The producers attempted, and failed, to get the services of Richard Lester, who had directed "Superman III" and had completed the second film after their dismissal of original director Richard Donner. Robert Wise also turned down the director's chair. But French filmmaker Jeannot Szwarc, who was best-known at that time for his work in television and for directing "Jaws 2", was ultimately chosen after a meeting with Christopher Reeve, who had complimented the "Somewhere in Time" director. Szwarc sought advice from Donner over some technical aspects of the production.