10 Exact Moments Directors Knew They Wouldn't Make Movie Sequels

Richard Donner's 1977 Superman film can be credited as the first successful adaption of a comic book superhero on the big screen.

Originally contracted to direct the sequel as well, Donner had already shot up to 75% of the scenes by the time the first Superman film hit the cinemas. In the end, it was his failing relationship with the film's executive producers, Alexander and Ilya Salkind, and producer Pierre Spengler, that became his undoing. There had been disagreements over the increasing budget of the film, and Donner had stated that he no wanted to work with Spengler, once filming was to resume. With this in mind, the Salkinds sent him a telegraph to say that they would no longer be requiring his services.

The duties were offered to Richard Lister instead, who had been working as an adviser to Donner on the film. A few actors, such as Gene Hackman, refused to do any re-shoots, but Lister ended up re-filming large parts of the film in order to get a director credit.

In 2006 Donner would eventually get to release his version of the film, providing an alternative take on the original sequel.