Superman: Ultimate Collector’s Edition

This from several sources:

“Late in 2006 (tentatively in November, timed to coincide with the DVD release of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns), look for a 14-disc Superman: Ultimate Collector’s Edition box set. This will feature new deluxe editions of all four of the original feature films, including a Superman II: Special Edition with something called The Donner Cut. This is being assembled by editor Michael Thaw based on the film’s original shooting script and Donnor’s original notes. At least 50% of the film will be footage you’ve never seen, more than 70% of it directed by Donner. You’ll also get Richard Lester’s final theatrical cut of the film. The Donner Cut will only be available on DVD in the Ultimate Collector’s Edition box set, although it will also be released in HD-DVD (and likely Blu-ray Disc if that format is available).”

“We were actually shown a clip of the new Donner Cut at the event – the original opening to Superman II, in which Lois Lane notices a picture of Superman in a copy of The Daily Planet… and then she looks at Clark Kent standing nearby… and she begins drawing glasses, a suit and hat on the picture of Superman. She figures it out. Then she tells Clark she knows who she really is… and jumps out Perry White’s office window to prove she’s right. Clark runs at super-speed downstairs, and blows up at the falling Lois to slow her fall. She lands safely in a fruit stand, by which time Clark has already run back upstairs to preserve his identity. Someone asks him where Lois is, and he replies, “Uh… she just stepped out for a minute.”

“An interesting thing to note however, is that it seems Richard Donner himself hasn’t yet been involved (and is not involved in cutting the new version of the film). During the event, I chatted with AICN’s Drew McWeeny (well known as “Moriarty” over there) who told me that he’s been interviewing Donner recently (watch for that to be posted on AICN soon). The director has reportedly told Drew that he’s not really interested in revisiting the film. When asked during the event what Donner’s involvement was (whether or not he’d do commentary, etc), Warner execs said, “That’s still to be decided.” Our guess is that the studio is still negotiating with Donner to participate, and that it’s merely a matter of a dollar figure that everyone is happy with.”

The box set is set to contain:

Superman Theatrical cut
Superman Director’s Cut
Superman Special Features

Superman II Theatrical cut
Superman II Donner cut
Superman II Special Features

Superman III Theatrical cut
Superman III Extended cut
Superman III Special Features

Superman IV Theatrical cut
Superman IV 134 min cut

Supergirl Theatrical cut
Supergirl International cut
Supergirl Special Features