Hollywood Flashback: Before ‘The Substance,’ ‘The Fly’ Had Oscar Buzz

by

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast with a soft spot for body-horror films that push the boundaries of imagination, I must say that The Substance and The Fly are two masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on my psyche. While The Substance’s satirical take on transformation is thought-provoking, The Fly’s gripping narrative and groundbreaking special effects have me hooked from the very first frame.

The movie titled “The Substance” is captivating viewers, with director Coralie Fargeat’s satirical work garnering attention – and perhaps causing discomfort – through the striking physical metamorphosis of its main characters, portrayed by Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. If this film receives an Oscar nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, it would mirror the trajectory of another body-horror film, “The Fly“.

1986’s cult classic “The Fly,” directed by David Cronenberg, is a remake of the 1958 movie with the same name, based on a short story by George Langelaan. The film stars Jeff Goldblum as Seth Brundle, a brilliant but unfortunate scientist who experiences a disastrous teleportation experiment, resulting in his grotesque transformation into a human-fly hybrid. Chris Walas and Stephan Dupuis, renowned special effects and makeup artists from Cronenberg’s 1981 film “Scanners,” were responsible for creating Goldblum’s terrifying metamorphosis. Walas was in high demand at the time, having worked on films such as “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Return of the Jedi,” and “Gremlins.” In a 2017 interview, Walas shared that “The Fly” was one of his most challenging projects due to the limited time available for pre-production. As the film was already being shot in Toronto, Walas’ California-based workshop was still busy creating inside-out baboons, an oversized maggot, and Goldblum’s final form. A substantial portion of the puppets used at the end of the film could only be partially completed beforehand, with Walas needing to finish the remaining work between scenes in Toronto.

20th Century Fox premiered “The Fly” on August 15, 1986, and it grossed approximately $60 million ($174 million in current value) worldwide at the box office. Walas and Dupuis received Oscars for their makeup artistry, and the film garnered a dedicated fanbase.

Previously, Walters directed the 1989 film “The Fly II” featuring Eric Stoltz. However, fans continue to dream that Cronenberg will revisit the world of his original movie. In 2009, there were whispers of a continuation, but Cronenberg disclosed that financial issues prevented it from happening. Reflecting on his abandoned sequel, he described it as “a contemplation on insect-like qualities.” He expressed satisfaction with the project and was disappointed when it didn’t get produced.

This tale was initially published in a separate December edition of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine. If you’d like to get the magazine delivered, click here to subscribe.

Read More

2024-12-03 23:55