Traditionally it has been rare to get a glimpse — at least for the everyday movie fan — into the decision making process that goes on behind closed doors in Hollywood. Prior to the dawn of the Internet and its later birth of the hyper-active blogosphere, these decisions were made and often not talked about until someone wrote a book about all the great movies that could have been. The Internet has blown those doors wide open, as evidence by filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro opening up to fans this week to talk of the potential demise of his adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness. So who is to blame for killing a film that so many would like to see made? Apparently, indirectly, it’s Ridley Scott.
Taking to the message boards of Del Toro Films, the director of Hellboy and Pan’s Labrynth had the following to say to his fans:
“I have been interviewed about this lately and wanted to post my two cents about this:
Prometheus started filming a while ago – right at the time we were in preproduction on PACIFIC RIM. The title itself gave me pause – knowing that ALIEN was heavily influenced by Lovecraft and his novella.
This time, decades later with the budget and place Ridley Scott occupied, I assumed the greek metaphor alluded at the creation aspects of the HPL book. I believe I am right and if so, as a fan, I am delighted to see a new RS science fiction film, but this will probably mark a long pause – if not the demise – of ATMOM.
The sad part is – I have been pursuing ATMOM for over a decade now – and, well, after Hellboy II two projects I dearly loved were not brought to fruition for me.
The good part is: One project did… And I am loving it and grateful for the blessings I have received.”
Del Toro cites the potential for “almost identical” scenes between Ridley’s upcoming sci-fi blockbuster and his proposed movie, displaying a knowledge of Scott’s film that goes beyond what anyone in the public has. ”Both movies seem to share identical set pieces,” he explains. “And the exact same BIG REVELATION (twist) at the end. I won’t spoil it.”
Being not all that familiar with the Lovecraft text and attempting to avoid spoiling Prometheus for myself, it’s hard to speculate about exactly what Del Toro has seen in Scott’s movie that would be so identical. Although I can’t wait to get one of our more Lovecraftian loving writers to see Prometheus and give us a side-by-side comparison. Either way, Del Toro coming to grips with the end of ATMOM is good, in a way, allowing him to move on to one of the 25 other projects he’s been talking about for years. And remember, Pacific Rim is a giant monster movie from Guillermo Del Toro. Lovecraft or no, that’s going to be fun.
Via: Shock Till You Drop