Join WhatsApp Channel
Join Telegram ChannelThe filmmaker is “trying to resurrect” his historic film “in a 4-hour film”, for a platform.
On the occasion of the theatrical release of Gladiator II, Ridley Scott was delivered in the pages of Hollywood Reporter about his long career in Hollywood. Recalling that he started in his forties, in the 1970s, unlike Steven Spielberg or George Lucas, who were younger than him when they were a hit in the cinema thanks to Jaws, AND Or Star Warshe explains that he wants to make films until his death, taking the example of the longevity of Clint Eastwood, who has just been released Juror #2 at 94 years old – and who receives very positive notices for this film. Scott also says he feels fit enough, at almost 87 years old, to direct a few more blockbusters.
Evoking in particular the sixteen films he shot in 24 years, between the first Gladiator and its sequel, and his loyalty to the Fox studio, he is also questioned about the legacy ofAlienhis saga initiated in 1979 which escaped him a little, or on the film of his work which did not work in theaters, but which deserves to be rediscovered. If he mentions Legend (1985) for “the perfect game” by Tim Curry, he instead chooses Cartel (2013), written by Cormac McCarthy (The Road) and worn by Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt.
Ridley Scott defends his most hated film: “It's really fucking good!”
Also explaining why he refused to succeed his brother, Tony Scott, at the helm of the sequel Top Gunand concluding the interview on the fact that the latter, who tragically disappeared in 2012, misses him enormously, he reveals that he is trying to come out 1492. Carried by Gérard Depardieu And Sigourney Weaverand released in 1992, this historical film about Christopher Columbus is not as popular as Blade Runner Or Gladiator within its film: with 3 million admissions, it had done well in France, but not at all in the United States. However, the filmmaker would like to produce a long version so that the public can rediscover it in streaming.
Speaking about his collaboration with the composer Vangelis, he details:
“I worked with him on a film that I am very proud of: 1492with Gérard Depardieu. The problem with Gérard is that he doesn't speak English very well, and at the time, I didn't have the courage to say to him: 'Gérard, we should re-record your lines.' I'm now trying to resurrect 1492because it was filmed carefully, it is well performed and its music is beautiful. I'm trying to make a four-hour film out of it for a platform. Now, if I ask him: 'Gérard, can we have you voiced by Kenneth Branagh?'he will probably answer us: 'Of course.'“
Gérard Depardieu would therefore not be erased from the film, as Ridley Scott was able to do it for Kevin Spaceywhen he was accused of sexual assault when he had just directed him in All the money in the worldand that he had replaced him with Christopher Plummer while refilming several key scenes from his thriller. The accusations weighing against the French actor today are not linked to this choice to come out 1492redubbed and in a long version (the original was already 149 minutes, or almost 2h30) on a streaming service. Will the director call on Apple, as for his Napoleon ? And will he really ask Branagh to take on the dubbing of the lead role? Or does he use him as an example because he is associated in the public mind with his mastery “perfect” of the English language? This British actor and director has adapted William Shakespeare's plays for the big screen several times, and has a masterful command of the language “classic”.
While waiting to learn more about these potential reworks of 1492, here is the trailer for Gladiator IIcurrently watching at the cinema:
Ridley Scott recounts Gladiator II: “I thought a sequel could have been atrocious”