Perhaps the most outspoken supporter of Richard Donner's version of Superman II was Margot Kidder. The Lois Lane actress resented Donner's replacement by Richard Lester and used any retrospective interview as a chance to remind fans that Richard Donner had shot a superior version of the film.
Interview: Margot Kidder on Superman II Donner Cut
"It was very disappointing to have to redo scenes that we knew were wonderful and to redo them simply because the Salkinds didn't want to pay Donner," she said. "It was kind of disgusting, and then they redid them cheap and fast as opposed to putting the care and love into them that Donner put into them. So we were disappointed and I was rather mouthy about it and got cut out of Superman III. I had 12 lines and one of them was, 'Oh, Clark.'"
Now that Warner Brothers is finally releasing The Richard Donner Cut on DVD, fans can finally see Kidder's better work. "It was a long time ago. More than a quarter of a century ago so I hope it's my better work. It's certainly better direction. The directorial styles were completely different. I think Richard Lester's a wonderful director but I didn't think he was right for this because he was a little too clever and wanted to almost let the audience know that he was in on a joke or that he was a little too hip to be doing Superman."
Many of the scenes restored in this version feature Lois and Clark's evolving relationship. "I'm looking forward to seeing the first scene were I try and prove that I know Clark is Superman."
Since much of the fans' interest in reviving Donner vision came from Kidder's words, she takes great satisfaction in seeing the alternate cut come together. "It's thrilling. I never missed a chance to whip up the fans into righteous indignation, so I loved it. I'd say, 'You write Warner Brothers and make sure they release it.' So it's good. I'm delighted, I'm thrilled."
That kind of makes Kidder a power player in Hollywood. "I wouldn't call myself that. I'm a grandmother in a little town in Montana right now. I just think it's fun. It's really fun."
Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut is now available.
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