If there's anyone out there who understands when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em it's Richard Donner, and I don't say that because he directed Maverick.
No, I attest to that on Mr. Donner's behalf because he understands when it's a good idea to proceed with movie sequel and when it's time to say enough is enough. It's such a rare quality in movie makers these days. For example, he directed Superman and its well crafted sequel Superman II. When offered a third film, did he go for it? No! And when it was made, did was it worse than Lex Luthor's toupee? Yes! Good call, Richard.
OK, maybe he went a little far with the Lethal Weapon films but they were still fun movies right down to the end. Five would have been too much. Again good job, Donner. Now, in an interview with IGN Film Force he's been asked about a Goonies sequel. His response?
"We tried. No, I don't think so. We tried really hard. Steven and I, we pitched a couple of things to them and, quite honestly, they weren't right. And we put it aside. If I could ever find a really good handle on a screenplay for it, I'd go pitch it again, because talking about [something] I'd want to see… It's extraordinary. But it's got to be right, or don't do it, because I couldn't believe that movie. It's done to generations of kids what it's done."
If only more folks in Hollywood shared that philosophy and understood what it really meant. Mr. Donner, I salute you.
