Ridley Scottreveals the advice he got as a young filmmaker following several high-profile disappointments. Now 87 years old, Scott has been making movies for nearly 50 years. After working in TV and commercials, Scott released his first movie in 1997 calledThe Duellists. The filmmaker followed up this film’s lackluster theatrical run with his iconic sci-fi horror,Alien, in 1979, followed by the belovedBlade Runnerin 1982, andLegendin 1985. OnlyAlienwas a commercial success at the time.
During a recent discussion withAlien: Romulusdirector Fede Alvarez on the Director’s Guild of America’sTheDirector’s Cutpodcast (viaEW), Scott reflects on these early-career disappointments. The filmmaker recalls getting some unwelcome advice from a studio executive at the time, who recommended that he make movies “about normalpeople” instead. Check out Scott’s recollection of the encounter below:
“There’s only one film worked out of all of that lot. But they’re a pretty good first four movies. So I knew I’m on the right track. But somebody at one of the studios said to me,‘Why don’t you do a film about normal people?‘I went, ‘What the f— does that mean?’ Because no one’s normal unless you’re totally boring, right?”
The director goes on to touch onBlade Runner, specifically, recalling that legendary film critic Pauline Kael came down particularly hard on the film. “She destroyed me, “Scott recalls. “[She] destroyed Blade Runner in four pages. I didn’t even meet her. To me, it almost walked in the column of industrial espionage, because you’re destroying a product before it’s out.”
Scott looks back on those first four films fondly, suggesting thatmarketing may be to blame for some of their box office failures:
“These are all good movies, so there’s something deeply wrong with the audience or marketing. But you know, I’m not bitter. I’m very happy where I am. It is the best attitude that one can have. I think, you know, that’s the best attitude that one can have, to just love all of your movies, trust, and keep going.”
What Scott’s Comments Mean For His Career Arc
Perceptions of Some Of Scott’s Movies Have Evolved Over Time
Scott has had a unique career as a filmmaker with some very strong ups and downs. What’s particularly interesting about Scott’s career is just how much the views of his movies change over time.Blade Runnermay have disappointed commercially and earned some negative reviews in 1982, butit’s now widely regarded as one of the best and most influential sci-fi movies of all time. This kind of reappraisal isn’t just limited to Scott’s early work, however.
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With Gladiator II as his most recent hit, it’s worth revisiting the best movies of legendary director Ridley Scott to see where it stacks up.
2005’sKingdom of Heavenunderwhelmed critically and commercially, but it is now looked upon far more favorably following the release of Scott’s longer director’s cut. Even 2017’sAlien: Covenant, the second ofScott’sAlienprequel moviesafterPrometheus, is now viewed more favorably than when it came out.Scott, then, continues to release films that evolve in their reputationover time. AfterGladiator 2reviewsproved somewhat lukewarm in November, perhaps this film will also be seen differently in 10 years.
The reception toNapoleonwas very mixed last year, signalling that this could be another film that eventually gets reappraised.
Our Take On Scott’s Career Reflection
Scott Isn’t Slowing Down As A Filmmaker
Thankfully, Scott didn’t take this unnamed executive’s advice about making more movies about “normal people.” Scott choosing to make movies about exceptional people in exceptional situations across a variety of genres has given audiences some truly memorable experiences.
Though not all of Scott’s movies work or are now seen favorably,his continued excitement and enthusiasm for making movies is commendable. Even at 87, Scott has a number of projects on the horizon, including apotentialGladiator 3. It’s possible that not all of Scott’s upcoming movies will be successful, but it’s clear looking back at his career that perceptions of them will likely evolve over time, along with the rest of his filmmography.
Source:The Director’s Cut Podcast(viaEW)
Ridley Scott
Discover the latest news and filmography for Ridley Scott, known for Gladiator and Blade Runner.
