Hes directed hit movies, hes produced them, hes written books, and hes also been penning screenplays.
For Kenneth BranaghsCinderellamovie, and for the upcomingRogue One: A Star Wars Story.
AsCinderellaarrives on disc, he spared us some time for a chat…
In the interviews leading up toCinderellas release, you talked a lot about the genesis of the film.
That a project that youd sunk so much into, across two directors, was finding such an audience?
Definitely not ambivalent to it!
I had a really good time on the film, but I was done on it.
And then when people actually liked it?
Thats why you make it in the first place.
Id forgotten that people would see it, so it was a wonderful feeling.
An 8-ball of an ego boost, really.
It was incredibly gratifying, because its really hard to make a film even that people hate.
Ad content continues below
Thats true.
Although there are people trying.
A really wonderful feeling, this movie coming out.
It definitely felt like an unknown aunt had died and left me a fortune!
Wed met before actually, on a different project that didnt come to happen, unfortunately.
Ken was interested in directing that, so wed met before.
He clearly didnt think I smelt, and that I was a reasonable human being!
We got along very well.
During shooting, and when it comes time to figure out things that needed to be done with ADR.
I was in very deep into the post-production schedule, and that was terrific.
He is an incredible collaborator, a store of energy and enthusiasm.
What I look for in films for my kids is something beyond a surrogate babysitter.
I like them to be saying something, whether they pick up on it or not.
I wanted to be responsible about it.
I always wanted to say some things about resilience.
Cinderella is a great example of someone who doesnt charge into something.
Its about her resolve, her tenacity, and her ability to shine through in very difficult situations.
That meant a lot to me.
That resilience is tremendously important to children.
Here for me was a heroine who really represented the ability to cope with loss in your life.
Without being too deep about, thats what I really wanted to get across in the movie.
Weve come through a summer where filmmakers and directors in particular are now eulogised or vilified.
Speculating on why Id become so fat and tired looking.
And so thats where it starts.
In a general sense youve got to figure out what it is that youre after doing yourself.
The problem is that movies are such a public medium.
Which is to say you need an audience, and its an incredibly expensive business.
Worrying about audience reaction?
Those sort of things infiltrate into the process at every single stage.
Its very challenging to maintain a singular notion of what youre doing.
Its easy the degree to which even tiny details are held against people.
The high heels inJurassic World, for instance.
It was said that it was unrealistic to make a movie about a woman running in high heels.
And yet she happened to be being chased by a dinosaur!
Its tough to maintain an individual point of view.
Does it get easier with time?
Well, I dont read reviews now.
When I read a bad review, it hurts me deeply.
And thats a pity.
WithCinderella, you could stay on the project right the way through.
How does the mechanic alter when youre working onStar Wars?
Do you deliver the script, and thats pretty much that?
If youre working onStar Warstoo, youre psyched because of what it is.
One last question then before were out of time do you have a favourite Jason Statham movie?
Every Jason Statham film is my favourite Jason Statham film.
Thats surely the best Statham-esque response!
Chris Weitz, thank you very much!
Cinderellais available now on DVD, Blu-ray and on-demand services.Star Wars: Rogue Oneis released in December 2016.
