Behind the scenes of the sci-fi drama starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner.
I thought that was such a poetic, strong and beautiful story.
And you read the short story first before any screenplay?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I was introduced to the short story first, and I read it.
For me, it was a major priority.
I wanted the aliens to fell like a new experience.
I wanted the Heptapod to be as far away from human beings as possible.
Actually, the spaceships were not described in the short story.
The spaceship presence came from Erics idea.
That was the thing I knew about the Heptapods, they had seven legs.
Besides that, I was totally free.
Its a flying object andits name is Haumea.
To me, the aliens look almost like two arms coming down from God in the heavens above.
Im not sure if anyone else pointed out that resemblance.
Both aliens when theyre side by side, they look like both hands.
That was one of the ideas.
I was saying to myself, How can I keep the tension high?
How can I see to it the audience stays on edge?
Its interesting how much more you get out of the movie seeing it second or even third viewing.
I was at the Q n A last night for the very first time.
I had never watched the movie with an audience.
When people are talking aboutArrival, its like theyre talking to me about a dream that I had.
(chuckles) Its very strange.
I was not at the premieres in Venice or Toronto or Telluride.
The movie opened everywhere, so its just like Im witnessing that from a Space Station.
Its one of those movies where seeing it with an audience and seeing the tension thats created is great.
Yeah, Im very grateful to the studio.
They took care and that was my strong recommendation to attempt to keep the secret alive.
How are things going withBlade Runner?
Have you actually finished shooting or are you still shooting?
The shooting is finished, weve wrapped.
Last time I spoke to you, you hadnt even begun.
Has it been tough to make a movie thats a sequel to such a well-loved film?
No, no, of course.
It was a very intense shooting, but very rewarding at the same time.
The thing is that Im not necessarily allowed to talk about that project.
(chuckles) Im sorry Im being boring, but I cannot say a lot about that project.
Im just wondering where it was at when you came on board.
I feel like Ridleys been talking about making the movie for a number of years.
Did you have time to develop the screenplay with him?
Yeah, the thing is that movies evolve all the time.
The screenplay evolved as we went through the process.
Any idea when we might see the first teaser or trailer?
Will it be this year or next year?
That I cannot tell you, unfortunately.
I apologize for this.
I promised that I will not talk about the project.
Is it true that you might do another movie with Jake Gyllenhaal?
Is that down the road or your next movie?
Oh, yes, yes.
Arrivalis still playing in theaters across the country.
