Steven Spielberg is one of the most loved and respected directors in Hollywood. He has worked with actors who are renowned throughout the industry and his influence is one that many would fawn over. From Jaws to The Color Purple, his movies are both loved by fans and critically acclaimed. Due to all of this, his reputation is one filled with a great many accolades as well.
Spielberg has not only worked on his own movies but also on others. Not only has he influenced others to make their own movies but he has also given out hope to many others by releasing their own dreams into the world in the most visualistic way possible. Even Martin Campbell was grateful to him.
Martin Campbell Rejected Catherine-Zeta Jones Movie Two Times
Martin Campbell, who has previously worked with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale as well as Ryan Reynolds in Green Lantern, was offered The Mask of Zorro. The movie was not one that Campbell was interested in at first. His hesitation towards the film came from those who wrote it, Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio. As per Slash Film, he rejected the movie thrice before he couldn’t anymore.
“With Zorro, the script wasn’t good. Robert Rodriguez, I replaced him, because I don’t think [producer] Steven Spielberg and he got on that well. I’m not sure what the background of it was. I came in and thought the script was just not good enough. I said no. They asked me a second time. I said no.”
Campbell had always had the utmost respect for Steven Spielberg and that also helped him in deciding whether or not Antonio Banderas’s movie was a good idea for him. Before he got into the picture, it was Robert Rodrigues who was in line to direct the film. However, it would seem that he did not get along well with Spielberg. This paved the way for Campbell.
Steven Spielberg Convinced Martin Campbell to Direct The Mask of Zorro
Nothing seemed to convince Martin Campbell to direct The Mask of Zorro. He seemed to be too uninterested in the film and the only way he did was because of his love for Steven Spielberg. According to Slash Film, the director got a call from him and it was because of how much of an influence Spielberg had on him that he agreed to do the film.
“I went back to the office and my phone rang. It was Spielberg, who blew smoke up my a**. At that time, and I still am, very impressed with Steven. So, I opted to do it, and very reluctantly. It turned out okay.”
Although at first he was hesitant towards making the movie, he soon came to learn that he quite enjoyed that experience. He even regarded Zorro to be one of the first superheroes. The entire experience had been unique and fun for him, despite the time and budgetary restrictions before him.
Source: Slash Film
