It’s really a shame. One of the positive by-products of the studio system’s reluctance to hire strong, visioned directors has been a decent uptick in actors and writers stepping into the director’s chair. They’re being welcomed, and those uninterested in the mainstream are also putting their own blood, sweat, and financing into making art their own way. Sadly, not all projects will make it through.
According to Cinema Blend, that’s the story with Ewan McGregor‘s directorial debut – a story about a 1968 yacht race. Apparently someone else got to the idea (legally) before he did.
In a statement to Nylon Guys Magazine, the actor said, “My wife was going to design it, I wasn’t going to be in it. And then I found out someone else is doing it. I was gutted.”
I find myself gutted, too, because McGregor is the kind of talent that seems like he could beautifully translate to the language behind the camera. Fortunately, this isn’t the end of the story. This particular project might be gone (or it might always return…), but McGregor is intent on finding a solid subject matter and taking his first turn calling out “Action!”. Hopefully he finds something worthwhile soon.