Behind the scenes during the making of the 2017 sequel Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve, there was a whispered understanding that Warner Bros. Pictures didn’t anticipate a blockbuster, but they invested heavily in the project because they had unwavering faith in Denis Villeneuve as a filmmaker.
In essence, it’s like a studio occasionally choosing to intentionally burn a stack of cash while standing beside a fully operational fire hose, never turning it on, all because they want to nurture talent they believe will eventually rake in a fortune in terms of both money and awards.
Denis Villeneuve Thought His Career Would Be Over
Yet, there was a moment when the Canadian director pondered whether he had reached his peak, especially after making the bold choice to potentially tamper with Ridley Scott’s adored 1982 science fiction masterpiece, Blade Runner, which, ironically, had its own initial brush with box office disappointment.
In an interview on MTV’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Denis Villeneuve opened up about just how dangerously close he felt to losing his career.
Denis Villeneuve said on Happy Sad Confused podcast:
“The miracle for me about ‘Blade Runner 2049’ is the following: I’m still making movies and you’re still talking to me. I knew that when I did this movie I flirted with disaster. I put myself into massive artistic danger. That was walking, as Christopher Nolan said to me once… walking on sacred territory. It’s true. It was sacrilegious what I did. I was told, ‘You don’t do that.’ Just the fact that I’m still here making movies, for me…at least I wasn’t banned from the filmmaker community. It was a dangerous game.”
Blade Runner 2049 raked in $92.1 million from the United States and Canada, while it pulled in an additional $175.4 million from international markets, amassing a global sum of $267.5 million. All this was achieved despite a production budget estimated to fall within the range of $150 million to $185 million.
Denis Villeneuve Could Challenge Christopher Nolan In the Bond Race
Amidst the intense online debate surrounding the next James Bond following Daniel Craig, there’s another intriguing development unfolding in the background. Quietly but significantly, a director has stepped into the scene, and it happens to be none other than Denis Villeneuve. While fervent 007 fans are busy hoping their favorite actor secures the role, Villeneuve’s appointment as the director has added an intriguing twist to the mix.
Throughout his career, Villeneuve has left an indelible mark in Hollywood, with notable films like the recent 2021 release, Dune. The movie achieved impressive success, grossing a remarkable $402 million while working with a budget of $165 million.
But another report from World Of Reel indicates that Bond producers are edging closer to finalizing a deal with Christopher Nolan to serve as both the writer and director for the next pair of James Bond films. This potential development marks a substantial departure from tradition, as it would signify the first instance in several years where a James Bond movie is being crafted without Daniel Craig in the iconic lead role.
Source: Happy Sad Confused, World Of Reel
