Geena Davis: “Thelma & Louise really doesn't need a remake!”

Susan Sarandon's acting partner loves Ridley Scott's feminist film so much that she doesn't see the point in remaking it.

It's the story of two women on a road trip in a 1966 Ford Thunderbird. Louise Sawyer (Susan Sarandon) and Thelma Dickinson (Geena Davis) just want to have a weekend of freedom and travel the great spaces of the American Southwest. But, faced with crude and brutal men, they will become outlaws in spite of themselves. And what should have been just a simple stroll with friends will turn into a thrilling chase with the police…

Invited to the Bentonville Film Festival, Geena Davis discussed with IndieWire of the heritage of Thelma and Louisethe female thriller directed by Ridley Scott from a scenario of Callie Khouria nice success in 1991 at the cinema.

First of all, she wanted to point out that even a man can direct a feminist film:

“I tend to repeat that it's a guy who directed Thelma and Louise, she confides, laughing. Not to highlight men, but to say that women can achieve anything they want… and men too. You just have to put your heart into it.”

Thelma and Louise: the wild feminine team

At the time, Ridley Scott first thought of simply producing Thelma and Louise. He had acquired the rights to the script for $500,000 (the first from its author, which also earned him an Oscar). Davis says:

“Ridley is quite a feminist himself. There are almost only women in his production company. He loves women, he respects them. At first, he didn't think he would direct this film, but when meeting other directors, he got fired up, he was passionate about describing what he had in mind. He didn't find anyone who wasn't as excited as him, so that's where he was. thought, 'Okay, maybe I should do it myself?' He probably succeeded. He did an incredible job on Thelma and Louise.”

“With Susan (Sarandonhis playing partner, editor’s note)we often talk about the fact that he succeeded so well in giving scope to this story, even though it was ultimately very intimate, she continues about the filmmaker. He gave it volume, a vision that truly elevated the film to another level. It was extremely important and we were always grateful to him.”

The question of a remake arises regularly in Hollywood. Over time, for example, there have been rumors about a version with Beyonce and Lady Gaga or another led by Evan Rachel Wood and Amanda Seyfried (in musical comedy)…

“No, this movie should never be remade! exclaims the interpreter of Thelma. It's already around thirty years old and it holds up better than most films. I'm not saying this because I'm in it, eh, but it's still extremely relevant. There is no reason to revisit it. What would that be for? That's my opinion anyway.

It would be better to bring it out in the cinema, in fact. I'm always for the idea of ​​giving a second chance to films that didn't do that well in theaters. (in this case, Scott's earned 45 million dollars for a budget of 16.5, which does not make it a flop, editor's note). That would be great. Thank goodness no one has tried to do it again Casablanca or… Well, for now! I am happy that Thelma and Louise has not been remade.”

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