Quotes

[acknowledging Geoffrey Unsworth for developing the photography process that made the flying scenes in Superman (1978) possible] If it hadn't been for Geoffrey Unsworth, we wouldn't have had a movie.

[on Mel Gibson] Mel Gibson is God's gift to a director, but he tells the worst jokes in the world.

[on Mel Gibson] The most exciting thing that's come into my life as an actor and a friend. He's a very special human being.

[on László Kovács, cinematographer] He is and was such a genius. He loved light so much. He and Vilmos [cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond]. It was like you'd toss a coin. "Who are we going to get? Who's available? Get me one of them Hungarians!"

[on Christopher Reeve] He's the real-life Superman. I know I will see him walk again.

[on casting Marlon Brando in Superman (1978)] Marlon's the kind of man that if he can collect his money and not do the deed, he'd be only too happy to do so.

I have a bust of Abraham Lincoln in my office, and it's not because of the greatness he did for our country, but it's because that whenever I look at it I have to remember an actor killed him.

After all the movies I had made and all the money I had made the studios, I did one little unsuccessful picture and nobody wanted to hire me. I was the old fart.