Face/Off can be deemed as the movie that kicked off a chain reaction in the film world. Its impact rippled through the industry, inspiring the Hong Kong thriller Internal Affairs, which, in turn, served as a wellspring of inspiration for Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film, The Departed, which won him an Oscar. What’s even crazier is that Face/Off nearly starred Arnold Schwarzenegger! Thus, Scorsese’s Academy Award can be traced back to this fascinating web of movies and ideas. It’s like a domino effect of creativity in action.
Thanks to Face/Off, Martin Scorsese Could Make The Departed a Reality
While Martin Scorsese’s The Departed draws its origins from the Hong Kong hit Internal Affairs, it’s intriguing to note that the genesis of this thrilling saga can be traced back even further to the sci-fi classic Face/Off. This intricate web of filmmaking showcases how ideas and thoughts can seamlessly transcend genres and cultures.
In essence, Martin Scorsese’s vision for The Departed was made possible by the foundational concepts that were seen in Face/Off. As, if one were to trace from the beginning, Infernal Affairs, delved into a more realistic version of the tale explored in the classic, Face/Off.
Director of the Hong Kong thriller, Andrew Lau thus wanted to steer away from sci-fi elements. And consequently, in his approach, he made the characters exchange only identities and not faces, opting for a subtle yet equally interesting twist, it was then adapted by the American in the form of The Departed.
Face/Off Almost Starred Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Lead!
The iconic 1997 classic Face/Off nearly had a different pair at its helm, with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone initially considered for the lead roles. As it was reported that the script of the movie was prepared by keeping those two in mind.
The prospect of these two legendary actors sharing the screen was especially interesting, given their intense rivalry at the time. Imagining Schwarzenegger and Stallone in the roles that eventually went to Nicholas Cage and John Travolta adds an intriguing layer of what-ifs to the film’s history. The dynamic between these action stars, coupled with the film’s intense plot, would undoubtedly have created an electrifying on-screen chemistry, offering audiences an extra dimension of excitement and anticipation.
