Anais Gutierrez
Richard Donner was commemorated by the ‘Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.’ In a heartfelt ceremony in Beverly Hills, family and friends gathered to share kind words with the director on Wednesday night.
Donner may have created the modern superhero movie with 1978’s Superman and revitalized the buddy comedy with Lethal Weapon. But his colleagues say his big-hearted kindness is what truly sets him apart.
The tribute took place at the ‘Samuel Goldwyn Theater’ and consisted of a two-hour program that mixed anecdotes with tributes and clips from his movies. The feature films included 1978’s Superman: The Movie, along with The Ome. The 80’s classic Lethal Weapon, Radio Flyer, The Goonies, Scrooged, Ladyhawke, Inside Moves, and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut.
A heartfelt tribute to Richard Donner
The Goonies’ actors shared kind actions the director made for them. Actor Corey Feldman said Donner paid for his rehab years after they worked together on The Goonies. While other star revealed Donner covered his college tuition.
The Lethal Weapon cast also addressed the longtime filmmaker. Actress Rene Russo said, “You were charming and funny and witty and all these amazing (things), but the thing that killed me is you were kind.” Then she added, “You were so kind, and that’s what makes you the sexiest man in the world.” Mel Gibson said of Donner, “There’s true humility about the man; he refers to himself as a traffic cop, but he’s a f—ing genius.”
The filmmaker’s wife and collaborator, Lauren Shuler Donner, also referred to him as “the sexiest man alive.” She said his personality shows in his movies, describing her husband as “fun, larger than life, loud, strong, with a big mushy heart.”
Video tributes came from Jodie Foster and Martha Plimpton, who introduced herself as “Plimpy.” She was among many actors who said Donner had changed her life. David Morse, Joseph Mazzello, Brian Helgeland, and Carol Kane also honored Donner.
Donner has never been nominated for an Academy Award. Though his film Superman received bids for editing, music, and sound, along with a special prize for visual effects.
“What I’ve gotten out of this industry is extraordinary,” Donner said, visibly moved. “But I just want to say the greatest thing I did get out of this industry was Lauren Shuler Donner… I can’t say in words how much you mean to me. Words weren’t written.”
The creator of modern superhero movies
Richard Donner’s Superman is believed to be the origin of modern superhero movies. The movie delivered not only a superhero but the archetype that superhero movies would follow later on.
Marvel Studios‘ president, Kevin Feige and DC Entertainment president Geoff Johns, both worked for Donner when they started in Hollywood. They’re now responsible for the last decade of superhero blockbusters.
The pair appeared in the tribute, showing a clip of Donner’s Superman. Showing Christopher Reeve as he rescues Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) from a helicopter fall. Feige called it “the best cinematic superhero save in the history of film.” Among other guests on Wednesday, were Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins, Who has said she was inspired by Donner’s Superman, for her recent film.
Lethal Weapon’s 30th anniversary
When it comes to action comedies, nothing beats the original Lethal Weapon. The film defined the buddy cop genre and launched a new wave of like-minded movies in its wake.The movie itself had three sequels and more recently a TV show adaptation. But nothing beats the first time Mel Gibson and Danny Glover went to work on a case in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, the pair, along with future co-star Rene Russo, invaded Good Morning America to celebrate the movie’s 30th Anniversary. The cast’s reunion marked the first time that Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, and Rene Russo share a screen since their final scenes for Lethal Weapon 4 way back in 1998.
That final sequel marked the end of an era, though it was never supposed to be the last movie in the franchise. Mel Gibson says that while they’ve been apart for nearly twenty years, it’s not because they ever had any disagreements, or didn’t love each other. “I think there was a lot of love between us. And when I see them, I just kind of get the same feeling…it’s like seeing a teenage sweetheart or something.”
The Lethal Weapon TV show hit the small screen last year when broadcasted by FOX. The show was developed by Matt Miller and casts Damon Wayans as Roger Murtaugh and Clayne Crawford as Martin Riggs.
The cast says no Lethal Weapon 5 is happening, ever. But Mel Gibson isn’t against the idea.
Source: Variety
