{"id":36449,"date":"2021-07-06T12:10:29","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T08:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alowais.com\/?p=36449"},"modified":"2021-07-06T12:11:58","modified_gmt":"2021-07-06T08:11:58","slug":"richard-donner-dies-at-91-tributes-pour-in-for-lethal-weapon-and-superman-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alowais.com\/en\/richard-donner-dies-at-91-tributes-pour-in-for-lethal-weapon-and-superman-director\/","title":{"rendered":"Richard Donner dies at 91: tributes pour in for ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Superman’ director"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filmmaker Richard Donner, who helped create the modern superhero blockbuster with 1978\u2019s\u00a0Superman\u00a0<\/i>and mastered the buddy comedy with the\u00a0Lethal Weapon<\/i>\u00a0franchise, has died aged 91.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donner died on Monday in Los Angeles, his family announced via a spokesperson.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donner gained fame with his first feature, 1976\u2019s\u00a0The Omen<\/i>, which led to a then-unheard-of offer to direct 1978\u2019s\u00a0Superman\u00a0<\/i>for $1 million. Donner channelled 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the title role, Donner cast Christopher Reeve, who was associated with\u00a0Superman<\/i>\u00a0for the rest of his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

By the 21st century, the genre was dominating the box office in the US and thriving overseas. The heads of Marvel Studios and DC Entertainment \u2013 producers of most of today\u2019s superhero fare \u2013 both worked for Donner when they were starting out in Hollywood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donner also directed 1980s cult classic,\u00a0The Goonies<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Steven Spielberg, who produced\u00a0The Goonies<\/i>, paid tribute to Donner saying: \u201cDick had such a powerful command of his movies and was so gifted across so many genres. Being in his circle was akin to hanging out with your favourite coach, smartest professor, fiercest motivator, most endearing friend, staunchest ally, and \u2013 of course \u2013 the greatest Goonie of all.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He was all kid. All heart. All the time. I can\u2019t believe he\u2019s gone, but his husky, hearty laugh will stay with me always.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tributes also poured in on Twitter on Monday, including from\u00a0The Goonies<\/i>\u00a0star Sean Astin.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cRichard Donner had the biggest, boomiest voice you could imagine,\u201d Astin wrote. \u201cHe commanded attention and he laughed like no man has ever laughed before. Dick was so much fun. What I perceived in him, as a 12-year-old kid, is that he cared. I love how much he cared.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Director Kevin Smith also tweeted. \u201cRichard Donner made the devil a child in\u00a0The Omen<\/i>, invented the modern-day comic-book movie with\u00a0Superman<\/i>, and reinvented the buddy cop movie with\u00a0Lethal Weapon<\/i>. I got to meet with him last year about a project. Guy was a natural born storyteller. Thanks for all the flicks, Dick!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Filmmaker Edgar Wright said: \u201cRichard Donner\u2019s big heart and effervescent charm shone in his movies through the remarkable performances of his cast, which is no mean feat. You remember all the characters in\u00a0Superman, Lethal Weapon, The Goonies<\/i>\u00a0and more, because Donner knew how to capture that magic onscreen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Wright said he only met Donner once, but \u201che was funny, charming and so full of stories (and happy to indulge my geeky questions)”.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donner followed\u00a0Superman<\/i>\u00a0with an indie,\u00a0Inside Moves<\/i>, in 1980, and\u00a0The Toy<\/i>\u00a0with Richard Pryor in 1982. As well as\u00a0The Goonies<\/i>\u00a0in 1985, he made the\u00a0Ladyhawke<\/i>, which would introduce him to his future wife, Lauren Shuler Donner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two married the following year. In 1993, they founded The Donners Company, which has produced hits such as\u00a0Deadpool<\/i>,\u00a0The Wolverine<\/i>\u00a0and the\u00a0X-Men<\/i>\u00a0franchise. Adjusted for inflation, his films have generated more than $1 billion in box-office receipts, reported the Associated Press.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you look at Dick\u2019s movies, Dick is fun, larger than life, loud, strong, with a big mushy heart,\u201d Lauren said at a tribute by the Academy Awards to the director in 2017. \u201cHis confidence, his fearlessness, his humour are what make people adore him and has wrapped around me like a protective cloak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe combination of learning moviemaking from Richard Donner and falling in love with him has made me personally and professionally a better producer and a happier, loving person,\u201d she said, calling\u00a0Ladyhawke<\/i>\u00a0their \u201cpersonal love story\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the hawk and he\u2019s the wolf,\u201d Lauren said.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1987, Donner cast Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as a mismatched police pair in the buddy-cop action film\u00a0Lethal Weapon<\/i>. The film was a smash hit, spawning several sequels and a TV show.<\/span><\/p>\n

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