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Warner: Four Classic Superman Films Coming Soon to 4K Blu-ray
Posted February 20, 2023 06:38 PM by
Warner Bros. UK will release on 4K Blu-ray four classic Superman films: Superman: The Movie (1978), Superman II & The Richard Donner Cut (1979-2006), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). The Four releases are scheduled to arrive on the market on April 17.
In addition to the individual releases, the studio will have available for purchase this limited edition five-film collection, which will street on the same date.
Studio description: A box-office smash, an Academy Award-winner and a fan favourite since it first flew into theaters, Superman: The Movie assembles a cast and creative contingent as only a big movie can. As its heart (and for three sequels) is Christopher Reeve's intelligent, affectionate portrayal of a most human Man of Steel. Reeve, Marlon Brando (Jor-El), Gene Hackman (Lex Luthor) and Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) give performances that fuel the film's aura of legend. Watching Superman isn't just like being a kid again. It's better. Includes theatrical version on both 4K Blu-ray and remastered Blu-ray.
Studio description: Theatrical cut. Unwittingly released from Phantom Zone imprisonment, three superpowered Planet Krypton criminals (Terence Stamp, Sarah Douglas and Jack O'Halloran) plan to enslave Earth – just when Superman (Christopher Reeve) decides to show a more romantic side to Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Gene Hackman also returns as Lex Luthor in this sequel that features a top supporting cast, witty Richard Lester direction, and visuals that astound and delight.
The Richard Donner Cut. Director Richard Donner began shooting Superman II while concurrently filming Superman: The Movie, though the theatrical version of the film was ultimately directed by Richard Lester. In 2006, Donner's original unique vision was released for the first time. Jor-El (Marlon Brando in footage cut from the theatrical version) appears in key scenes that amplify Superman lore and deepen the relationship between father and son. Lois Lane plots more schemes to unmask Clark Kent as Superman. With so many changes, large and small, including a different beginning and resolution, this version is an eye-opening alternate experience.
Studio description: Meet Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor), a naive computer-programming natural. For him a keyboard is a weapon – and, as a result, Superman faces the microelectronic menace of his life. Christopher Reeve reprises his signature role, deepening his character's human side as Clark Kent sees Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) at a Smallville High class reunion. And when the Man of Steel becomes his own worst enemy after exposure to Kryptonite, Reeve pulls off both roles with dazzling skill. Relive Superman III with all its heart, heroism and high-flying humor.
Studio description: Christopher Reeve not only dons the title hero's cape for the fourth time but also helped develop the movie's provocative theme: nuclear disarmament. To make the world safe for nuclear arms merchants, Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) creates a new being to challenge the Man of Steel: the radiation-charged Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two foes clash in an explosive extravaganza that sees Superman save the Statue of Liberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.
Aside from the boxed-set, if you are buying a copy of a movie in its optimal presentation, would it kill them to have it accompanied by the poster original poster art?
They could've put the extended and special edition BD included in the first steelbook. That 5th steelbook is ridiculous if no bonus disc is included (something like Remastered Fletcher cartoons)
Definitely II for the Donner cut. Wonder if the first movie will need an upgrade? The current 4K is really good, exceeded my expectations.
Other than the airplane scene never liked the Returns movie. Spacey was wasted and Bosworth was a square peg from the day she was announced for the role. So I don’t care it’s not included in the dump. Would love to see the original cartoons restored someday.
supermilking supercashcow . already have us 4k and only for the theatrical six-track Dolby Stereo that is total wow !
already got superman 3 on laserdisc and that was wow in Dolby Stereo 4.2.4 THX sound system . i can't trust 4k
superman 4k has a fake grain over the image and some tech video issues maybe due to fake digital grain . look at scene of helicopter landing on daily planet , look at the shack and around the image some bad gamma or maybe fake grain effect messing the image up . is warner bros blind to seeing this ? who are they employing really needs to be fired !
studios make botches so they can milking over and over again . if a perfect 1 to 1 for picture sound with theatrical mixes done there be no need to milking it for another 10 or 20 years depending on how long the blu or 4 what ever k format sticks around ? does everyone get my meaning ?
movies have played at cinemas made its investment back or with VHS rental sales decades ago .
sick and tried of cash cow milking these movies over and over again .
Hey bludarkkight, no one cares. Most of the people on this site do nothing but complain about not getting this or it’s not enough for them, including you! According to what I read on these posts are just hysterical. I love a good laugh though! Everyone’s an expert on this site. Do you honestly think that Warner Bros. cares about your opinion, they don’t. Just don’t buy this, but I can bet more likely that you’ll buy it.
Just wish the Extended Superman was included with this in 4K !
More than happy the Donner Cut of 2 is getting a 4K , wish they would get a top notch Digital FX team could be brought in to make the cut even more refined like he would have liked to have done it .
I never liked 4 , only way I would watch it is if they could find all the film that was cut and re-edit it .
Don't hate Superman Returns but would like to have the 4K remastered with the original opening seen added .
Just my opinion man .
Superman III and IV are not good, but I consider Superman Returns to be an abomination. I'm grateful they're not including it in the Steelbook set. It already tarnished the deluxe DVD and Blu-ray sets, and I'm glad it's not doing so for the 4K set.
The Donner cut is a mess and Superman 4 is hands down the worst superhero movie ever made. Instead, they should have added the special editions and included some new bonus features.
Sadly, it looks like Returns is being omitted from the US release coming the same month too. Probably all identical discs by the looks of it. Just different packaging and the inclusion of digital codes, likely at 2-3x the price of the UK release.
1. The ideal cut for Superman 1 would finally include all the cuts in one box. There's the theatrical cut, the 1979 home video cut (which could honestly be added in through seamless branching, since there's only one difference), the extended cut, the Special Edition, and the revised theatrical cut (which has a lot of cleaning up but no other edits). While the fact that it's not happening here is disappointing, it's not a deal-breaker.
2 and 3. Both of these appear to be done perfectly, and unless the TV cut of 2 shows up (yes, there's an extended cut of that one too), I don't see how it could get any better.
4. The only reason I'm not going to skin Superman 4 alive here is because I know there's a rough cut, the rough cut is at least significantly better than the theatrical cut, and what was released in theaters is a half-assed version of the movie. It's like Deadly Friend, what's here is horrible, but you know it was something better originally so you don't utterly hate it. That being said, I'll decide whether Superman 4 is truly worthy of being loved when/if the original cut comes out, which this is a great time to do by the way. Even if it's a crappy workprint VHS, it's better than watching the theatrical cut in 4K.
As for Superman Returns, I haven't seen it, and was putting it off based on the horror stories I heard about the old Blu-ray. That will inevitably come to 4K, even if the cast and crew are persona non grata in Hollywood. Superman is still Superman.
As for what's in that fifth Steelie, that one has me beat. Special features perhaps? There's five 4Ks and five Blu-rays in this set, so what could that one possibly be?
@bludarkknight no idea what you're talking about.. no one had "fake digital grain" movies back in the 80s dude, are you 12? Do you have any concept as to what the first few digital cinema films were (think very late 90s). Fake digital grain overlay as an effect wasn't even a thing until the early to mid 2000s, also.
The first cg-effects movie weren't even until the very very late 1980s and even then it was 1-2 of them at most in the entire world (think: Industrial Light and Magic).
I have no idea what's going on in that lil' noggin up there chum but please don't let it confuse the facts for ya hombre
I'm guessing the lack of "Superman Returns" has to deal with a certain elephant in the room that rhymes with "Ryan Clinger" similar to why the R. Kelly music video was removed from the "Batman & Robin" 4K.
That they didn't include all previous released cuts of "Superman: The Movie" is a bummer. I don't know if they're cheap, misinformed, or both?
Judging by the screencaps the blu-ray of the "extended version" of "Superman: The Movie" actually looks better than the previously released 4K (which I assume will be the same transfer used for this set), which is odd to say the least.
@Cheese, the extended stuff they found of the first movie was from an interpositive. They scanned it in 2k. Not sure if a 4k image would look as good as the original negative.
4k’s are region free. You might have to select your local language. I still enjoy my German release of Princess Bride. Regular Blu’s not so much….but if you watch the boards and review sites sometimes even they are region free.
Agghhh why the F is Superman Returns not being released too? It’s in direct continuity with the Reeve films and it has gorgeous cinematography which would look stunning in 4K/HDR. It should be part of these releases.
Obviously Superman II is the "masterpiece" here, but Superman III is underrated. People don't seem to understand that it's intentionally a goofy comedy. Nothing wrong with that.
@ BerryTheMusicMan what original opening scene was there for Superman Returns? I never knew about this?!
Not directed towards anyone in particular, but why do people feel the need to add a "1" to the first film of a series? I'm pretty sure it's just "Superman: The Movie" (or similar). There is no number; that only came with the second film.
@imnotluka
He went to see if there are any survivors on Krypton and that's the reason he has been away from earth so long
and it was written to be in the original Donner's movies .
@Wtdk Depends on which Williams they were getting. If it was "One Hour Photo" Williams, he'd have made an amazing Riddler. If it was "Mork & Mindy" Williams... he'd still work, but in a way that Tommy Lee Jones would never question the sanctioned buffoonery of.
@phlyle11 Damn it, I forgot all about him. So much controversy around one well made Superman sequel.
@spaceball-one Due to Warner Bros. World release dates for "Superman II", 1980 was the release date outside the US! Being from the USA--I didn't get to see it until Summer 1981! (the following from WIKI):
The film premiered in Australia on Thursday, December 4, 1980, and opened at the weekend in South Africa, followed by France on December 10 with Christmastime releases in Italy and Spain. The film opened in the United Kingdom and West Germany in Easter 1981. On June 1, 1981, the film premiered at the National Theater in New York City, and received its general release in 1,354 theaters in the United States and Canada on June 19—six months after its release in other parts of the World!
I only want a 4k release for Superman II theatrical version which is the version i saw when the movie was released in theaters way back in 1981. I already own Superman on 4k and all others already on Blu-ray 2011 Anthology set with no need for those in 4k. Surely warner will releases these state side as sperate 4k releases.
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