However, most curiously, it was Aronofskys career that provided the most mystery for our assembled journos.
We were still a month away from Foxs official statement on the matter, but things seemed certain.
Youre still attached to the remake ofRoboCop.
How do you feel about remaking a film that is so iconic?
Oh, its unbelievable.
So, it could be exciting.
Would you feel comfortable with somebody remaking your films?
I mean, come on.
How are you going to remakePi?
Do it in colour, and well see what happens.
How do you choose your projects?
Every one was as risky as the last one.
I think thats just because I just want to do something.
I just wanted to try and do something that excites me.
Why do that, though?
Its unfortunate that I go that way, because its not very good on the bank account.
Do you not ever feel like going for a safe bet?
Im very interested in it.
Is that what has attracted you to theWolverinemovie?
I dont know what youre talking about.
Well, were actually doing one, which I cant talk about.
It hasnt really been announced.
I mean, how successful wasKick-Assas a comic book, orScott Pilgrim?
Those were fringe comics, right?
They were popular for comics.
Yeah, but what are you talking about?
100,000?Scott Pilgrim.I didnt even know it.
Its really an underground comic.
It was popular for the community, though.
Going from the larger community of moviegoers to comics readers?
When you work really hard on material, you kinda want to get it out there.
The reasonThe Fountaincomic exists is because, for a long time, we didnt thinkThe Fountainwas going to happen.
And so, I went after an artist, because I wanted to get that vision out there.
Im a storyteller, so I cant tell it in my medium of choice.
So, lets try it another way.
Youre primarily known in some quarters as a very visual director.
Thats my favourite part of the process, working with actors.
And working with Ellen Burstyn onRequiem, that was my biggest thrill.
And that sent me down on a path of really focusing on actors.
How important is Clint Mansell to your filmmaking?
Do you ever visualise scenes with his music in mind?
And I was really excited about what he would do.
And then we came to AIR Studios with an 80 piece orchestra.
Did you attempt to make the ballet your own, in a similar way?
We just went for it.
So, I never knew how I would get into it and wrap my mind around it.
I knew nothing about ballet.
I knew nothing about Tchaikovskys score.
So, how to make it fresh was a big question.
Having worked on this, do you now have an interest in directing a ballet work for the stage?
Chasing money for ballet seems harder than chasing money for a movie.
Did you take a look atThe Company, Robert Altmans film about ballet?
Well, I didnt take a look at it.
I think its a terrible film.
I mean, I think most films about the ballet world, besidesThe Red Shoes, are pretty awful.
Thats not really set in the ballet world.
That just has ballerinas in the back.
It has really nothing to do with ballet.
Everyone was like, Ah!
Youre stealing it from Argento!
Are you concerned with how theyre going to market it?
Or who theyre going to market it to?
It really isnt my problem.
I used to actually care about that stuff, but Ive learned.
I dont make films that are easy to market, unfortunately.
So, I am nervous.
The question is will men like it.
Or will men come?
One aspect of the narrative is the idea of a director pushing a performer towards perfection.
I see that now.
When I was doing the film, it wasnt really on my mind.
I wish I could be as manipulative as Vincents character was.
He was a true master manipulator.
Even Natalie, she hadnt been given a leading role.
But I havent gotten the big A-list actors to sign on.
Whats been the most traumatic experience, then, in terms of actors working on your films?
I dont find it traumatic.
Natalies worked harder for me than anyone, and thats because of the dance.
Its an unbelievable accomplishment, what shes done, physically.
The fact that ninety percent of the dancing on the screen is here.
These dancers train from the age of four, for twenty years, to get to where they are.
Well, Im probably pretty critical of that.
I used to think it was cool, like I think most young film people.
What is the Method when its such a technical job?
Its about make-believing, for a very, very short window.
Like, I think the Method could work when youre stage.
That makes sense to me.
But film is basically little bursts of acting.
Twenty seconds here, 10 seconds there.
To me, it doesnt impress me, actors that do that.
I think its a lot of wasted energy.
If you flash back to 2008, you haveThe Wrestlercoming out alongside TheCurious Case Of Benjamin Button andSlumdog Millionaire.
And right now you haveThe Social web link,127 HoursandBlack Swancoming out in a similar time-frame again.
[Laughs] I guess its unfortunate that I have to be on cycle with Fincher and Danny.
Two of the best living directors.
The three of you are some of the most versatile directors in Hollywood.
Do you look to them as your contemporaries?
I look up to them.
Theyve been making films for a lot longer than me, and incredible movies.
Fincher, hes a real master.
And Boyle as well.
So, the fact that Im in the same sentence with them means a lot to me.
So, thank you.
But Im a big fan.
I saw Finchers film.
I havent seen127 Hours.
I hear its fantastic.
So, I cant wait to see it.
Mr Aronofsky, thank you for your time!
Black Swan is released January 21st.
