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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
So, Ridley Scott, 86, is known for being strong-willed, opinionated, and just a touch, sensitive. Now, he’s bringing his charming, affable personality to comic book movies. Again.
To say that the four-time Oscar-nominated, science-fiction deity isn’t a fan of superheroes and CBMs is an understatement. For instance, his recent interview with Deadline.
There they are, Deadline‘s Mike Fleming and Hollywood’s elite Ridley Scott talking about Gladiator and his relationship with Joaquin Phoenix, as well as the long-awaited and slated 2025 Gladiator 2. Of course, being a skilled reporter, Mike understands how to get under someone’s skin for the headlines.
So, he uncorks the $25,000 question, “Hey Ridley. Talk to me about you ever directing superhero movies.” That’s when the good times ensued.
Yeah, been offered [them], but just said, ‘No, thank you.’ Not for me. I’ve done two or three superhero films. I think Sigourney Weaver’s a superhero in Aliens. I think Russell Crowe‘s a superhero in Gladiator. And Harrison Ford is the super, anti-hero in Blade Runner. The difference is, the f—cking stories are better.”
Fun, right?
Ridley Scott: Been There, Done That, Screw the T-Shirt
This is the visionary behind all-time classics like Blade Runner, Alien, Kingdom of Heaven, Thelma and Louise, and The Martian. He knows a good movie and adores shaping a story that is gripping and teleports someone to a different time and place.
While doing press junkets for House of Gucci, he was asked about the peak interest of CBMs, to which, Scott said, “[superhero films] are fuckinng boring as shit.” Of course, the filmmaker was holding back a little, but he really let it fly on follow-up.
Sorry. I got off the rail, but I mean, come on. [Superhero movies] are mostly saved by special effects, and that’s becoming boring for everyone who works with special effects if you’ve got the money.
The interesting thing is that Ridley Scott will tell you–or anyone who asks–that superhero movies are already part of his portfolio. Wait, what?
[I made] three great scripted superhero movies… One would be Alien with Sigourney Weaver. One would be fucking Gladiator, and one would be Harrison Ford [in Blade Runner]. They’re superhero movies. So, why don’t the superhero movies have better stories?
Fast forward to today and he’s still offering the same cantankerous old fart-isms, so, at least, he’s consistent. As for Gladiator 2, Captain Happy will have to work on someone else as his superhero since Russell Crowe is not part of the Roman Reunion.
There have been, what, 429 people to play Batman? Another Maximus “superhero” will be fine.
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
