Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has helmed many iconic films of the generation. He is the man behind films such as the Indiana Jones franchise, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List. The two-time Oscar nominee has also been vocal about his favorite films and has always considered himself to be a lover of cinema first.
The director has appreciated others’ cinema on multiple occasions. He called Tom Cruise the savior of cinema for his contributions to the theater industry during the pandemic. One film that Spielberg loved, but was still disturbed by, was reportedly Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debut Wind River, which he reportedly saw after its screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
Steven Spielberg Wanted Assurance From Taylor Sheridan’s Film
After finding success as a screenwriter with films such as Sicario and Hell or High Water, Taylor Sheridan wrapped up his American Frontier trilogy with the neo-Western crime film Wind River. The film marked his directorial debut as the former films were helmed by Denis Villeneuve and David McKenzie respectively.
The film was made on an $11 million budget (via The Numbers) and starred Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as two federal agents who investigate a missing child of the Wind River Indian Reservation. Tackling the issue of missing Native Indian children, Sheridan reportedly drew from his own experiences with his time on a Reservation and explored their life.
When the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Sheridan won the Un Certain Regard Best Director Award, and the film was also nominated for Prix Un Certain Regard. The film drew many positive responses, one of which was from Steven Spielberg who reportedly called him up. However, the filmmaker wanted to know if Renner really shot a coyote in the film. Sheridan recounted to Esquire,
I don’t think you did, but I can’t see your homework.
Sheridan reportedly assured Steven Spielberg that no coyotes were harmed during filming and that everything was all safe. Wind River ended up being a commercial success, earning $45 million at the box office (via The Numbers).
Jeremy Renner Was Initially Not Interested In Wind River
While Jeremy Renner has some impressive high-profile films in his roster, Wind River remains one of his best performances to date. The actor plays a US Fish and Wildlife Service Agent who discovers the frozen body of a young tribesperson and sets the events of the Taylor Sheridan film in motion.
However, Renner was reportedly about to take a break from acting when he was offered the role by Taylor Sheridan. The filmmaker mentioned that Renner was tired of high-profile superhero films at the time and needed a break. But, Sheridan convinced him by asking him to read the first ten pages of the script and the filmmaker promised to send a fine bottle after quizzing him first (via Esquire).
Jeremy Renner ended up accepting the role of Cory Lambert and gave a memorable performance. He and Sheridan reunited for the TV series Mayor of Kingstown, which the latter co-created along with Hugh Dillon.
Wind River is streaming on the Roku Channel.
