Superman I-IV Collection (1978-1987) (4K UHD/Blu-ray Steelbooks)

Warner Bros. is set to release a 10 disc Superman I-IV – 4K Ultra HD Steelbook Collection collecting together all five theatrical cuts of the Christopher Reeve Superman films (including both versions of “Superman II”).

Superman I-IV Collection (1978-1987) (4K UHD/Blu-ray Steelbooks)

Superman: The Movie
At the heart of this Academy Award®-winning*, fan-favorite box-office smash (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.

Superman II: 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.

Superman II: 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.

Superman III
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.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
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 ofLiberty, plug the volcanic eruption of Mount Etna and rebuild the demolished Great Wall of China.

The five steelbooks in the collection include:

Superman: The Movie (Steelbook 1)
Steelbook Finishes
Full Gloss
On Disc Special Features:

  • Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
  • Taking Flight: The Development of Superman
  • Making Superman: Filming the Legend
  • Superman Screen Test
  • Music-Only Audio Track
  • Theatrical Trailers & TV Spot

Superman II: Theatrical Cut & Donner Cut (Steelbook 2)
Steelbook Finishes
Spot Gloss on Title Treatment and Superman (front)
Spot Gloss on Title Treatment and Superman logo (reverse)
Theatrical Cut – On Disc Special Features:

  • Introduction by Director Richard Donner
  • Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz
  • Superman II: Restoring the Vision Featurette
  • Deleted Scenes

Donner Cut – On Disc Special Features:

  • Commentary by Director Richard Donner and Creative Consultant Tom Mankiewicz
  • Introduction by Richard Donner
  • Featurette Superman II: Restoring the Vision
  • Additional Scenes
  • 8 1940s Famous Studios Superman Cartoons: Japoteurs, Showdown, Eleventh Hour, Destruction, Inc., The Mummy Strikes, Jungle Drums, The Underground World and Secret Agent

Superman III (Steelbook 3)
Steelbook Finishes
Full Gloss
On Disc Special Features:

  • Commentary by Ilya Salkind and Pierre Spengler
  • The Making of Superman III [1983 TV special]
  • Additional Scenes
  • Theatrical Trailer

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (Steelbook 4)
Steelbook Finishes
Full Gloss
On Disc Special Features:

  • Commentary by Co-Screenwriter Mark Rosenthal
  • Additional Scenes
  • Theatrical Trailer

Premium Extras (Steelbook 5):

  • Superman ’78 #1 Collectible Comic Book
  • Certificate of Authenticity
  • Photo Book
  • 3D ‘Phantom Zone’ Lenticular

Pre-orders are expected to begin at Zavvi.com on Monday, February 20, with the collection scheduled to arrive April 17, 2023. It appears as though fans will be able to purchase each Steelbook collection separately as well as together.

UPDATE: The collection is also now available to pre-order via Amazon.co.uk.

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soma09
soma09
February 16, 2023 5:08 pm

Pumped for this!

I’m going to assume this was a typo by Zavvi and the theatrical cut of II doesn’t actually include an Introduction by Director Richard Donner and Commentary by Richard Donner and Tom Mankiewicz. Probably has the same commentary by Pierre Spengler and Ilya Salkind that was on previous releases.

afriend
afriend
February 17, 2023 1:42 am

The “Extended Version” of Superman the Movie (the 1982 three-hour TV cut) sold out of the first printing and met with generally warm responses from fans. Why not go ahead and release the extended versions of Superman II and III? Even if only through the Warner Archive?