I thought I was reasonably well informed about superhero movies, but I have been reading about the surprising story behind one of the best of the crop, Superman II, and its an eye opener.

You think the idea of filming multiple films together started with LOTR? Think again. Superman and Superman II were for a long time being filmed together. In fact as much as 70% of Superman II was complete when the studio got nervous, and instructed the Director Richard Donner to stop all work on 2, and finish the first. This he did, and the film was a massive success.

Due to ego issues between studio and director, Donner was fired, and another, Richard Lester brought in. Lester shot a lot of new footage and reworked a lot of the film. In the final screen version, a good third is Donners work, with the rest being Lesters. Which means vast amounts of Reeves footage is sitting on a shelf somewhere.

So what was different? The two films were original conceived as being very linked. Now 2 is simply a sequel. A number of crucial scenes, featuring Brando as Jor-El were cut. Its also noticable that many of the effects scenes Lester oversaw were done ona much lower budget than the original film.

There is gathering support for a 'Donner Version' to be produced and released for the 25th Anniversary ini 2005, but Warners are faced with a legal mess to resolve. Firstly, this is no 'Directors Cut' with footage being added in, a lot has to be taken OUT. The there is the issue of the Brando Estate and what claim they have on the 'new' footage.

With the sad passing of Christopher Reeve it seems an idea opportunity to see something of him we never saw. However, any bets on the studio now rush releasing a bog standard set to 'commemorate' Reeves life?