At almost 87 years young, Ridley Scott isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. The iconic director recently sat down for a candid interview to reflect on his five-decade-long career- from his iconic films such as Alien and Blade Runner to his highly expected Gladiator II, Scott’s passion for filmmaking remains as strong as ever.
Scott has zero interest in retirement. He says he will continue to direct “until I go.” As he told The Hollywood Reporter, “I wouldn’t be doing it if directing felt like work. It’s my passion, and therefore my pleasure.” Physical complaints-mounting knee problems from playing tennis too energetically- hardly seem to impede Scott’s dedication to his art. He joked, “We were shooting Gladiator II when it was 112 degrees outside, and I had to be out there.”
Scott’s career got a late start compared with many of his peers. While directors such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas had early beginnings. Scott did not get started until he was 40 years old. His first feature, The Duelists, came out in 1977 and launched an astonishing career that would eventually produce some of the most influential films ever to come out of movie cameras.
Early buzz is building for Gladiator II, the sequel to the 2000 hit. As Scott sings the praises of star Paul Mescal, who takes on the role of Lucius. “This kid’s interesting,” Scott said, stating how Mescal’s performance reminded him of Richard Harris. With a heavy dose of thematic heft and powerhouse acting, Oscar chatter has already begun regarding the film.
Aside from the mentioned Gladiator II, Scott is working on a few projects. Simultaneously, including Blade Runner 2099 and Alien: Earth. He was also preparing to direct a biopic about the Bee Gees, which he termed a “new challenge.”
Through all the ups and downs in his career, including the tragic loss of his brother, director Tony Scott, Ridley Scott remains steadfastly focused on his metier. He summed up the above approach by saying, “I consider it my reward to do what I do.”
The legacy of Scott continues to grow with each push of creative boundaries. Promising many more films and projects for many years to come.
ANI
