Caffeinated Clint
One of the year’s biggest hits was undoubtedly “Salt”, the adrenaline-charged spy thriller headlined by Angelina Jolie and directed by seasoned action-film director Phillip Noyce (“Clear and Present Danger”, “Patriot Games”). CLINT MORRIS caught up with Mr Noyce to discuss the film’s DVD and Blu-ray release, which features two alternate cuts of the movie, out this month.
Hi Phil, what goodies can we find on the “Salt” Blu-ray and DVD?
Given that Kurt Wimmer’s screenplay was built around the concept that while on the run and trying to prove her innocence, Everlyn Salt would constantly juggle remembered fragments from her life as a spy,there was always going to be a mountain of alternative material that wouldn’t fit into the theatrical version.
The Director’s cut extended version represents my own personal take on the material,free from the politics and restrictions of producers,studio or censorship ratings.The ending of this version suggests that the real aim of the KGB sleeper spy cell was to install one of their own into the highest possible position of power in America.
There’s also a third cut of the movie,with an entirely different ending to each of the other 2 versions.
With a need for content that cannot easily be pirated and will also encourage consumers back into the increasingly empty DVD stores,the studios are now eager to embrace all the alternatives that a director can conjure up. That’s good news for consumers and great for directors like myself,who no longer need to agonize over material left on the cutting room floor.
Great stuff. Where have you been hiding since the film came out?
Those other 2 versions of Salt took up a lot of extra editing time,with alternate VFX,music,sound mixing and commentaries.
I’ve also been in Australia,working on our bid to host the Soccer World Cup of 2022.
How did you get involved in that?
A German ad agency asked me to direct a short animated film, conceived and scripted by them as one small part of the Australian bid.The jury’s out on whether that irreverent animation helped Australia’s failed bid,but there is no doubt that Qatar’s winning invitation to unite East and West thru a soccer ball was irresistible to the 22 aging FIFA voters, who in early December chose them as the 2022 host country.Not many of the voters could ignore the utterly compelling suggestion that in bringing the world’s most popular sporting contest to the Middle East, football’s custodians might succeed where generations of politicians have failed.
Indeed. And now that you’ve done that, are you onto “Salt 2”?
Those 3 Blu-ray cuts represent just about everything I have to offer on Everlyn Salt.If there ever is a sequel, better its directed by someone with a completely fresh take on what I believe could be a totally entertaining and complex series of stories.
OK, so with no “Salt 2” in your future, that obviously frees up room for some new projects. What are you currently working on?
Christopher Hampton, of Atonement fame, is currently in negotiations to rework the Dirt Music script, with Russell Crowe confirmed to play singer/song writer Luther Fox.Its a film about the transporting power of love and music.
I’m also working with Salt producer Sunil Perkash and writer Bill Kelly (Enchanted) on another romantic drama called “Timeless”, being financed by Relativity.
But my most anticipated love story is the birth of baby daughter Ayanda,due to join us all on January 22nd 2011.
Congrats mate!
SALT is out on DVD and Blu-ray December 22
