Producer and actor Jeff Bridges says that involvement of authors can do wonders to adaptations on screen. He is now working on a fantasy film, Seventh Son, which is loosely inspired by the novel The Spook’s Apprentice
The Giver is about a fictional world where there is no conflict, racism or sickness. Can such a society be a fact in today’s day and ageIJ
I was looking for some material to direct my father and I wanted to do something that my kids could watch. I was looking through children’s books and saw this wonderful cover of the book. So I got that book and read it. Just fell in love with its story. I was expecting it to be a children’s book, but the book was so good. This is going to be a true example for my life. It is such a feel good story. Yes, we can follow this in today’s life.
A fictional setup gives you an edge to go unquestioned as there is no reference point. Do you think such stories give you more freedom to experimentIJ
When you are dealing with fantasy and myth story, to get the return is important. To able to embrace the fantastic parts and still make it real and then to satisfy the fans who love the book so much is great. I have a feeling that keeps running to me, to make this project.
Often, adaptations are accused of falling short of recreating the same charisma as the book. Do you think it is fair to compare them bothIJ And do you anticipate such a reaction from the audienceIJ
I have spent a number of years trying to develop the project that went through numerous incarnations with a variety of directors and screenwriters. Because it was such a successful book, I thought this will be a movie that will be easy to get made, but that proved not true. More than 15 years ago, a company where producer Nikki Silver was working owned the rights to the property. Silver and I began to develop and nurture the project together and tenaciously kept it alive. It has been a long journey for all of us. We have been in touch with the author lois lowry, over the years. She loved our vision and stayed with us. We know it is a prized children’s literature and everyone loved and respected the material. We have stepped up the challenge and I am confident of a good audience reaction.
Have you read lois lowry’s novelIJ If yes, what according to you will connect with the audience the way the book didIJ
The motion picture adaptation of The Giver represents the fulfillment of my 20 year long dream. I was looking through a catalogue of children books and I came across this wonderful cover of a book, with this old, grizzled kind of guy on the cover. I was expecting to read a children’s book, but on an adult level it worked so well, and I thought this was going to be a terrific project for my father to be involved in.
I went as far as shooting, with my own video camera, an entire movie in which I directed my father in the character of The Giver, along with my nephew in the role of Jonas.
Daniel Day lewis in his acceptance speech at the Academy Awards joked that he is relieved Meryl Streep is not one of the nominees in the best actor category. Is she that intimidating to work withIJ
Not at all. She has been fantastic. And very cooperative. She shot some of scenes of The Giver in England where she was shooting another movie and then came over to shoot in Cape Town.
If you are made the keeper of everyone’s memories for real, whose memory will you preserve closely and whyIJ
Every memory is special. I would look it that way
Hollywood banks heavily on novels to look for story inspirations. WhyIJ
Frankly, it is not completely true. The book adaptations are very challenging. The involvement of the author is also key. Once director Phillip Noyce was on board, the dialogue started with lowry. She couldn’t have been more generous and understanding. I was very apprehensive because the book has such a following, but lois was very excited that it was being made into a movie. Whenever we would hit a snag, we would email her and she had the answer.
You recently said in an interview that Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr used to brainstorm lines on the spot for Iron Man. So are you implying that the concept of bound script don’t apply to hit superhero franchisesIJ
Bound scripts do work. But for a superhero film like Iron Man, things go beyond. Brainstorming is fun.
What are your other projects apart from The GiverIJ
I am excited about the forthcoming fantasy film, Seventh Son, loosely inspired by the novel The Spook’s Apprentice (titled The last Apprentice in America). The story centers around Tom Ward, a seventh son of a seventh son, and his adventures as the apprentice of the Spook.