New York: Iconic director Richard Donner, the maker of the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978’s Superman and mastered the buddy comedy with the Lethal Weapon franchise, has died. He was 91.
Reportedly, Donner gained fame with his first feature, 1976’s The Omen. A then-unheard-of offer followed: $1 million to direct 1978’s Superman. Donner channeled his love of the character into making the film, repeatedly facing off with producers over the need for special effects that would convince the audience that a superhero could really fly. In the title role, Donner cast Christopher Reeve, who was associated with Superman for the rest of his life.
Early in his career, Donner had aspired to be an actor but found his calling in direction. His early work included directing episodes of television shows such as The Rifleman”, “The Twilight Zone”, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”, “Gilligan’s Island”, and “Perry Mason”.
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