As a seasoned gamer with a knack for historical epics, I can’t help but draw parallels between my gaming experiences and the cinematic journey of Oliver Stone‘s Alexander. Just like how I’ve spent countless hours strategizing and overcoming challenges in Age of Empires, Stone and his team faced their own battles – from managing a star-studded cast to filming on three continents.
As a passionate admirer, I eagerly anticipate delving into Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II,” set to premiere in theaters on November 22, boasting an all-star cast including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal. However, it’s interesting to note that another esteemed director encountered a bumpy journey when crafting his own historical epic two decades ago.
The film titled “Alexander” serves as a lifelong endeavor for Academy Award winner Oliver Stone, delving into the life story of the renowned Macedonian monarch, Alexander the Great. This epic production boasts an illustrious ensemble including Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, and Anthony Hopkins in key roles. Coincidentally, during this period, Baz Luhrmann was also working on a different version of Alexander’s tale, which featured Leonardo DiCaprio and Mel Gibson.
According to producer Tabrez Noorani, everyone was eagerly trying to be the first to begin work on it, and Oliver had a strong desire for a swift start, as reported to The Hollywood Reporter. Producer Thomas Schühly reminisces about collaborating with Stone on this project way back in 1988. The success of the initial Gladiator movie in 2000 eventually paved the way for Alexander to be produced. Based on the research by historian Robin Lane Fox, the demanding production took place across three continents over a six-month period and faced challenges like filming a battle with 25 trained elephants and Farrell suffering a broken leg off set.
Warner Bros. unveiled the three-hour movie “Alexander” on November 24, 2004, which faced severe criticism due to its implied portrayal of the ruler as bisexual, sparking heated discussions. The film had an expenditure exceeding $150 million but managed to earn only $167 million worldwide, and the negative feedback significantly impacted its performance.
Last year, Farrell shared with THR that everyone was excited, saying something like, “Alright guys, we’re headed to the Oscars!” after wrapping filming. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically once reviews started coming in. At one point, Farrell even doubted his career decisions, admitting he felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment: “I was filled with so much shame.
In 2012, Stone shared with THR: “It required me three years to finalize that film during editing, and it was a painful process. To be honest, I endured a significant loss of reputation.
Reflecting on the process, Schühly finds it hard to comprehend that the film managed to reach the public. The producer expresses his bewilderment now, stating, “I’ve always struggled to grasp how a renowned company like Warner Bros. agreed to such quality.
I recently came across an interesting tale that was featured in the November 13th issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. If you’d like to stay updated and read more captivating stories like this one, consider subscribing to their magazine!
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2024-11-17 21:24