After years of protracted negotiations, Alexander and Ilya Salkind succeeded in buying the rights to "Superman" from DC Comics. Movies with the "Man of Steel" had been made before of course, but they had mostly been cheap B-productions. And that was certainly not what the Salkinds had in mind. The father & son corporation had visions of a big-time, Hollywood extravaganza with major-name actors.
First, they had to find a director. Ilya wanted to ask Steven Spielberg, but Alexander protested. He thought Spielberg was too busy with "that fish movie of his" and suggested Richard Donner instead. Since Donner just came from hit movie "The Omen", the younger Salkind agreed.
The first star to come on board was Marlon Brando. The fact that he was hot after winning an Oscar for "The Godfather" a few years earlier was reflected in his salary requests. Brando demanded (and was given) $4,5 million for the roughly 10 minutes he was in the film. To many people's surprise the actor refused to memorize his dialogue, instead demanding to be given his lines from cue cards behind the cameras.
Superstars like Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Sylvester Stallone were then approached to play the lead. Something they all declined. Explaining they didn't want to appear in front of a camera in a "silly suit" like that. So, the role instead went to unknown Christopher Reeves, who was contracted to make both "Superman" and its sequel. A deal that earnt him a paltry $250,000 for both films.
To save money, the Salkinds wanted to film "Superman" and "Superman II" simultaneously. That led to an upsetting conflict with Richard Donner, and it all ended with the director being fired. Although that in no way diminished the audience's interest. "Superman" was the number one film at the US box office for eleven weeks in a row. It would also inspire three sequels of descending quality.
First, they had to find a director. Ilya wanted to ask Steven Spielberg, but Alexander protested. He thought Spielberg was too busy with "that fish movie of his" and suggested Richard Donner instead. Since Donner just came from hit movie "The Omen", the younger Salkind agreed.
The first star to come on board was Marlon Brando. The fact that he was hot after winning an Oscar for "The Godfather" a few years earlier was reflected in his salary requests. Brando demanded (and was given) $4,5 million for the roughly 10 minutes he was in the film. To many people's surprise the actor refused to memorize his dialogue, instead demanding to be given his lines from cue cards behind the cameras.
Superstars like Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Sylvester Stallone were then approached to play the lead. Something they all declined. Explaining they didn't want to appear in front of a camera in a "silly suit" like that. So, the role instead went to unknown Christopher Reeves, who was contracted to make both "Superman" and its sequel. A deal that earnt him a paltry $250,000 for both films.
To save money, the Salkinds wanted to film "Superman" and "Superman II" simultaneously. That led to an upsetting conflict with Richard Donner, and it all ended with the director being fired. Although that in no way diminished the audience's interest. "Superman" was the number one film at the US box office for eleven weeks in a row. It would also inspire three sequels of descending quality.