Industry News

Ridley Scott Reveals He Turned Down $20M to Direct Franchise Sequel: ‘I Can’t Be Bought’

I WON'T BE BACK

The Napoleon and Blade Runner mastermind also discussed his next projects.

Director Ridley Scott, his wife, producer Giannina Facio, and cast members Tahar Rahim and Vanessa Kirby pose during a photocall for the World Premiere of the film "Napoleon"
Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

Directing royalty Ridley Scott said Hasta la vista, baby, to a $20 million fee to work on Terminator 3. The Gladiator visionary, 87, revealed he was “proud” to have snubbed the mammoth contract. “I can’t be bought,” he told The Guardian, despite demanding remuneration to match that of legendary franchise star Arnold Schwarzenegger. “When they said yes, I thought, ‘F--- me.’ But I couldn’t do it. It’s not my thing. It’s like doing a Bond movie.” Incidentally, he said he wouldn’t ever do a Bond movie either, because “I would try to make it real. That’s why they’ve never asked me to do a Bond movie, because I could f--- it up.” Elsewhere in the interview, Scott revealed that Gladiator III was “in process right now” and that there would be an Alien prequel if he gets the right idea for it. He also revealed that his next movie was a project centered on the Battle of Britain, likely focusing on the air defense of the U.K. against Germany during World War II.

Read it at The Guardian