‘Drive’ Director Talks ‘Drive 2,’ ‘Logan’s Run,’ & Not Directing ‘Doctor Who’
Jan 27, 2012 by Ben Moore‘Drive’ director, Nicolas Winding Refn, talks the possibility of a ‘Drive 2,’ remaking ‘Logan’s Run,’ and being passed over for directing an episode of ‘Doctor Who.’
Despite being criminally snubbed this year with regard to Oscar nominations, Drive was easily one of the most critically-acclaimed and talked about films of 2011 (it was, in fact, Screen Rant’s favorite film).
Oscar nominations or no, there’s little doubt that director Nicolas Winding Refn will go onto bigger and better things as a result. In a recent interview, he talked about the success of Drive, the chances of him making Drive 2 (hint: they’re a whole lot better than zero), remaking Logan’s Run, and being passed over to direct an episode of Doctor Who.
On the success of Drive, courtesy of Short List, Nicolas Refn said:
“I’m just so sick of talking about ‘Drive.’ […] You’re always happy with the success. But I’ve talked about this movie extensively for more than a year, so that’s it. I don’t know what else I can add [at this point].”
On whether or not Ryan Gosling is Robert De Niro to Refn’s Martin Scorcese, now that they’re working on their second and (soon to be) third movies together:
“Well, yeah, it just feels right. Ryan and I are very similar. On ‘Drive’ I was living with Carey [Mulligan] because she had no place to stay, and Ryan would always come over and hang out. So it was very communal in that sense.”
Drive was based on a book by the same name. The sequel to that book, Driven, not to be confused with one of the worst Sylvester Stallone films of all time, is coming out this spring.
On whether or not Refn would be interested in adapting Driven into a live-action sequel to the 2011 Drive, he said:
“Well, I think that… hmm. Let me just say that I haven’t made up my mind yet. Stranger things have happened…”
When Drive initially came out, some ruminated that the ending – SPOILER ALERT – implied that the main character, simply known as ‘the driver,’ was in the process of dying in the final moments of the film.
Not longer after, Nicolas Refn himself came out and essentially put the kibosh on such an interpretation, saying:
“Well, all my films always have open endings. All of them. Because I believe art is always best when…you talk about it and think about it [and] so forth. Maybe once in awhile I’ve gone too far, but I always believe in finding the right balance. And in ‘Drive’ he lives on for more and new adventures.”
So it’s obvious that the idea of a sequel has been on Refn’s mind for some time. And who doesn’t want to see Ryan Gosling produce more psychopathic sweat droplets in between acts of terrible, gut-wrenching violence?
In 2007, Nicolas Refn directed an episode of BBC’s Miss Marple series – based on the Agatha Christie series of books – entitled ‘Marple: Nemesis.’ When asked if there were any other British properties he’d like to work on, Refn said:
“I would have loved to direct Doctor Who but they didn’t want me — they turned me down last year. Maybe if they revive Blake’s 7 I could do that. I love it. It’s great. That could be fun to update.”
Refn also talked – albeit very briefly – about what drew him to the remake of Logan’s Run, which he is in the process of adapting with Ryan Gosling in the lead, saying simply:
“The concept.”
Indeed.
Would you guys be interested in seeing a sequel to Drive? Or was one go-around with that silent psychopath enough for you? Let us know in the comments.
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Drive hits DVD and blu-ray January 30th. When we hear more Only God Forgives, Refn’s next film, and Logan’s Run, we’ll let you know.
Source: Short List
Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.
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why does the picture at the top remind me of Odo?
Well Drive was my favorite film of 2011.
So yeah, if a sequel is made with the same
spirit and approach I definitely want to see it.
I did think the driver lived at the end of Drive
and I was quite surprised some thought not.
Refn was probably surprised at that too.
I completely agree. I would like to see a sequel, as long as it’s approached with the same enthusiasm, and love. most of all, the director, and writer.
I pray to the higher power that the world is never subjected to another “Drive” – a truly truly awful film that NOBODY would be talking about if Gosling and Brooks hadn’t been in it. Blech! Poor story, bad motivations and awful pacing.
Don’t worry all you fans out there, I have also spent plenty of time praying that the Transformers series would come to an end and my wishes have been far from granted.
I can’t agree with you on Driver, however, I do agree with you on the Transformers series. I liked the trilogy, but I strongly believe it should end there. To me it seems like Dream works is just trying make money of the franchise.
I apologize if I gave any impression that I liked any of the Transformers films, the three of them together represent all of the absolute worst aspects of the Hollywood big-budget movie system (whereas Drive represents, although not to the same extent, the problems with indie films – utter failure of character development, horrendous pacing, etc.). While I merely dislike Drive though, I detest with my whole filmwatchign being the Transformers movie.
If I may ask, why do not you like the trilogy?
Also, I apologize for the miss interpreting what you meant. My bad
The Transformers trilogy is emblematic of the major issues in big-studio filmmaking. Much of my complaints you can find in any review for any of the films, but a short list – 1) emphasis on fx over character or plot development; 2) complete disregard for source material (i.e. the Transformers cartoons, arguably the movies are very faithful to the purposes of the toy line); 3) complete over-sexualization of females; 4) just awful dialogue (I think the films were written by a “random one-line generator machine”); 5) no faith that the audience demands anything more than an incoherent spectacle (the trilogy treats its own fans with contempt and alludes that they have no intelligence).
Anyways, I could go on and on, but long posts often go unread. Hopefully, this gives you more insight Xavier.
It was definitely criminal that Drive was snubbed by the Oscars!
Leave well enough alone.
I’m still waiting to see Drive,but I have low expectations for it considering that I didn’t like Refn’s previous two films.
Wow, that was cruel. I really liked the movie, but this was one time it
NEEDED an end.
Please do a sequel to Drive, guys. One of my absolute fav films in a long time! Such a smart and cool flick!
How is Drive “smart?” It was fairly straight forward, not including any unpredictable terms like other modern noir-style films like Memento, L.A. Confidential or Usual Suspects. Just because something is mind-numbingly slow with actors giving purposeful looks to each other does not make an intelligent film. Please do elucidate further, Id appreciate it.
Also Xavier, I have nothing against FX when they are well-used. Sam Raimi and Chris Nolan are two modern examples that you can have memorable big-budget action set pieces while still developing interesting characters, constructing pulse-pounding action sequences, and not act condescending to audience or story.
Even going back to silent film – while Nosferatu’s special effects are stunning for its time, the thing that makes it a movie still relevant today despite only one remake (and one pseudo-remake) is the characters and intelligent directing.