Exclusive Euro Photostory Part IX...

Behind The (Deleted) Scenes - Lacy's Rescue...

A rare collection of set-taken prints from the production of Superman IV: The Quest For Peace. Presumably shot at Elstree Studios in 1986, this excised scene is the rescue of Lacy Warfield (Stunt woman unknown) from the clutches of Nuclearman by Christopher Reeve's double Mark Stewart (also seen in action briefly here). This footage was released for the first time in the Superman IV: Deluxe Edition DVD. From my collection...

Mattel Movie Masters Series - Zod...

When Mattel announced last year they would be producing a series of 1/6 figures based on the Superman franchise it was a shock to fans both why it had taken so long for somebody to aquire the licence and how that company came to be Mattel over DC Direct.
With the unveiling of the revised Superman figure at this year's Con there is renewed enthusiasm for the line, especially as a Gene Hackman Lex Luthor has now also been confirmed.
This first release of Terence Stamp as General Zod is one of the first pieces of genuine Superman Movie memorabilia in decades and was worth the wait. While some fans bemoaned the maroon flash on Zod's costume, it is nonetheless screen-accurate while the figure's packaging is beautiful and easily on-par with the figure itself. The accessories are also first class and accomodate numerous methods of display and scene re-enactment.
With their pure sculpts and simple painting, these figures may not compete with the likes of Hot Toys products, (and for $60 neither should they) they are instead best regarded as the Mego figure line we should have had in the 70's and never got. From my collection.

Coming Soon From Cannon...?

Though audience and critical response to Superman IV: The Quest For Peace had been derisory, Cannon films forged ahead regardless by announcing a fifth picture only three months after its failure with an apparent plan to use culled footage from the subplot of IV as the basis for a new feature. (See the deleted scenes here)
This incredibly rare promo from the pages of Daily Variety confirms the film was in 'Pre-Production' with rumours director Albert Pyun was attached (and presumably Christopher Reeve with whatever conditions he demanded just to get him back in the role) but like a glut of other announced projects, (among them Masters of The Universe Part II, part one ironically responsible for Superman IV's cut budget) the film went unrealised due to Cannon's collapse, wherupon the rights reverted back to the Salkinds who would proceed with their own doomed attempt to bring the Man Of Steel back to the big screen...
My sincere thanks go to SuperFan William S. Wilson (see his amazing Movie blog here) for securing an original copy of the promo (scanned above restored to its original state) and adding this grail item to my collection after a long and exhaustive search...

The New Movie...?

Another clipping from a French publication in the early nineties hinting at Reeve's involvement with what the 'Superman Reborn' script apparently evolved into - Superman - The New Movie.

"He is perhaps going to be sent into the air for a 5th time. He is being sought to play in Superman: The New Movie"

Thanks to SuperFan Mark for the translation!

Never Say Never Again...?

Culled from the pages of US Comics Scene Special 50th Issue - This interview takes place when Reeve is 42, making it 1995, the year of his tragic accident and one year after the Dixie Trek Convention (see CapedWonder's excellent page including video here) where he states he "would have been the first one to sign up" had the production gone ahead only a few years earlier...