Challenge: Superman film sequels Good

Superman as a film series started to fall off around II. Richard Donner was removed, and Dick Lester was put behind the camera to finish shooting. Dick Lester was much more a comedic director (the man directed the Beatles first two films), and as he continued directing on Superman III and IV, inserted comedic elements that were definitely not needed and undercut the films. Superman III and Superman IV were also not well reviewed.

So what if the downfall of the film series did not occur and, even if not highly critically praised, III and IV were not savaged by critics, and how can that be made to happen? The element of Reeve not being injured and thus being able to participate in an ATL continued series is also there as well.
 
The easiest POD for good or more successful Superman sequels would be that Richard Donner isn't fired while filming Superman II.

For whatever reason, he and the Salkinds are able to work out their problems and he completes the second movie. It comes out, is a big hit as IOTL and plans are announced for a new sequel.

Around the time that Superman II came out, Richard Pryor expressed his enjoyment of the film leading for a part to be written for him. Perhaps if Donner is given the directing chore he either refuses to use Pryor or influences a different storyline.

Donner might be given the directing job for Superman III instead of Lester (he didn't direct Superman IV). The film would be better received with Donner behind the helm and/or with a different storyline. One thing that could've been done is emphasize the dark Superman plot and the battle that the two halves have with each other. Or use parts of the Superman IV story where Luthor creates a clone Superman only this time with better effects and directing, the film is successful.

The question would remain when Donner would begin fueding with the Salkinds. Would it be before Superman III (but after II was finished)? During III and he would be replaced by Lester? Or even if there wasn't any fighting would Donner want to return to III or IV?
 
I agree that Donner finishing Superman Two is a Start.

I read the original Superman Three story outline
http://meatfighter.com/superman3/part4/s3_original_idea.pdf

and while it not perfect, the idea of having Brainiac in the film is very interesting and Using Supergirl again Superman has great potential.

I just don't understand the need for Movie makers to decide to put two villains in a superhero movie.

Also Richard Lester had done better jobs as a Director, especially when it came to balancing the Comedy and the Action. Look at Juggernaut. But he starts to lose it when he directed the Superman films.

I re-watch Superman Three with my 5 year son this summer and I thought that the movie as is would have been better if Richard Pryor Character finds a message from space while he using the Satellite and realizes that it a design for a Computer. He get Robert Vaughn character to build it and it turn out to be Brainiac. That would have been a better movie. Then if we could cut out some of the Unnecessary humor, IE Pryor skiing off a Building and some of the sillyness with Brad. It could have been a watchable movie.
 
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