman” for the rest of his life.
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.