Michael Mann is one of the New Hollywood directors who burst onto the scene in the 1980s and has maintained a successful career ever since by consistently producing films. Not every great director manages to sustain a filmmaking career, as it’s not an easy feat. Some filmmakers find their niche when they are young and driven, creating personal masterpieces and genre favorites during their peak years. However, many of these directors eventually lose their initial momentum for various reasons. Directors like Coppola, De Palma, and others come to mind when thinking about those who have become less prominent. Conversely, some directors such as Scorsese, Spielberg, and Scott continue to create films throughout their lives. Maintaining success in Hollywood requires the ability to adapt to changing generations, trends, and industry landscapes over time.
Additionally, it’s beneficial when directors can discover unique angles for their projects, ensuring their enthusiasm is sustained. This consistency in the industry over more than four decades is a testament to such an approach. Each stage of Mann’s career may have varied, but the fervor he exhibits throughout remains undeniable. To maintain his success, Mann has been meticulous about the projects he chooses, sometimes encountering unexpected turns along the way. The 2004 film Collateral, though lesser known, was a deeply personal reason for Mann to direct it, adding another layer to the lore of this renowned director.
Collateral Has a Direct Connection to Michael Mann’s Past
During the pinnacle of Michael Mann’s career, Collateral wasn’t just another quality genre film that fans eagerly awaited in the early 2000s; it held a special significance for Mann. The reason he chose to direct this movie was revealed over time. Apart from being directed by a renowned visionary like Michael Mann and boasting an exceptional cast, Collateral featured a brilliant script penned by Stuart Beattie. Interestingly, Collateral wasn’t just another project for writer Stuart Beattie; it was his long-cherished passion project.
At seventeen, he penned the screenplay long before achieving successes like “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.” Later, when it was picked up for production, filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee were in consideration to lead the project. However, Michael Mann eventually stepped in. Unlike his fellow contenders, Mann developed a deep emotional attachment to the script, which fueled his commitment to create this film at a stage he hadn’t anticipated in his career. The screenplay for “Collateral” came to Michael Mann towards the end of .
| Michael Mann Films | Release Year |
|---|---|
| Thief | 1981 |
| Manhunter | 1986 |
| The Last of the Mohicans | 1992 |
| Heat | 1995 |
| The Insider | 1999 |
| Ali | 2001 |
| Collateral | 2004 |
| Public Enemies | 2009 |
| Ferrari | 2023 |
With an impressive string of successful films like “The Last of the Mohicans, Heat, The Insider“, and the contentious biopic “Ali“, Mann was approaching the culmination of a career-defining streak that many directors can only aspire to achieve. “Collateral” marked another unexpected triumph for Michael Mann before his pace slowed down. This film tells the straightforward tale of a cab driver who spends one fateful night under the control of a hitman, as he travels from mark to mark completing his hit list. “Collateral” is a relentless thriller that is rich in significant themes and bursting with exhilarating scenes. The script comes alive on screen, complemented by standout performances.
Once more, notice how the film moves swiftly and showcases Mann’s broad directing skills. It’s evident that he is deeply invested in the production, a fact underscored by his personal ties to the subject matter. What viewers may not know is that Michael Mann had previously worked as a taxi driver before venturing into filmmaking, hailing from a family lineage of cabbies; his father and grandfather also drove cabs. This authentic touch in Mann’s work contributes to Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Max feeling authentic, as this character embodied the struggles and aspirations of a taxi driver with bigger dreams for his future. To put it another way, Michael Mann once walked in Max’s shoes (except when the extraordinary circumstances arise).
Michael Mann’s Preparation for Collateral Extended to the Cast and Crew
When a director has a strong emotional bond with a project, it creates an extraordinary atmosphere or power on the film set that is challenging to articulate. This energy seems infectious and encourages everyone working on the production to match this level of commitment. For instance, Michael Mann desired movie Collateral to convey a distinct mood and authenticity to captivate the audience most effectively. A crucial aspect of the film is portraying a man in a suit wielding a gun. Unlike typical action heroes, the character Vincent is meant to instill fear in Max and, consequently, the viewers, generating a sense of realism that mirrors such high-stress situations. Michael Mann urged Tom Cruise to go above and beyond to make Vincent appear unlike any cold-blooded killer ever portrayed on screen before.
As per Mann’s account, Vincent is said to possess the knack of blending seamlessly into various scenarios, just like an average Joe, to carry out his duties effectively. In preparation for this role, Tom Cruise chose a unique approach – he practiced slipping unnoticed through bustling parts of Los Angeles, aiming to avoid recognition by enthusiastic fans. Occasionally, he managed to go undetected, but other times, the task proved more challenging.
| Collateral Cast | Character |
|---|---|
| Tom Cruise | Vincent |
| Jamie Foxx | Max |
| Jada Pinkett Smith | Annie |
| Mark Ruffalo | Fanning |
| Peter Berg | Weidner |
| Javier Bardem | Felix |
The commitment shown by everyone involved in Tom Cruise’s preparation for his role as a professional killer in the film “Collateral” was remarkable. They not only taught him how a professional would handle a gun, but also simulated various scenarios to make him feel like he was actually living the life of a hitman. This included repeatedly practicing Cruise’s tactical draw until it became instinctive. In fact, Cruise’s tactical draw in the movie is so authentic that it is now used as an instructional tool by handgun experts. Tom Cruise himself acknowledged being amazed by Michael Mann’s meticulous preparation for “Collateral.” He was particularly impressed by Mann’s creation of extensive backstories for the characters, even though these details did not directly impact the plot. These background stories helped Cruise and Jamie Foxx gain a deeper understanding of their characters and grasp Mann’s vision for the film.
As a follower, I can share that these backstories offer profound insights into why my character turned into a killer, the roots of my love for Jazz, and the nature of my upbringing. Michael Mann’s unwavering dedication to this project fueled both me (Cruise) and Foxx. Although he didn’t write the script or conceive the idea, this film is one of his cherished works that he feels fortunate to have been part of.
Collateral Remains One of Michael Mann’s Best Films
Despite Michael Mann being acknowledged for his remarkable body of work in the industry, with classics like “The Insider” and “Thief,” his unexpected masterpiece, “Collateral, often slips under the radar due to its release following a string of impressive films and subsequent works that didn’t quite meet expectations. However, this film continues to resonate with many fans who consider it their favorite Michael Mann movie. Over time, it has proven to be more timeless than some of his earlier works, attracting new admirers each year.
Following “Collateral,” Michael Mann has yet to surpass the 2004 crime thriller in terms of quality or popularity. While “Public Enemies” is undeniably one of the notable films of the 21st century, “Miami Vice” and “Ferrari” didn’t meet expectations. It’s worth noting that Mann began his career in television before transitioning into a prominent filmmaker.
Since coming back to television, he has played a significant role in creating some underestimated TV masterpieces, such as the miniseries “Witness” and others. Furthermore, he has been instrumental in the success of various movies, contributing to box office hits like Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator,” Peter Berg’s “Hancock,” and James Mangold’s “Ford v Ferrari.” Michael Mann’s reputation as a filmmaker remains strong, and his 2004 surprise thriller gem is still considered one of the best films in his career to date.
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2025-04-25 07:07