Jeff Bridges on Iron Man: "They had no script"

[Jason California]

http://incontention.com/?p=18384




"They had no script, man. They had an outline. We would show up for big scenes every day and we wouldn't know what we were going to say. We would have to go into our trailer and work on this scene and call up writers on the phone, 'You got any ideas?' Meanwhile the crew is tapping their foot on the stage waiting for us to come on."
Bridges, director Jon Favreau (http://io9.com/tag/jonfavreau/) and Robert Downey Jr. (http://io9.com/tag/robertdowneyjr/) would literally act out sequences during primitive rehearsals, Downey taking on Bridges's role and vice versa, to find and essentially improvise their way to full scenes, the actor recounts. Bridges says that the entire production was probably saved by the improv prowess of the film's director and star.
"You've got the suits from Marvel in the trailer with us saying, 'No, you wouldn't say that,'" Bridges continued. "You would think with a $200 million movie you'd have the shit together, but it was just the opposite. And the reason for that is because they get ahead of themselves. They have a release date before the script."

[Kirblar]

I guess this makes it a good thing that Downey's involved with the scripting of IM2.

[Ryan Elliott]

Shit...

[Matt Jay]

Yikes. It's amazing it turned out as well as it did. Hopefully they had a script for the next one.

[evilgenius]

Maybe it turned out so good BECAUSE they didn't have a script. Just winging it seems to work best in most cases when it comes to movies! Just look at Heath Ledger's performance..

[maverick-99]

This happens more than you'd think

[Joe Kalicki]

I believe it.

[Jason California]

Maybe it turned out so good BECAUSE they didn't have a script. Just winging it seems to work best in most cases when it comes to movies! Just look at Heath Ledger's performance..


Or Colbert and Stewart during the strike.

[mattbrand]

Maybe it turned out so good BECAUSE they didn't have a script. Just winging it seems to work best in most cases when it comes to movies! Just look at Heath Ledger's performance..

Most of the golden dialog between Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in Empire was the same way.

[NeverWanderer]

Hunh! Strangely enough, I think that actually helped the movie. Everything felt very spontaneous a genuine, which was really refreshing. I'm sure only that cast could have pulled it off, though.

Kinda reminds me of what I've heard of Doug Liman's directing of The Bourne Identity. He was so resistant to the rigid structure of filming, and it ended up being the looser style that really appealed to me.

[Darthdaw37]

thats nuts, I can't tell if thats meant to be a positive comment or not

[Ryudo]

Hey, ya know, if it turned out that well with no script, who can fault them?

It is my second-favorite superhero movie behind TDK.

[mattbrand]

Hey, ya know, if it turned out that well with no script, who can fault them?

It is my second-favorite superhero movie behind TDK.

Me too.

[TIP]

I came on the script when I intended it to be Fav's feet.

Hence, no script.

[TheKraken]

Maybe it turned out so good BECAUSE they didn't have a script. Just winging it seems to work best in most cases when it comes to movies! Just look at Heath Ledger's performance..

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. All those conversations that felt realistic and natural? I suppose it's because they were...

[Ryudo]

Me too.

You, sir, have excellent taste.

[Zac Goyette]

Movie making in the Marvel Method.

[mattbrand]

You, sir, have excellent taste.

*high five*

[Mister Mets]

That's crazy considering Marvel's financial risk at the time.

Glad everything worked out despite this.

[The Dean]

As an actor, that's got to be frustrating...

[bartleby]

As an actor, that's got to be frustrating...

Actors don't sign up for something like IRON MAN to push themselves with their craft, especially when they do so without reading a screenplay beforehand.

[Brian Defferding]

The film was a resounding success and universally loved, so I guess their unscripted, fly-by-the-seat-of-the-pants method worked.

[Doug]

Movie making in the Marvel Method.

:)

[yeamon]

I sure hope they don't screw the second one up with something as absurd as a script.

[costello]

Well, I can learn a lot by how he dealt with it.

[Spidey616]

Movie making in the Marvel Method.

Stan Lee would be proud :D

[CapnChaos]

Surprising it worked out so well. Sounds almost like the way they do some stuff for The Office. Still came out to be a great movie. Way better than when this happened to Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

[Fygar]

This happens more than you'd think

Both Pirates 2 and 3 were like this (no big shock to anyone) and so was Wild Hogs (even less of a shock).

[bartleby]

Both Pirates 2 and 3 were like this (no big shock to anyone) and so was Wild Hogs (even less of a shock).

Same with X-MEN. David Hayter was credited as the screenwriter for the movie, because he was working as an assistant or something to Bryan Singer and transcribed what was being shot, and his notes became the screenplay.

[MIKE D]

I think this was the case with the first Burton Batman, and man does it show.

[Criden]

That's pretty weird. I didn't get that impression from the movie at all.

[tom daylight]

Actors don't sign up for something like IRON MAN to push themselves with their craft, especially when they do so without reading a screenplay beforehand.

And yet in these circumstances they get more control in the development of their characters. Hence pushing themselves with their craft more than they would have done with a script...

[Kurt Russell Crowe]

hmmm...I guess that doesn't bode well for writers, who are already treated like less than scum by hollywood...

[Blue Flash]

I guess pre-production time is being curtailed so severely, and in general, so much time is being afforded for post-production, that I wonder if key plot moments that didn't make it during production don't get fixed by ADR and reshoots later on.

I'm willing to be Brannagh focuses more on script and performance, and that perhaps even Favreau and co. have had more time to hash out a solid script given how well the first film did.

[Blue Flash]

x2 post.

[RickLM]

It works, except for the times when it doesn't. And when it doesn't, the critics say things like "nonsensical action flick". I think Marvel got really lucky that things worked out. And Bridges is probably right about the debut date driving everything, because it seems like the next batch of films are being rushed as well.

[NickT]

Maybe it turned out so good BECAUSE they didn't have a script. Just winging it seems to work best in most cases when it comes to movies! Just look at Heath Ledger's performance..
All they need is some singing, and it's the closest we have to the Road To... movies :)

[leafinsectman]

I know it worked out in the end but wow, that's crazy. Before it came out (or right after) I think I read about Bridges being a little upset about the others doing improvisational stuff but I didn't think that they had no script. They did a hell of a job making it work because it felt really natural to me but with other movies where they have not so great actors its fucking horrible to watch.

[RickLM]

And if Pirates 2 and 3 were indeed part of the new "improv action" trend, that alone should be enough to kill the genre forever. Those movies made zero sense.

[Dan-C]

Not new news. Favereau basically said this when the first movie was released. Although, if I recall, he made it seem like they at least had a script that they weren't following.


I guess pre-production time is being curtailed so severely, and in general, so much time is being afforded for post-production, that I wonder if key plot moments that didn't make it during production don't get fixed by ADR and reshoots later on.


I think this is what caused a lot of problems with the final act of Transformers 2

[Fygar]

That's pretty weird. I didn't get that impression from the movie at all.

Neither did I. The only scene I can think of that feels off the cuff would be the one between Downey Jr. and Paltrow where she has to remove his heart thing. I fucking love that scene by the way.

[BENDIS!]

yeah, uh, watch the dvd extras. you can see us all with the script.

[Kirblar]

There's a difference between not having a script and not following one.

[bartleby]

yeah, uh, watch the dvd extras. you can see us all with the script.

If they can make the Iron Man armor look real, I'm sure they can CGI some stacks of paper into your hands.



:)

[leafinsectman]

yeah, uh, watch the dvd extras. you can see us all with the script.

Maybe they threw it out after your meeting? ;)

Or Bridges just felt like there was no script because of all the improv shit. Whatever, I wasn't there and the movie was great anyway.

[Tim Simmons]

Yeah, I'm gonna go ahead and call bullshit on that.
I've seen countless versions of the script.

That, and you don't have DPs, VFX guys, riggers, ADs, etc just sitting around on a huge budget movie like Iron Man and winging it.
It's not a Cassavetes movie.

I don't know if the quote was taken out of context-- or if there was a lot of improv through the takes-- maybe that's what he was implying...but I'm gonna go ahead and say: Yes. There was/is a script.

[Jonathan Callan]

I take this with a grain of salt. Not in the least because it seems to clash with RDJ's comments.

[Run-BMC]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4154001795_af4854d27c_o.jpg

[Jonathan Callan]

Same with X-MEN. David Hayter was credited as the screenwriter for the movie, because he was working as an assistant or something to Bryan Singer and transcribed what was being shot, and his notes became the screenplay.

The story I heard Hayter tell was that he was Singer's driver/assistant and said, "Oh man, you know what I'd do with an X-Men movie..." and Singer told him to write up his ideas and that's how he got the job. I've never heard that the movie was improved on set.

[silverboy]

And it turned out fucking great.

[greg donovan]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2536/4154001795_af4854d27c_o.jpg

off topic:

i think it is fucking awesome that one of those guys has been on Hannah Montana and the other one is a recurring character on Wizards of Waverly Place.

[Stupendous Man]

Wow. That's pretty impressive. I just re-watched this last night. I definitely think it helped, there were some really loose authentic performances in that movie. Let's hope there's more of the same for the sequel.

[tom daylight]

Maybe they pretended they didn't have a script just to annoy Jeff Bridges.

[SMACK!]

I'm scared for the sequel. I mean, Brian saw it and didn't comment about whether it was good or not, but he gushed about Thor a tweet later. I hope it's not the case.

[Patch]

I dunno, guys. Bridges has been acting since he was 9 years old and has made over 60 movies-- he's probably right about this in some regard or another.

In other words, are you calling The Dude a liar?!?

[SMACK!]

The Dude abides, but apparently he doesn't improv.

[Pat Loika]

The script is not the issue here dude!

[Ryan Elliott]

I'm scared for the sequel. I mean, Brian saw it and didn't comment about whether it was good or not, but he gushed about Thor a tweet later. I hope it's not the case.


Yeah, but he also said to not ask him ANYTHING about it. He was sworn to secrecy.

[Pat Shatner]

the script is not the issue here dude!
hah!

[Taxman]

"You would think with a $200 million movie you'd have the shit together, but it was just the opposite. And the reason for that is because they get ahead of themselves. They have a release date before the script."My thinking has been for a while now that a number of $200 million movies were made without scripts.

[c. page]

The script is not the issue here dude!

that script really tied the room together, did it not?

[David Aspmo]

Script pee-ers did not do this.

[Jason California]

So do you believe Bridges or Bendis? Whose side are you on?

[The Human Target]

Is that why all his character says is cliche generic villain crap in an evil voice?

Now I like the movie, but Stane suuuuuucked.

[Patch]

So do you believe Bridges or Bendis? Whose side are you on?

I believe both of them.

[c. page]

I believe both of them.

you think there was a script, but nobody bothered to give it to bridges?

[Patch]

you think there was a script, but nobody bothered to give it to bridges?

:)

[Jason California]

you think there was a script, but nobody bothered to give it to bridges?


That would be a great on set running Joke.

[Patch]

Okay, I imagine there was a script but parts of it didn't appeal to someone or there were too many chefs in the kitchen and some parts didn't gel.
Shit, this sometimes happens in comics, not hard to picture it happening with all the people involved in making a film.

But, I wasn't there, so, as the Avett Brothers sing "We love to talk on things we don’t know about."

[NeverWanderer]

Posting the rest of that section of the interview, because I think it'll shed some context and tone over what he's saying:



“Jon dealt with it so well,” Bridges continues. “It freaked me out. I was very anxious. I like to be prepared. I like to know my lines, man, that’s my school. Very prepared. That was very irritating, and then I just made this adjustment. It happens in movies a lot where something’s rubbing against your fur and it’s not feeling right, but it’s just the way it is. You can spend a lot of energy bitching about that or you can figure out how you’re going to do it, how you’re going to play this hand you’ve been dealt. What you can control is how you perceive things and your thinking about it. So I said, ‘Oh, what we’re doing here, we’re making a $200 million student film. We’re all just fuckin’ around! We’re playin’. Oh, great!’ That took all the pressure off. ‘Oh, just jam, man, just play.’ And it turned out great!”

Bridges says those “suits” keep telling him, “It’s just a comic book. Maybe we’ll bring you back.”

[SMACK!]

Yeah, but he also said to not ask him ANYTHING about it. He was sworn to secrecy.
I'm just saying, if he thought it was good, he'd at least let us know. I'm sure that his nondisclosure doesn't forbid him saying that the movie is "good".

[Ryan Elliott]

I'm just saying, if he thought it was good, he'd at least let us know. I'm sure that his nondisclosure doesn't forbid him saying that the movie is "good".


That's probably Bendis just being fucking weird and "mysterious." :)

[SMACK!]

That's probably Bendis just being fucking weird and "mysterious." :)
I hope you are right. I adore the first movie and want the second to be just as good.

[RickLM]

My thinking has been for a while now that a number of $200 million movies were made without scripts.


Frees up the budget for more explosions.

[Ryan Elliott]

I hope you are right. I adore the first movie and want the second to be just as good.


I'm sure it will be. Same cast(with the addition of a few GREAT actors), same crew, different story that seems to have some real weight to it, creators that really care about the source material. Enough to gather the current creators OF that source material once again.

Ingredients for success. Just like the first one.

[Corwin: Bear Fighter]

The script is not the issue here dude!

I believe "screenplay" is the preferred nomenclature, dude.

[bartleby]

But, I wasn't there, so, as the Avett Brothers sing "We love to talk on things we don’t know about."

This musical endorsement was made possible by a grant from the bartleby Foundation (http://606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?p=4835147).

[Big McLargeHuge]

Man, actors have to be the most aggravating people on the planet.

[SMACK!]

I'm sure it will be. Same cast(with the addition of a few GREAT actors), same crew, different story that seems to have some real weight to it, creators that really care about the source material. Enough to gather the current creators OF that source material once again.

Ingredients for success. Just like the first one.
Spiderman 3 had the same actors, same writers and same director, and it was a disaster. Nothing is ever a foregone conclusion.

But Brian saw it again (lucky bastard), so that must be an indication that he liked it.

[Taxman]

If you sign a to be in a movie without reading the script first, you really aren't in much of a position to complain about it later.