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Gus Van Sant's Godfather
By Lee Tistaert Published April 1, 2005
Van Sant noted how many film classics never quite fit the bill for him and he felt he could re-shoot them with the benefits of modern film techniques
Matt Damon, co-star of the independent film Gerry, recently explained Gus Van Sant?s upcoming plans to Bravo after a Project Greenlight interview. Damon said that when he and co-star Casey Affleck were in the desert filming Gerry, they?d talk about what a movie like Casablanca or Citizen Kane might look like if it was filmed today. They even thought of the directors who would be bold enough to do it. And then something happened next that might leave some film buffs squirming: Gus Van Sant joined the discussion.
Van Sant, who was behind the provocative reworking of Alfred Hitchcock?s Psycho, was intrigued when he overheard their conversation. Damon says that they had always respected Van Sant regarding Psycho, acknowledging that even the best of talents have their off days. Damon commented, ?I understood Gus. If Psycho had been my ticket in before Good Will, you bet your ass I would?ve taken it.? Laughing, Damon continued, ?The only thing is, I?m a genius, and so today I wouldn?t take the ticket. But Gus is the kind of guy who needs to take in some of the genius from others. That?s why Casey and I did Gerry.?
Van Sant took over the conversation around the campfire. According to Damon, Van Sant noted how many film classics never quite fit the bill for him and he felt he could re-shoot them with the benefits of modern film techniques. ?He?s much more akin to the modern day possibilities than the filmmaking restrictions of the 50?s, 60?s, and to some extent, 70?s. Nowadays directors can do a lot with editing, and that wasn?t possible back then.?
Van Sant has said that he doesn?t regret Psycho, and it has afforded him many possibilities ever since. One would think it would?ve closed more doors rather than opening some, but the fact that the filmmaker had the courage to do what few dared to do made executives pay close attention. ?Gus is not the kind of guy who gets intimidated by other people. If anything, you?re intimated by him, he has that sort of quiet internal artistry aspect about him. You never know what he?s going to think up, but that?s his genius,? Damon added.
Lately, the filmmaker had an in-depth luncheon with master storyteller and director, Francis Ford Coppola. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Sant made the pitch of his life to Coppola. Van Sant, who is known amongst the art house circuit for My Own Private Idaho, and Damon?s own Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting, wants to add another film to his list: The Godfather.
Photo provided by Reuters
Van Sant was saddened by the loss of Marlon Brando, and would?ve loved to work with him on this reenactment. Nevertheless, he has always had his eye on one actor: Sean Connery. He says that Connery is not warm to the idea of independent films, and as a result he usually has to be taken off the potential casting list of Van Sant?s material. Sant remarked, ?I?ve always had great admiration for him. I would?ve put him in anything. But there?s this myth that Sean basically ignores that division of film. But now I have a project that he might just be suited for.? Coppola was delighted and thought the casting choice was intelligent. "The pitches Paramount gave me in the 70's were awful."
A Perfect Fit?
The other pitch that Van Sant offered, which received a less enthused response, but ultimately acceptence, was that of Vince Vaughn for Michael Corleone. ?He?s been typecast for some years, but I do think there is an actor there that audiences aren't aware of, judging from his quirks in Psycho. It's about tapping through the mask. It?s a wildcard, but some of the biggest talents in the history of film had been wildcards,? Coppola felt. Van Sant, who has stayed good friends with Vaughn, has always promised to team up again.
More production photos and the exclusive interview on next page.
Van Sant, who was behind the provocative reworking of Alfred Hitchcock?s Psycho, was intrigued when he overheard their conversation. Damon says that they had always respected Van Sant regarding Psycho, acknowledging that even the best of talents have their off days. Damon commented, ?I understood Gus. If Psycho had been my ticket in before Good Will, you bet your ass I would?ve taken it.? Laughing, Damon continued, ?The only thing is, I?m a genius, and so today I wouldn?t take the ticket. But Gus is the kind of guy who needs to take in some of the genius from others. That?s why Casey and I did Gerry.?
Van Sant took over the conversation around the campfire. According to Damon, Van Sant noted how many film classics never quite fit the bill for him and he felt he could re-shoot them with the benefits of modern film techniques. ?He?s much more akin to the modern day possibilities than the filmmaking restrictions of the 50?s, 60?s, and to some extent, 70?s. Nowadays directors can do a lot with editing, and that wasn?t possible back then.?
Van Sant has said that he doesn?t regret Psycho, and it has afforded him many possibilities ever since. One would think it would?ve closed more doors rather than opening some, but the fact that the filmmaker had the courage to do what few dared to do made executives pay close attention. ?Gus is not the kind of guy who gets intimidated by other people. If anything, you?re intimated by him, he has that sort of quiet internal artistry aspect about him. You never know what he?s going to think up, but that?s his genius,? Damon added.
Lately, the filmmaker had an in-depth luncheon with master storyteller and director, Francis Ford Coppola. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Van Sant made the pitch of his life to Coppola. Van Sant, who is known amongst the art house circuit for My Own Private Idaho, and Damon?s own Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting, wants to add another film to his list: The Godfather.
Photo provided by Reuters
Van Sant was saddened by the loss of Marlon Brando, and would?ve loved to work with him on this reenactment. Nevertheless, he has always had his eye on one actor: Sean Connery. He says that Connery is not warm to the idea of independent films, and as a result he usually has to be taken off the potential casting list of Van Sant?s material. Sant remarked, ?I?ve always had great admiration for him. I would?ve put him in anything. But there?s this myth that Sean basically ignores that division of film. But now I have a project that he might just be suited for.? Coppola was delighted and thought the casting choice was intelligent. "The pitches Paramount gave me in the 70's were awful."
A Perfect Fit?
The other pitch that Van Sant offered, which received a less enthused response, but ultimately acceptence, was that of Vince Vaughn for Michael Corleone. ?He?s been typecast for some years, but I do think there is an actor there that audiences aren't aware of, judging from his quirks in Psycho. It's about tapping through the mask. It?s a wildcard, but some of the biggest talents in the history of film had been wildcards,? Coppola felt. Van Sant, who has stayed good friends with Vaughn, has always promised to team up again.
More production photos and the exclusive interview on next page.
