David Cronenberg attended the Marrakech Film Festival in Morocco this weekend and reflected on his career during a Q&A session (per Variety). At one point, he touched on his decision to decline directing 1983’s ‘Flashdance,’ a move he believes was crucial for the film’s success.
The director, who already had success in the field with hits like ‘Rabid’ and ‘The Brood’ at the time, shared, “You might be amazed [that producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer] were totally convinced that I was the right one to direct. Really, I don’t know why [they] thought I should do it, and finally I had to say no – I said to them, ‘I will destroy your movie if I direct it!’”
After Cronenberg turned down the offer, Simpson and Bruckheimer approached Brian DePalma, but he also passed, choosing to direct ‘Scarface’ instead. The part eventually went to Adrian Lyne, who had a background in television. Following ‘Flashdance,’ Lyne worked on other successful films, including ‘9 1/2 Weeks,’ ‘Fatal Attraction,’ and ‘Indecent Proposal,’ as well.
That year, Cronenberg released ‘Videodrome’ and ‘The Dead Zone,’ both of which helped define the body of horror genre and set the stage for his future projects like ‘The Fly,’ ‘Dead Ringers,’ and ‘Naked Lunch.’
About his film style, the filmmaker said, “[My work has been] attacked for being horrible, decadent, and depraved. All of which are good things. I called myself the Baron of Blood. But at least I didn’t say I was the King – I was very modest.”
David Cronenberg last helmed ‘The Shrouds’ and appeared on screen as Dr. Kovich on ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ from its third to its final season earlier this year.
