Steven Spielberg is not only one of the great directors of this generation but also the greatest filmmaker in the history of the movie industry. Needless to say, he is one of the most influential directors too. The director has given so many iconic movies and moments that he can enjoy an individual list of his achievements. Spielberg has contributed to some of the most electrifying, bewitching, tragic, and captivating scenes to ever grace the big screen.
Steven Spielberg’s constant success in films such as Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones has made him one of the most successful and wealthy filmmakers of all time. And, the director has worked with renowned names such as Tom Cruise, Roy Scheider, Jeff Goldblum, and many more. However, the director does not like getting ordered around and he makes sure that his stars follow his ideal as well.
Steven Spielberg Makes Sure His Cast Follows His Philosophy
Steven Spielberg has generated billions of dollars at the box office, thanks to the unparalleled combination of his exceptional talent, visionary storytelling techniques, and ability to choose the right films to direct and produce. However, the Schindler’s List director prefers to play a gamble in all of his movies that frequently pays off, and this ideal must also be followed by the cast members he chooses in his movies as well.
During an exclusive interview with NZ Herald, Steven Spielberg elaborated his filmmaking philosophy, and how his movie stars are not given their salaries upfront.
“I haven’t worked with many movie stars – 80 percent of my films don’t have movie stars – and I’ve told them if they want to work with me I want them to gamble along with me. I haven’t taken a salary in 18 years for a movie, so if my film makes no money I get no money. They should be prepared to do the same.”
The Raiders of the Lost Ark director continued that some of the biggest names in the industry accepted his absurd philosophy to work alongside him. He shared how Tom Hanks made no exception for working in Saving Private Ryan.
“He took no money up front at all, not a cent, and no guarantee that he will get money if the film doesn’t perform. Tom Hanks took no cash for Saving Private Ryan but he made a lot of money on his profit participation.”
While Steven Spielberg has a unique philosophy that aids him in making successful films, he has another rule where he prefers to not cast Hollywood’s A-list stars, but he has made a few exceptions. However, there was one star in particular who acted that their star power was too big to work with Steven Spielberg.
The Actor Who Had Doubts Working With Steven Spielberg
In the illustrious career of the Jurassic Park director, where actors have been dying to work alongside Spielberg. However, Will Smith, who was at the peak of their career had his doubts working alongside the visionary director. Although they sort of collaborated in Men in Black, which was produced by Spielberg, he convinced Smith to work in the sci-fi film.
Will Smith told Spielberg on his YouTube channel “I don’t want to be the alien guy.” But the producer remarked that let him do the thinking on the matter.
“‘Do me a favor,’” Smith recalled Spielberg telling him. “‘Don’t use your brain for this one—use my brain.’”
The film was a massive success, and Will Smith had doubts about why the director has never worked with him. And he jokingly said that Smith was “too big for his movies.”
“I ran into Steven Spielberg at a party, and I jokingly asked him why he never hired me for his movies. Steven said, ‘Oh, you’re too big for my movies.’ I laughed it off. I said, ‘What the heck is that supposed to mean? Am I too tall?’”
While fans of both the actor and director want to see them collaborate on a film, Spielberg has his own reasons, as he does not like to be ordered around by his movie stars. However, that might be possible in the near future as Will Smith’s stardom has been immensely affected following the Chris Rock incident. And sooner or later, fans might hear the good news.
Saving Private Ryan can be streamed on Paramount+.
Source: NZ Herald
