The preparation of Richard Donner’s “Superman” greatly impacted the film “The Bounty”, which was to be divided into two parts and with a much larger budget.
The Arte channel is broadcasting Le Bounty this evening, with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins, an adventure film inspired by the novel Captain Bligh and Mr Christian: the men and the mutiny by Richard Hough. Or how the tyranny of a captain will lead to the crew’s revolt. A story obviously inspired by Rebels on the Bounty, adapted many times for the screen.
Superman almost sank the project
Originally, David Lean planned with his screenwriter Robert Bolt two epic feature films shot at once and released one year apart. The two films were to be titled The Lawbreakers (about the voyage and the mutiny) and The Long Arm (following the mutineers hunted by the Admiralty), each expected to cost $25 million at the time, or approximately $129.5 million. adjusted for inflation.
Dino De Laurentiis Corporation Anthony Hopkins
Except that at the time, the Warner Bros studio, which planned to finance and release the film, was losing a lot of money because of Richard Donner’s Superman feature film. As a result, the time has come for budgetary restrictions and David Lean is asked to look elsewhere.
This is also what he does, by turning to the Italian producer – although known for his fraud – Dino de Laurentiis. The film boat is built, but the difficulties multiply: two films are too expensive, De Laurentiis tries to convince Lean to make only one film, but the discussions lead to an impasse. Lean leaves the project, and the producer searches for a new director.
Dino De Laurentiis Corporation
Mel Gibson
He found it with the Australian Roger Donaldson, who had never shot a film of this magnitude. Seeing a unique opportunity, Donaldson accepted and The Bounty remained a single film.
Superman also helped a low budget film a lot
The Superman film had also been postponed. It was due to be released in the summer of 1978, but fell too late and it was decided to release it at Christmas. This helped a small sci-fi film at the box office, which clawed back the date (and summer marketing budget) of the blockbuster, allowing it to enjoy success it never could have had otherwise.
Or how the complicated life of a blockbuster can spill over from other films, and a little anecdote, become part of the great history of a studio.