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Steven Spielberg is the greatest filmmaker of this generation who has directed numerous moviesJaws, Schindler’s List, Minority Reportand so many more. Hence, he has a lot of influence in the industry. Spielberg has contributed to some of the most magical and jaw-dropping scenes in the history of filmmaking that have left the viewers of the film in his awe, making them a fan of his vision. TheHookdirector has not only directed smash-hit films but also inspired and urged actors to work in films that turned out to be a blockbuster.
Steven Spielberg does not boast himself to be the best, but he has results that will put other filmmakers to shame with 22 Oscar nominations and several records at the box office. These days people would have blind faith in the director but back in the 70s, he did not have this image. But Ilya Salkind had seen his potential and recommended him to direct theSupermanfilms from the late 70s, which he later rejected to do.
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Steven Spielberg Was Close To DirectingSuperman
During an exclusive interview, Ilya Salkind explained how they were looking for a film to make and they hired the writer ofThe GodfatherMario Puzo so that he can write the screenplay ofSuperman. But the writer scribed a 500-plus page script, which could not be done in a single film. He instigated the fact that his script became the very foundation ofSuperman IandSuperman II.
“When I said let’s make a film, let’s make a serious film. I never said let’s make a camp film. We had absolutely decided to make two films because [Puzo’s] story was a saga.”
Salkind continued how a plethora of directors were interested in making the film with them but none of them fit their criteria, despite mentioning some of the biggest names back then.
“Everybody or I would say a lot of them [directors at the time] were very interested. Peter Yates, Sam Peckinpah…. My God, we met a lot of guys, very interesting people. We went to [William] Friedkin, we went to [Francis Ford] Coppola, we went to everyone…. Yates really wanted to do it.”
He continued that he had heard aboutSteven Spielbergwho was relatively new in the film industry, and his agent kept calling him.
“Spielberg was really in the beginning. He absolutely wanted to make the film.”
The film producer continued that Spielberg was working onJawsduring that time and was totally unknown in the industry. But his representative kept calling him repeatedly in Paris.
“‘We have this kid who wants to direct ‘Superman’, he loves Superman, that’s his kind of stuff and he wants to do it.’ Of course I immediately checked what he had done and went to see his films and immediately said ‘OK, this kid’s got it – this guy’s got talent.’ And I went to my father and I said ‘Look this is the guy’.”
While Ilya Salkind was convinced that Steven Spielberg is the one they were looking for in their film. However, his father, Alexander Salkind had other thoughts because he had heard how the young director was over-budget forJaws.
Also Read:“It’s blood money, I did not take a single dollar”: Steven Spielberg Refused to Take Any Money From the Profits Of His Movie That Won 7 Oscars
Steven Spielberg RejectsSupermanAfterJaw’sSuccess
In the same interview,The Three Musketeersproducer was convinced thatJawswill be a hit regardless. Pierre Spengler also supported the youngJurassic Parkdirector. Finally, Alexander Isak was convinced concluding“‘let’s wait until the big fish opens.'”
Needless to say,Jawswas a massive hit at the box office earning $482.9 million with additional sales of $19 million in DVD sales. Finally, when Alexander Salkind was convinced of Spielberg’s talent but his representatives stated that the window of opportunity was closed.
“I called [Spielberg’s] agent and the agent said… [he wanted] to do Superman singing and dancing, which was really a very polite way of saying [no]. And I understood it immediately.”
Ultimately the Salkinds managed to find their ideal director in Richard Donner. But, the question remains what would have happened if Spielberg had directed the 1978 and 1980 films?
Also Read:“I came to my senses”: Before Will Smith, Another Oscar Winner Nearly Rejected Steven Spielberg for His $476M Movie
Source:Superman Homepage
Tushar Auddy
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1784
Tushar Auddy is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, primarily covering WWE. He has contributed to anime, MCU, DCU, animation, and TV Series, giving sharp insights and coming up with his own unique theories, which take the fandom by storm.
