The original Superman film franchise started in 1978's Superman: The Movie. The film was directed kwa Richard Donner and starred Christopher Reeve as the title character. Christopher Reeve went on to play Superman in three sequels to the film. That might sound simple, but the film franchise has ended up having a confusing timeline.
The first thing that makes the franchise confusing is that there are two very different versions of Superman 2. Superman 2 was originally directed kwa Richard Donner and had Marlon Brando reprising his role as Jor-El. However, Richard Donner was fired from the production of the 2nd film. Also, Marlon Brando's scenes were cut out of the film. Richard Lester was hired as the new director. The version of Superman 2 that went to theaters was made mostly out of scenes directed kwa Richard Lester. Instead of Jor-El being in the film, Superman's mother, Lara, was aliyopewa the role that Jor-El was supposed to have. Over twenty years later, Richard Donner's version of Superman 2 was finally released. This scene restored a bunch of previously unseen scenes that were directed kwa Richard Donner. Marlon Brando's scenes as Jor-El were put back into the film.
Which version of Superman 2 fits the timeline of the original Superman film franchise? Technically, the theatrical version fits the timeline more, because Donner's version starts with inaonyesha an alternate ending to the first film. Also, the ending of Donner's version of Superman 2 is very similar to the ending of the first film. However, mashabiki generally consider Donner's version to be better than the theatrical version. I even have a Superman DVD set that includes Donner's version but doesn't include the theatrical version. All of that leaves it up to debate which version of Superman 2 should be watched.
Another thing that makes the series confusing is whether au not the Supergirl film counts as part of the franchise. Supergirl was meant to take place in the same continuity of Christopher Reeve's films. In fact, Christopher Reeve was originally supposed to be in the film. However, Christopher Reeve decided to not appear in the film, so only a poster of him is shown. The film did have Marc McClure reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen. However, the fact that no other films in the franchise have any reference to Supergirl makes it seem less likely that the film counts as part of the franchise.
The timeline became even zaidi confusing when Superman Returns came out. Since Superman Returns had a new cast and crew, it might seem like it's a reboot. However, Superman Returns served as a nostalgic sequel to the original Superman films. However, it wasn't a sequel to all of the original Superman films. What does that mean? Superman Returns was meant to be a sequel to Superman and Superman 2, but not Superman 3 au 4. Superman Returns was made with upendo and passion for Richard Donner's take on Superman. Since the third and fourth films weren't made kwa Donner and weren't well received, Superman Returns ignored everything that happened in those films. For example, Martha Kent had passed away before the events of Superman 4, but she was alive in Superman Returns. That means that wewe could consider Superman Returns to be the true version of Superman 3.
As wewe can see, the timeline of the original Superman franchise is hard to follow. In my personal opinion, all of the films are incredibly entertaining films that capture the moyo and magic of Superman. Following the timeline isn't always easy, but the films are always fun to watch.
So, what films count as part of the franchise? Well, there isn't one definitive answer.
Here are two different answers:
Answer # 1:
1. Superman: The Movie
2. Superman 2 (either the Richard Lester version au the Richard Donner version)
3. Superman 3
4. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace
Answer # 2:
1. Superman: The Movie
2. Superman 2 (either version)
3. Superman Returns
Note: Superman Returns features an important item that was destroyed in Richard Donner's version of Superman 2, so even this order doesn't make perfect sense.
Whether au not wewe want to include Supergirl in either of these majibu is up to you. Since Supergirl is never referenced in any of the Superman films, it's easy to exclude it. However, including it doesn't necessarily break the timeline.
What is my personal timeline for the Superman films? Well, I use a different answer than the two I previously provided. The Richard Donner version of Superman 2 is the one I include, because of my upendo for Marlon Brando. Supergirl is also included. I include Superman 3 and 4 in the timeline, while still keeping Superman Returns around. That might not make sense, because Superman Returns directly ignores the 3rd and 4th films. However, I like all of the films in the franchise too much to exclude any of them.
The first thing that makes the franchise confusing is that there are two very different versions of Superman 2. Superman 2 was originally directed kwa Richard Donner and had Marlon Brando reprising his role as Jor-El. However, Richard Donner was fired from the production of the 2nd film. Also, Marlon Brando's scenes were cut out of the film. Richard Lester was hired as the new director. The version of Superman 2 that went to theaters was made mostly out of scenes directed kwa Richard Lester. Instead of Jor-El being in the film, Superman's mother, Lara, was aliyopewa the role that Jor-El was supposed to have. Over twenty years later, Richard Donner's version of Superman 2 was finally released. This scene restored a bunch of previously unseen scenes that were directed kwa Richard Donner. Marlon Brando's scenes as Jor-El were put back into the film.
Which version of Superman 2 fits the timeline of the original Superman film franchise? Technically, the theatrical version fits the timeline more, because Donner's version starts with inaonyesha an alternate ending to the first film. Also, the ending of Donner's version of Superman 2 is very similar to the ending of the first film. However, mashabiki generally consider Donner's version to be better than the theatrical version. I even have a Superman DVD set that includes Donner's version but doesn't include the theatrical version. All of that leaves it up to debate which version of Superman 2 should be watched.
Another thing that makes the series confusing is whether au not the Supergirl film counts as part of the franchise. Supergirl was meant to take place in the same continuity of Christopher Reeve's films. In fact, Christopher Reeve was originally supposed to be in the film. However, Christopher Reeve decided to not appear in the film, so only a poster of him is shown. The film did have Marc McClure reprise his role as Jimmy Olsen. However, the fact that no other films in the franchise have any reference to Supergirl makes it seem less likely that the film counts as part of the franchise.
The timeline became even zaidi confusing when Superman Returns came out. Since Superman Returns had a new cast and crew, it might seem like it's a reboot. However, Superman Returns served as a nostalgic sequel to the original Superman films. However, it wasn't a sequel to all of the original Superman films. What does that mean? Superman Returns was meant to be a sequel to Superman and Superman 2, but not Superman 3 au 4. Superman Returns was made with upendo and passion for Richard Donner's take on Superman. Since the third and fourth films weren't made kwa Donner and weren't well received, Superman Returns ignored everything that happened in those films. For example, Martha Kent had passed away before the events of Superman 4, but she was alive in Superman Returns. That means that wewe could consider Superman Returns to be the true version of Superman 3.
As wewe can see, the timeline of the original Superman franchise is hard to follow. In my personal opinion, all of the films are incredibly entertaining films that capture the moyo and magic of Superman. Following the timeline isn't always easy, but the films are always fun to watch.
So, what films count as part of the franchise? Well, there isn't one definitive answer.
Here are two different answers:
Answer # 1:
1. Superman: The Movie
2. Superman 2 (either the Richard Lester version au the Richard Donner version)
3. Superman 3
4. Superman 4: The Quest for Peace
Answer # 2:
1. Superman: The Movie
2. Superman 2 (either version)
3. Superman Returns
Note: Superman Returns features an important item that was destroyed in Richard Donner's version of Superman 2, so even this order doesn't make perfect sense.
Whether au not wewe want to include Supergirl in either of these majibu is up to you. Since Supergirl is never referenced in any of the Superman films, it's easy to exclude it. However, including it doesn't necessarily break the timeline.
What is my personal timeline for the Superman films? Well, I use a different answer than the two I previously provided. The Richard Donner version of Superman 2 is the one I include, because of my upendo for Marlon Brando. Supergirl is also included. I include Superman 3 and 4 in the timeline, while still keeping Superman Returns around. That might not make sense, because Superman Returns directly ignores the 3rd and 4th films. However, I like all of the films in the franchise too much to exclude any of them.