Director Stephen Gaghan not too long ago shared new insights into the tragic demise of actor Heath Ledger on Malcolm Gladwell’s ‘Improvement Hell’ podcast.
Gaghan revealed that Ledger had a script for his movie ‘Blink: The Energy of Considering With out Considering’ with him when he handed away. Ledger’s father referred to as Gaghan to tell him of the information.
“They have been there with the physique, and our script was on the mattress with him, and his guide was on the bedside desk. I believe my quantity was within the script, type of written down. These guys, as you possibly can think about, are in shock and so they dialed that quantity, and I do not know why,” Gaghan recounted.
Gaghan was on the airport together with his spouse, Minnie Mortimer, when he acquired the decision.
“I actually collapsed, one thing that had by no means occurred to me earlier than or since. My ft gave out. I actually sat down as a result of I assumed, ‘What?’,” he stated.
“I actually should not have been a part of the emotion, of what was happening, in any means and but as a human being or as somebody who simply cares, I simply stood there, listened, and my spouse checked out me.
“I keep in mind her face, and I used to be speechless. I simply listened and listened and listened. It was very, very unhappy. And it is nonetheless unhappy. For me, I simply needed to put a pin in it.”
Did Ledger’s demise cease any potential initiatives?
Ledger’s demise additionally had a profound influence on Gaghan’s movie venture. Your complete function was meant for Ledger, and his passing introduced the venture to a halt.
“I grew to become very, very near him immediately. I had an actual reference to him that was one thing uncommon and actually particular to me.”
Gaghan thought of Leonardo DiCaprio for the function, however in the end determined to drop the movie.
“I received very excited and began to see him as the principle character. As soon as I began watching that, I could not cease watching it, and clearly in a means it was very delicate. Leo is completely cool. I imply, clearly, he is received a thousand choices, however in my view, it was an enormous downside,” he concluded.