Ridley Scott talks ‘claustrophobia’ of ‘Alien’ and confirms Harrison Ford for ‘Blade Runner’ sequel
“Prometheus” will return audiences to the “Alien” universe and mythos, even if it isn’t directly Alien in nature. Director Ridley Scott now adds another chapter in his illustrious career which also includes “Blade Runner” and “Gladiator.” Scott managing viral ads promoting the film’s multi-trillionaire (Guy Pearce), who is seeking the origins of life and an ad promoting the android David, played by Michael Fassbender.
The “Alien” director admitted in The Playlist interview published Saturday that he’s a control freak.
“I’m involved in everything you see. I’m a dyed-in-the-wool businessman.”
He prides himself on his efficiency, rarely shooting more than three shots on a take and delivering Hollywood masterpieces on a reasonable budget.
“Anybody who does 90 takes has a problem. Some people would have spent $250m (to make “Gladiator”), in a heartbeat. Just by sheer inefficiency. Unbelievable. Shocking.”
While there were battles over “Alien” and handling the science fiction classic. Scott was clear in his vision for the HR Giger universe.
“I wanted Alien to be all about claustrophobia. I remember going round measuring the heights of the ceilings, saying to the set-builders, ‘I said seven-foot-four, you’ve got these at seven-foot-six. I want you to drop the ceilings another two inches, otherwise I won’t see them in the bloody camera!’. I was always a camera operator in commercials. It was faster – one less person to have to communicate with. So I was the operator on Alien, and I took a camera body on set with a lens and said, ‘You’re lying! Measure it!’. And they had to drop the ceilings.”
Some critics target his obsession with sets, designs, hidden messages, but the “Black Hawk Down” director couldn’t disagree more with these accusations.
“It’s bullshit. Bulls**t. There was this idea that the actors were really unhappy on Alien. But it didn’t half work, did it? When has Sigourney been better? When has Tom Skerritt been better? Harry Dean Stanton thanked me at the end of it. I climb into the arena with the actors. I cast really carefully, and then I join the club. If Fassbender says, ‘How do you want me to do it?’ I say, ‘Do you want me to show you?’. I don’t care. I’m fearless. I’ll f***ing do it.”
Lastly, the questions broached the topic of the upcoming “Blade Runner” sequel/prequel and the possible appearance of Deckard, played by Harrison Ford in the 1982 film.
“I don’t think it’ll be Harry [starring]. But I’ve got to have him in it somewhere. That’d be amusing.”
“Prometheus” stars Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Rafe Spall, Logan Marshall-Green, Sean Harris and Patrick Wilson.
“Prometheus” opens in theaters on June 8, 2012.
Ridley Scott directing Michael Fassbender in “Prometheus” Photo/20th Century FOX
