Originally posted by: Guy Caballero
When it comes to Superman2 , it's ALL about the ending. People will debate everything else in the Donner/Lester/Deleted/Extended material for years to come, but whoever can come up with a satisfying ending to that movie will be a genius.
When it comes to Superman2 , it's ALL about the ending. People will debate everything else in the Donner/Lester/Deleted/Extended material for years to come, but whoever can come up with a satisfying ending to that movie will be a genius.
Yes...a GENIUS! Muwahaha! We'll just see about that...
Anyway, over the weekend I had some time to sit down and put together a very rough "Ultimate Superman II" in Womble. The base source is The Richard Donner Cut (RDC), with various Lester bits throughout, and a couple of deletes scenes (which I know are not up the the quality of the rest of the film, but I really think they are necessary for the story). Before I post a scene-by-scene outline, there are a few key points that are in need of discussion:
"Freshly Squeezed" Orange Juice: This is a nice friendship scene between Lois & Clark, but there's really no place for it in the RDC-inspired Ultimate Cut, at least none that I can find. Unless anyone can think of a way to fit it in, all the references to "freshly squeezed" orange juice will have to be edtied out.
Clark's Secret Revealed: This ties into three scenes, the first Niagra exterior where Superman appears, the second where Lois jumps in the river, and the third where Lois discovers he is Superman. I think the RDC cut the first scene a bit short, but I'm not sure where to cut it off without the "No orange juice?" line to end it on. The second scene is a real head scratcher as it is extremely repetitive of the Daily Planet opening. It would take some serious editing to make it fit as a possible second attempt of Lois to prove Clark is Superman. Then there is the big reveal scene. Now I like the concept of the scene in the RDC, but let's face it: its screentest nature takes out out of the film. Clark's changing physical appearence I could live with, but the changing GLASSES? No way. And on top of that, there is no logical transition from the the end of the screentest to Superman & Lois flying to the Fortress. This leaves us with the infamous "Pink Bear" scene from the Lester cut. I actually think this is a good scene that really builds the romance and has some great acting. Of course the problem with using it is it references the "jumping in the river scene." It's all very complicated. What I currently have is a fade from the deleted Lex scene (mentioned below) to Lois' line "Clark, can you hand me that brush over there?" as I have excised the jumping in the river scene completely. Needless to say this sequence of events needs a lot of work. Ideas anyone?
Deleted Scene: Lex & Miss Tessmacher Go South. I put this scene after the Villains land at the lake/discover heat vision scene (which was split for the RDC, but I have put them back together). I think it's good in that Lex reasons out the arrival of the Supervillains and that Superman set them free with his missle. It also gives Miss Tessmacher another scene before dissapearing for the remainder of the film.
Superman Loses His Powers: Ideally this scene would transition from the end of the RDC to the end of the Lester cut, which once again builds the romance ("Just say that you love me.") and had them walking off to the bed. Editing around Lois' wardrobe changes and getting the lights back from red to white will be trickly and most likely beyond my capabilities. Ideas anyone?
Clark & Lois in Bed: I think it's important for this to occur after he gives up his powers. Otherwise why would he have to give up his powers...get it? I placed this in the middle of the villains storming the White House, just before they bust into the Oval Office. I think it's an effective place for this short moment.
Superman Regains His Powers: The sequence of events in Lester's version is far superior to the RDC. Fading from the Diner to the Fortress, cutting to the White House, then cutting to the Daily Planet. That's how I've sequenced things in this cut. Also, I think the Lester scene of Clark in the darkened Fortress is better than Donner's. If there was any way to use Lester's version up until Clark putting the crystal in the console, I'd want to do it that way, but I'm not sure if that's possible. Ideas anyone?
Daily Planet Confrontation: Lex's "Australia" to the Globe at the planet is a very effective cut, but intercutting the Donner and Lester footage here to make the scene flow is tricky. Honestly I just skipped over trying to work this out, but I'm sure if I examine the footage I can come up with something. Lester's return of Superman will definitely be used, as the build-up and pay-off is far superior to Donner's. ("Would you care to step outside?")
Deleted Scene: Artic Police. This gives some resolution to what happens to Lex and the villains, other than Supeman leaving them to die in the Fortress. Omitting "the Smallville Smasher" is thankfully an easy edit.
The End: In my verison, we'd cut from Superman flying away from Lois' apartment to Lester's scene of the next day at the Planet. "Freshly squeezed" orange juice will be edited out. I've also considered editing out "What's happening in the world?" (to infer the memory loss was only of Clark=Superman, which is how I interpret it), but that doesn't look like it'll work. Inserting the deleted scene of Clark at the elevators is a possibility, but it might seem too out of place, and it really isn't necessary. From the Planet it would be the Lester version through the end: Diner/White House/Flyover.
I've added a a bit more Lester here and there and resequenced a few things, but those are the major points I need some input on. So, again I ask, ideas anyone?