As a cinephile who has traversed through the annals of cinematic history for decades, I must say that Ridley Scott‘s career is nothing short of legendary. From his humble beginnings on BBC television to directing blockbuster hits like Gladiator and Blade Runner, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry.
87-year-old cinematic legend Ridley Scott is being honored this month, as he sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for a comprehensive look back on his career and future projects, including the eagerly awaited continuation of Gladiator titled Gladiator II. Kicking off his career at 26 years old by working on BBC television productions, Scott later established Ridley Scott Associates with his brother Tony before directing his debut feature film, The Duellists, in 1977. Since then, he has consistently been creating films and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Reflecting on his professional journey, Scott pointed out with pride the iconic opening scene of “Blade Runner,” which holds a special place in his heart due to its composer, Vangelis’ evocative music. Earlier in his career, Scott collaborated with Vangelis on the movie “1492: Conquest of Paradise,” featuring Gérard Depardieu and Sigourney Weaver. Scott reminisced about Depardieu’s acting and praised the film for its stunning visuals, exceptional music, and score. The storyline of “1492” revolves around Christopher Columbus’ voyage to North America. Expressing his desire for a return to this project, Scott expressed his aspirations for revisiting it in the future.
I’m making an effort to revive the production of “1492” due to its stunning cinematography, acting, and music. I aim to reintroduce it as a four-hour film for a streaming service. If I were to ask, “Gérard, can we rerecord your lines with Kenneth Branagh?”, he’d likely respond, “Sure, absolutely.
1992 saw the release of the movie “1492” to commemorate Columbus’ voyage, which took place 500 years prior. However, in the year 2024, a film about Columbus might elicit a vastly different response due to shifting perceptions. Today, it is widely accepted that he did not ‘discover’ America and instead enslaved and mistreated countless indigenous people, taking their land and using body parts as gruesome warnings. As a result, Columbus Day has been rebranded as Indigenous Peoples Day by many. While an epic film about the expedition could still be captivating, it will be intriguing to observe how objectively it portrays the events and from what perspective it tells the story.
Gladiator II and Other Upcoming Ridley Scott Productions
Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to helm some truly remarkable movies. Just last year, I directed “The Last Duel” and “The House of Gucci”, and in 2023, you’ll find me at the helm of “Napoleon”. The upcoming film, “Gladiator II”, is creating quite a stir online, with many speculating it could earn some well-deserved Oscar nominations – much like its predecessor. It’s hard to believe, but despite these numerous nominations over the years, I haven’t yet taken home an Oscar statue. My nods include Best Picture for “The Martian” in 2016 and Best Director for “Thelma & Louise”, “Gladiator”, and “Black Hawk Down” in 1992, 2001, and 2002 respectively, featuring the talented Matt Damon in one of those.
During the interview, the director boasts about the project, feeling certain he has successfully delivered the anticipated sequel. The runtime is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, with opening titles featuring animated elements reminiscent of the original Gladiator film at the start. The cast is filled with A-list stars like Denzel Washington (from The Equalizer), Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), Paul Mescal (All of Us Strangers), and Barry Keoghan (Saltburn).
Apart from his role, Scott has been actively producing films through his company, Scott Free. Lately, he’s been behind the scenes of this summer’s “Alien: Romulus” and the upcoming “Blade Runner 2099” series on Prime Video, which was developed by Silka Luisa. Additionally, a new series named “Alien: Earth,” created by Noah Hawley, is set to air on FX. When asked about his feelings regarding his cinematic work being reimagined by fresh talent for the smaller screen, Scott expressed…
For a period of time, I’ve visualized the pace myself. I am well aware of what I’ve accomplished and its impact, as I constantly recognize it – “Look, that’s me… there’s me again…” At first, it was bothersome, but now it’s entertaining and beneficial.
As a cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement for the upcoming cinematic events. Ridley Scott, the filmmaker, has commended R.J. Hawkey for staying faithful to the essence of the original “Alien” in his work, and I wholeheartedly agree that it’s a series worth watching, regardless of the platform. Fast-forwarding to 2025, “Blade Runner 2099” will grace our screens on Amazon Prime. And mark your calendars for Nov. 22, 2023, as we’ll be stepping back into the coliseum with “Gladiator II.
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2024-11-11 08:04