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'Superman', 'Goonies' Director Richard Donner Has Died Aged 91

Imogen Donovan

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'Superman', 'Goonies' Director Richard Donner Has Died Aged 91

Featured Image Credit: Alan Light via Flickr, Warner Bros

Richard Donner, the director of The Omen, Superman: The Movie and The Goonies, passed away on July 5th.

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The news of his death was announced by his wife, producer Lauren Shuler Donner. He originally wanted to be an actor, however, the encouragement of film and theatre director Martin Ritt changed his course. Working as an employee of Desilu, Donner directed a number of advertisements until he got the chance to transition to television. It was then that his career took off, and among his credits on classic shows are Wanted Dead or Alive, The Rifleman, Have Gun - Will Travel, The Fugitive, Combat!, Get Smart, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Wild Wild West, Gilligan's Island, Kojak, Tales from the Crypt and The Twilight Zone.

Donner directed the aviation drama film X-15 in 1961, the comedy Salt and Pepper in 1968 and The Omen in 1976. It was the latter of these projects that opened countless doors for Donner, thanks to its star-studded cast and "taut" and terrifying direction. Following this, Donner moved onto Superman: The Movie, and the impact of this film is arguably the director's most important contribution to the medium. In interpreting the comic book hero as a serious individual capable of vulnerability and relatability, Superman: The Movie laid the foundations for films like Tim Burton's Batman, Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins and Zack Snyder's Man Of Steel.

'Superman: The Movie' / Credit: Warner Bros
'Superman: The Movie' / Credit: Warner Bros
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Stunningly enough, Donner wasn't so fond of films that had taken a leaf from his book. "There are so many people that make superheroes so cynical, it's depressing," he said in an interview with The Telegraph. When they're dark and bleak and angry with themselves and the world, I don't find it entertaining. I think there's enough reality going on for that. We just got over four years of that [referring to Donald Trump's presidency]. I think we crave the opposite."

"Dick had such a powerful command of his movies, and was so gifted across so many genres," said Steven Spielberg in a statement (thanks to Deadline). The two collaborated on The Goonies, as the script drew from a fictional story from Spielberg. "Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favorite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and - of course - the greatest Goonie of all. He was all kid. All heart. All the time. I can't believe he's gone, but his husky, hearty, laugh will stay with me always."

Topics: Movies, News, DC

Imogen Donovan
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