“I'll never retire”: David Lynch gives update on his illness

The creator of Twin Peaks confirms that he suffers from emphysema, but he is looking for solutions to continue directing films, series or short films.

On the cover of the new issue of Sight & Sound, David Lynch reveals that he can no longer leave his house long enough to shoot a film or a series. Worse, at 78, he gets out of breath just by walking a few meters:

“I have emphysema after smoking for so long, explains the director ofEraserhead, Elephant Man, Sailor and Lula, Blue Velvet And Mulholland Drive. DSo I'm stuck at home, whether I like it or not… I can't go out. Because of Covid, it would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a simple cold.”

A shock to the many fans of his work, including those of Twin Peaksthe cult series from the 1990s that he relaunched with Mark Frost in 2017 via The Returna season 3 just as original as it was back then.

Twin Peaks Ending Explained

Seeing the information being relayed all evening, David Lynch publicly reacted on his X account. While he confirms that he suffers from this serious lung disease, he wants to reassure people in the face of the concerns of Internet users wondering if he will still be able to do his work as a director from home: by designing an animated film, for example? By directing a team remotely? By shooting short films as he does regularly? Here is his message, followed by some details provided in the American magazine:

Ladies and gentlemen,

Yes, I have emphysema from smoking for so many years. I have to admit that I enjoyed smoking a lot, I love tobacco – the smell of it, the act of lighting a cigarette, the consumption of it – but there is a price to pay for that pleasure, and for me, that price is emphysema. I quit smoking two years ago. Recently, I had a lot of tests and the good news is that I am in great shape, except for this emphysema. I feel full of joy, and I will never retire.

I want to tell you that I greatly appreciate your concern.

With love,

David”

When David Lynch didn't want to explain Mulholland Drive: “I don't like to dwell too much on the meaning of things…”

David Lynch hasn't directed a film since Inland Empirein 2006, and in series since 2017, therefore. It runs regularly shortssuch as What did Jack do?, Ant HeadOr I Have a Radioand since the lockdown, he has taken to posting videos from his office, speaking directly to the public to deliver thoughts or… weather points. He has appeared well as an actor in The Fabelmansby Steven Spielberg, in late 2022, but he has actually cut back on his work as a filmmaker in recent years.

However, rumors circulate very regularly about Lynch's return to directing a film: in 2022, he himself had denied his visit to Cannesas it grew in scale. He also tried to turn Snootworldan animated film for Netflix, but the platform ultimately refused, as he explains, again in Sight & Sound:

“Very recently, I thought that someone might be interested in supporting this project, so I presented it to Netflix a few months ago, but they rejected it. This kind of old-fashioned fairy tale is considered unloved: apparently, people don't want to watch them anymore. It's a different world today, and it's easier to say no than to say yes.”

In this long interview, he expresses his desire to continue creating, and wonders if he could not continue directing by managing teams remotely: “I could try to do that from afar, yes, if it comes to that. I would love that, actually.”

This is why David Lynch assures us that “Never” want to retire.

Why David Lynch Agreed to Star in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans