The Superman Super Site has received word directly from Ilya Salkind that he will be a featured celebrity guest at the 32nd Annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois!

Here is the official press release from the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce confirming this news:

Ilya Salkind, whose movie productions include Superman, Superman II, and Superman III, will be a special guest at the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois on June 10-13.

Salkind initiated the blockbuster Superman franchise, starring Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando and Margot Kidder, which became one of the most successful film franchises history. The Academy Award winning Superman: The Movie also has the distinction of being the first major comic book film adaptation ever made. Under his supervision, this film and its first two sequels became worldwide blockbusters. Salkind also produced, Supergirl, starring Helen Slater.

Mr. Salkind's first venture into television, Superboy , also proved successful, lasting four seasons for a total of 100 episodes and is now a huge hit on DVD. In the years following the success of Superboy, Salkind focused his energies on the youth oriented feature, Young Alexander the Great. During that period Salkind also executive produced, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II.

Salkind has been described as a “mega-producer” whose hallmark career highlights strong commercial creative vision and the skilled business acumen to deliver film and television production on-time and on-budget. He ranks among an elite group of producers whose films have generated more than $3 billion in adjusted worldwide revenue, with an adjusted average of $250 million per movie.

Born in Mexico City in 1952, Salkind grew up in the world of motion pictures. His grandfather, Michael Salkind, was one of the pioneers of silent films and produced Joyless Street (1925), featuring Greta Garbo in her first major role. Afterwards Michael and his son, Alexander, were responsible for many successful films of artistic achievement, including Orson Welles The Trial (1962). Ilya Salkind then took the reins and became the third generation of these successful filmmakers. He has worked out of Paris, Rome, London, Madrid, New York and Los Angeles, and speaks fluent French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and English.

At a young age, Salkind started his career as a producer and has accumulated a stunning filmography. He produced, with his father and grandfather, the tremendous worldwide box office hits The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers, among many other films. The production of these two films was the first time in the industry a film and its sequel were shot simultaneously.

Now based in Los Angeles, Salkind and The Ilya Salkind Company, Inc. are on the fast track with a slate of Epic Motion Pictures ahead of them.

During the Metropolis Superman Celebration, Salkind will speak about his unique experience with the Superman movies and will be available to answer questions from fans.

Other special guests who will be are part of this year’s Celebration are Smallville actors, Laura Vandervoort, who portrays Supergirl/ Kara and Sam Witwer, also known as Doomsday. And, the “First Lady of Metropolis” Noel Neill is scheduled to make a return trip to the festival where a statue of her portrayal as Lois Lane will be unveiled on June 11.

For more information about the Superman Celebration visit www.supermancelebration.net or call 800-949-5740. For information about Superman and other Metropolis attractions, visit www.metropolistourism.com or call 877-424-5025.