In a recent interview with IESB Louis Leterrier had some interesting things to say about filming "Clash Of The Titans" and more on his short list status for the upcoming Avengers film.
This from IESB...
IESB: What initially made you want to take this on? Was there any hesitation in taking on something that so many people love, and still make it your own?
Louis: The original movie was what drew me to the project. There's a hesitation to do any remake. I think it's very tough to do a remake. I was very afraid of breaking it. You have a beautiful image in your mind of this world, but you were also haunted and it made your childhood exciting. And, you're offered the opportunity to do it again, differently, but you're very afraid of messing it up and breaking it for generations. What I wanted was to make a fun movie, but also if the movie was good enough and the shine was bright enough, it would shine back onto the Ray Harryhausen/Desmond Davis movie. That was part of it. It was, "Here's my interpretation of it, but remember that this all came from my love of this other movie." That's what I tried to do. I didn't accept it right away. It was a tough decision to make. But, it really is the kind of movie I couldn't say no to. Well, I said no to it and then called back the next day and was like, "Yes, let's talk about it." Now, the movie is coming out and I feel like I still haven't said yes.
IESB: Was there a point where you felt, "Yes, I'm on the right track"?
Louis: Never. You don't know. I still don't know if I'm on the right track. I like the movie I've done, but I don't know what people will think. You never know. I did the most genuine movie I could do. I didn't try to make it different for the sake of being different, or pay homage for the sake of it. I was trying to make a movie that was very genuine and that had something real about it. It's the movie I've always wanted to make. There are so many creatures. It has Greek mythology. Being French, I grew up watching movies like this, reading about Greek mythology and being taught about the Greeks in school, so for me, it was natural.
IESB: Were you always thinking about seeing this as more films?
Louis: Yeah, absolutely.
IESB: Is that something you're hoping to direct yourself?
Louis: Oh, yeah. I'd love to. Because it was useful to get a frame, I know where they came from, so I can do prequels. It's almost like Star Wars. We've got prequels and sequels, but I don't call them prequels and sequels. For me, they were just framing. When you work with an actor on a role, sometimes you write a bio of where they came from and where they're going to give them a slice of life. It's such a big world that I had to create the world, from the very beginning to the very end of this. So, it's fun.
IESB: Have you had any serious talks with Marvel about directing The Avengers?
Louis: Yes, we're talking to them. We'll see.
IESB: How likely is that to happen?
Louis: I'm on the short list, but it's a good short list.
IESB: Doesn't it seem like it would be a huge undertaking?
Louis: No, because it's about the human side of it. You have to sit down in a theater and be able to relate to Iron Man or Perseus or The Hulk. It's like concentric circles. You have to feel for these guys and like these guys. As you fall in love with these guys and get to know these people, it's exciting. Same thing for the heroes and the gods. You have to get to know the characters first, and then you can broaden your circle and broaden your stakes.
Click on the link below to read the entire interview.