Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006)

In Richard Donner's original vision of Superman II, the Man of Steel faces his greatest challenge yet! Three villainous outcasts, Non (Jack O'Halloran), Ursa (Sarah Douglas), and their leader, General Zod (Terence Stamp), are freed from the Phantom Zone only to wreak havoc, devastation, and chaos unto Earth. While this occurs, Clark Kent and Superman (Christopher Reeve), now revealed to Lois (Margot Kidder) as one and the same, begins a forbidden romance with her that ends with the extinguishing of his powers as Earth's greatest savior for the woman he loves, all despite his father, Jor-El's (Marlon Brando) warnings. Meanwhile, Superman's arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), has escaped from prison with the help of Miss Teschmacher (Valerie Perrine). Hilarit ensues after Luthor discovers the Fortress of Solitude, and learning of the Three Deviant villains, rushes to aid them in their attempt at World Domination and revenge on Superman. It all boils down to an epic battle in which Revenge, Love, and a Legacy between Father and Son culminate.

Trivia: Most of the new scenes in this cut were shot during the production of the original Superman (1978). They had to be re-written and re-shot by Richard Lester because, under Director's Guild rules, he had to direct more than half the film to be credited. One exception to this is the new alternate scene where Lois discovers Clark's true identity by shooting him. Richard Donner was never able to shoot this scene during principal photography. The take now used in this cut was actually used as a screen test for Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. The actor playing Clark Kent yelling out to Lois Lane after she jumps out of the Daily Planet is not Christopher Reeve. An uncredited actor was brought in to film the shot for the scene for the DVD release. The green crystal Clark picks up in the Fortress of Solitude is a prop from Superman Returns (2006). A shot of editor Michael Thau's hands was used for Clark picking up the green crystal.

Okay, here is the story. Richard Donner, the director of Superman, simultaneously shot footage for Superman II. Supposedly he got about 70% of the movie shot before it was shut down for going over budget and to finish Superman and get it into theaters. Due to creative differences and money concerns (about having to pay Marlon Brando) Donner was not allowed to finish and eventually another director was brought in. But, since the Director's Guild rules say that to receive a directing credit the director has to have shot over 50% of the movie, and due to the fact that all of Marlon Brando's scenes were cut out, Richard Lester reworked the story and re shot a lot of the movie. So basically the movie you know and love as Superman II is really a conglomeration of scenes from two directors. In a moved that is pretty much unprecedented, Warner Brothers not only allowed Donner to go back and re cut the film, but they encouraged it. As for the 2 movies. I think the Donner cut is better then the Lester cut simply because it is a more consistent story from movie 1 to movie 2. It also keeps the arc of the Marlon Brando character from movie 1. The father/son relationship really pays off in the Donner cut and better explains how Superman is able to regain his powers after Brando says that once he loses them, he can never go back (the father sacrifices the rest of his power to infuse the son, knowing they will never be able to be together again). So if you loved Superman, you need to see Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut.