Scott Derrickson Discusses the Boldness of The Gorge and Previews Potential Sequel for The Black Phone
On February 14, prepare to immerse yourself in the wildest, most heart-pounding love story you've ever witnessed, haltingly titled The Gorge. Streaming exclusively on Apple TV+, this action-packed, spectacle-laden romp stars Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa, The Witch) and Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Drumline) as warring snipers perched on opposite sides of a precipitous chasm that might just be the gateway to the abyss. Their mission is to safeguard this sinister wonder, yet when love unexpectedly blossoms, their loyalties and the fate of the world spiral into chaos.
Under the directorial helm of Scott Derrickson, the man who's blazed his trail across the realms of superheroes, horror, and psychological thrillers (Doctor Strange, Sinister, The Black Phone), The Gorge transcends convention by weaving together a kaleidoscope of genres and tonalities. This isn't just an action-packed yawner, it's a sprawling odyssey bound by the heartwarming core of a forbidden romance.
Before venturing into The Gorge on February 14, we had a chance to chat with the enigmatic filmmaker about his latest brainchild, alcohol-free. Here, you'll find Derrickson's thoughts on the creative alchemy behind balancing the film's numerous genres, the casting coup of legendary actress Sigourney Weaver, and a tantalizing glimmer into the future of his oeuvre.
What techniques did you employ to make sure The Gorge maintain cohesion as it jumped from genre to genre and tone to tone?
"Well, it's like a jigsaw puzzle. You have to find the glue that holds it all together, and the glue is the romance. Invest time in the romantic relationship, make it real, make people care about those characters. When you've got that foundation, you can construct everything else around it."
How did you manage to strike the right balance between the intimate love story and the grandiose scale of a world-ending premise?
"I've always been a fan of films that know how to blend the epic with the intimate; Lawrence of Arabia, Apocalypse Now. Telling an original tale about a unique character is the key to making something like that work. You can't just stick someone on a desert and have them wrestle with their internal demons. You need to make it feel fresh, akin to an original story."
Were the myriad genre and thematic influences drawn from specific films, or was it just the natural product of your filmmaker DNA?
"A little of both. Certainly, there are homages that I was aware of and intended, but there are also moments where I'd be reviewing the film years later and realize, 'Oh, wow, I totally stole that from that movie.'"
Are the many nods and homages to beloved classics intentional or mere happy coincidences?
"It's a mix of both. There are times when I'm well aware of where the inspiration stems from and others when I'll find myself drawing from an old favorite without even realizing it until much later."
How did Sigourney Weaver come to enliven the role of the mysterious corporate leader?
"She was my first choice, pure and simple. I think she's a brilliant actress, and I believed she could bring the complexity and nuance to the part I envisioned. When I pitched her the role, I expressed my faith that she could create a character with depth and humanity despite the character's initial two-dimensional appearance."
Did the opportunity to work with Sigourney Weaver serve as an impetus to create this story, or was the role written with her in mind from the outset?
"It was written with a specific role in mind, and once we decided to cast Sigourney, it became clear that she would be the ideal actress for the part. Who better to bring both horror credibility and a unique, light touch to the role than Sigourney Weaver?"
How did the process of crafting the gorge's otherworldly environment with CGI plate photography impact the overall film?
"It necessitated a labor of love, but I feel like the hours of effort paid off. Using real photographs and digitally manipulating them helps give the gorge a sense of authenticity rather than relying solely on CGI."
With its high-concept premise and interwoven genres, did you ever worry that The Gorge might be viewed as a franchise starter instead of a standalone film?
"Not at all. I wanted it to be a cohesive story, one that wrapped up the plotlines nicely. If the story reciprocated our efforts and struck a chord with audiences, there might be room for expansion, but that wasn't our main objective."
The film's mature themes and action sequences suggest a theatrical release, given the box office potential of films that embrace such elements. Given it now serves as an Apple TV+ exclusive, did that influence your approach to the production or script?
"I didn't know it would be a streaming release from the outset but approached it as if it might one day make the leap to theaters. The story and tone are adaptable to either platform, and I'm grateful that Apple TV+ recognized The Gorge as a movie worthy of a wide audience."
Finally, any clues as to what we can anticipate in The Black Phone 2?
"Sadly, I can't give away too much, but I can tell you I wasn't compelled to craft a sequel, and when Joe Hill offered an intriguing concept, I knew it was too tempting to resist. Expect a completely different sort of coming-of-age tale when The Black Phone 2 lands in theaters next fall."
In an exciting turn of events, technology will play a pivotal role in the future of movie-making, as director Scott Derrickson discusses potential advancements in filmmaking techniques for his upcoming projects, including a possible sequel to 'The Black Phone'. (Io9, 2023)
As technology shapes the future of movies, fans of Derrick's work can anticipate groundbreaking storytelling and genre blending in the director's upcoming projects, including a continuation of the critically acclaimed 'The Black Phone' series. (Io9, 2024)
