Richard Donner, Director Of 'Superman,' 'Lethal Weapon,' 'The Goonies,' And More, Dead At 91

Richard Donner, Director Of ‘Superman,’ ‘Lethal Weapon,’ ‘The Goonies,’ And More, Dead At 91

Richard Donner, prolific Hollywood director and producer, has died. He was 91.

Donner died Monday, according to his wife, producer Lauren Schuler Donner, and his business manager. No cause of death has been revealed.

Donner directed some of the most iconic movies of the 1970s and ’80s, includingSuperman,The Goonies, andLethal Weapon.Donner’sSuperman(starring Christopher Reeve) was the first “modern” superhero film, and is at least partially responsible for the Marvel and DC mega-hits of today. Donner’s influence on modern cinema is undeniable. Donner’s films introduced us to superhero movie structure, the buddy cop genre as we know it today, and so much more.

Superheroes, Buddy Cops, and Creepy Kids

Donner’s film and television debut came directing his friend Steve McQueen for the television seriesWanted: Dead or Alive. He would go on to direct for other TV series, includingThe TwilightZone,The Fugitive, andThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.In 1975 he directed his first major feature,The Omen, about a creepy kid who just happened to be the Antichrist.The Omenwas a massive box-office success, which gave Donner the opportunity to tackle transferring theSupermancomics to celluloid.

Supermanwas an international hit, spawning several sequels. Along with Steven Spielberg’sClose Encounters of a Third Kindand George Lucas’sStar Wars: A New Hope,Supermanis credited ashelping to create the concept of a sci-fi blockbuster.Wonder Womandirector Patty Jenkins worked closely with Donner’s longtime collaborator Geoff Johns onWonder Woman,andthey both credited Donner’sSupermanas a major influence.

Donner’s 1985 film,The Goonies, which he produced with Spielberg, is a beloved classic that many childhood fans won’t let die. And its fandom has a long reach:directorAdam F. Goldbergwanted to makeGoonies 2happen as recently as last October, a testament to the film’s staying power across generations.

Donner also directed all four films in theLethal Weaponfilm series, which helped set the template for the buddy cop genre.Lethal Weaponspawned three sequels and a television series, and has been referenced in everything fromGodzilla vs. KongtoIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.TheLethal Weaponfranchise has grossed close to a billion dollars worldwide, and has inspired countless filmmakers with its blend of action and comedy.

Donner’s other films include the Bill Murray holiday hum-bug classicScrooged, as well as thecowboy comedyMaverick. He also directedAssassins,Timeline,Radio Flyer, and16 Blocks,and more. He will be missed.