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1967
1968

I’m Gore Verbinski, director of The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean, and my upcoming film A Cure For Wellness. I am here to answer your questions, AMA! (self.movies)

submitted by Gore_Verbinski

Hi everyone, my name is Gore Verbinski, director of the upcoming movie A Cure For Wellness, in theaters February 17th. You may also know me from The Ring, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Rango. I am here to answer your questions, ask me anything!

https://twitter.com/CureForWellness/status/829419432434741249

More proof: https://i.redd.it/i3dpg2r3zvfy.jpg

Edit:

Thank you for your great questions. It was a lot of fun and please come take the cure this Thursday at a theater near you.

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[–]jgcarugati 318 points319 points  (34 children)

Hello, Gore!

I'm not sure how much you can talk about it, but what happened with your adaptation of "Bioshock?" More importantly, would you harvest or save a Little Sister?

Your visual style would have been perfect for bringing Rapture to life.

Would you kindly answer my question? Thank you!

[–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 476 points477 points  (14 children)

Well it's no short answer to that question but we were eight weeks prior shooting when the plug was pulled. It's an R rated movie. I wanted to keep it R rated, I felt like that would be appropriate, and it's an expensive movie. It's a massive world we're creating and it's not a world we can simply go to locations to shoot. "A Cure For Wellness", we were able to really utilize a variety of location to create the world. "Bioshock" it wouldn't work like that, we'd be building an entire underworld universe. So I think the combination of the price tag and the rating, universal just didn't feel comfortable ultimately. At that time also there were some R rated, expensive R rated movies that were not working. So I think things have changed and maybe there will be another chance, but it's very difficult when you're eight weeks away from shooting a movie you really can see in your head and you've almost filmed the entire thing, so emotionally you're right at that transition from architect to becoming a contractor and that will be a difficult place to get back to.

[–]trebud69 103 points104 points  (1 child)

I need a Bioshock movie in my life. The cinematic quality alone is enough to be filmed.

[–]danceswithronin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man a Bioshock movie would be so fantastic, the setting alone would be unreal.

[–]RedditConsciousness 79 points80 points  (3 children)

universal just didn't feel comfortable ultimately.

They blew it there IMO.

[–]Pjoernrachzarck 44 points45 points  (1 child)

You'd need to get all fans of the franchise into the cinema, plus a couple of millions extra, to see an r-rated movie called Bioshock.

As much as everyone agrees that a Verbinski Bioshock might have been great, and that Rapture is a great setting for stories, that's a super risky business and in all likelihood Universal was right not to invest the money.

Gamers always believe that when you have a property with an established fan base, it's guaranteed money. But this has never been the case.

I believe that when there's a dispute between money and artists then it's better to let it be than to create something that's a compromise.

[–]RedditConsciousness 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Oh I'm not saying it would be a guaranteed financial success, just that it would be good artistically and that might pay dividends in the long run.

I believe that when there's a dispute between money and artists then it's better to let it be than to create something that's a compromise.

Sometimes that is true.

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    [–]2th 12 points13 points  (1 child)

    But would you harvest or save the Little Sisters? Are you a monster or a savior?

    [–]Bloopdog 8 points9 points  (0 children)

    Still keeping my hopes up!

    [–]jgcarugati 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Thank you for the reply! Sad to hear it, but that's the movie biz.

    [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    That's a shame, because like the OP said, I think your visual style would be perfect for a Bioshock movie. Hopefully we can hold out for an HBO series on it!

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      [–]QuinineGlow 73 points74 points  (0 children)

      Apparently he was a stickler for the R-rating, and the studio wasn't.

      Makes you wonder if the 'Deadpool-effect' will help make more popular properties be able to come out with hard-R's in the future.

      ...but, that said, if he was ever planning on actually making a film of the events of the first Bioshock game it's for the best the project ended up... scuttled. It almost certainly couldn't be filmed in a way to do the game justice, and the entire thesis of the first game depends on having a person controlling the character for proper effect.

      [–]cronedog 34 points35 points  (16 children)

      Ken Levine said he killed the project, but I don't recall if that was after Verbinski left.

      I think Verbinski would've done a great job. The ring is, by far, the best pg13 horror film.

      [–][deleted] 34 points35 points  (2 children)

      It's PG- 13? Jesus, I always thought it was R.

      [–]cronedog 24 points25 points  (0 children)

      I know, right. It's super effective but not actually very explicit.

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        [–]denizenKRIM 8 points9 points  (0 children)

        Yep, Ken canned it after the replacement director and stipulations offered was not to his liking. He was all-aboard for Verbinski.

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          [–]SawRub 6 points7 points  (0 children)

          There are not many people I would trust to do Bioshock, but Gore's style seems really well suited to adapting it well.

          [–]TimecopVsPredator 339 points340 points  (19 children)

          Are we ever gonna get a sequel to Rango?

          [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 426 points427 points  (7 children)

          I don't think so. I think that we put everything we possibly could into Rango and I guess you never say never, but I would like to go back into animation again. But try something completely different.

          [–]RedditConsciousness 198 points199 points  (4 children)

          I think audiences need to respect this sort of position more. We complain about "sequelitis" so when someone says 'I've achieved my vision here and I don't have more to say at this time in that world' we should respond with 'thank you for your wonderful work, I look forward to what you will create next'.

          [–]idiotdidntdoit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          I really liked that in Rango the inciting incident literally happened as he was acting out a scene in his terrarium calling for an inciting incident. I've used that first scene to illustrate the concept to screenwriter students.

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            [–][deleted] 225 points226 points  (5 children)

            Rango Unchained, perhaps?

            [–]UncleverAccountName 161 points162 points  (2 children)

            Little known fact: Rango actually cut his hand at one point in the movie but continued acting.

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              [–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (3 children)

              /r/rango

              [–]ChickenInASuit 20 points21 points  (2 children)

              Missed a trick there by not calling it /r/ango.

              [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

              Yeah...

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                [–]Akihirohowlett 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                You're asking the important question.

                [–]Foxprowl 103 points104 points  (4 children)

                What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

                :3

                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 217 points218 points  (3 children)

                Unfortunately I'm spending my entire day in interviews but I'm looking forward to getting home and seeing if the roses are still alive.

                [–]Foxprowl 35 points36 points  (0 children)

                Awwww...well Happy Valentine's Day!

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                  [–][deleted] 138 points139 points  (9 children)

                  Hello sir!

                  Was there any anxiety when directing the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie, as the movie was loosely based on a ride at Disneyland?

                  Also, thank you for directing Mouse Hunt, one of my favorite movies <3

                  [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 165 points166 points  (8 children)

                  Thank you Peach-e-Keen. I mean I think that there's something really enjoyable and slightly perverse about being told you shouldn't do something. I suppose that goes back to everything sort of everything seditious and sense of anarchy, but really when people say you shouldn't make a pirate movie, they haven't worked in 30 years. It just makes you lean into it that much more when they say you don't have to make an animated movie. That's something that you just get more excited about it and certainly in the case for A Cure for Wellness where we're sort of going into a landscape that people aren't making movies like this anymore and I think the more the data says don't do it the more interesting it becomes, and thank you for liking Mousehunt.

                  [–]bestbiff 15 points16 points  (5 children)

                  To kind of follow up on the previous question about anxiety around filming Pirates: I heard that Johnny Depp's version of Captain Jack was not what was in the script, (being flamboyant and whatnot), and the producers were worried he was doing his own thing too much and would ruin the movie. Is there any truth to that?

                  [–]KingCantona777 10 points11 points  (4 children)

                  In the special features the writers talk about Jack being written with Hugh Jackman in mind. So much less flamboyant. Also Depp says that pirates were the 'rockstars' of their era so thats why he drew his influences from Keith Richards.

                  [–]Spire 17 points18 points  (2 children)

                  In the special features the writers talk about Jack being written with Hugh Jackman in mind. So much less flamboyant.

                  You mean this Hugh Jackman?

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                      [–]ChuckEye 87 points88 points  (3 children)

                      If Mousehunt could share the same cinematic universe as any of your other films, which would it be?

                      [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 80 points81 points  (2 children)

                      That's a really good question. I think when I was making that film I was very much into Brewster McCloud and Harold and Maude and things like that. There's no reason you couldn't blend that with A Cure for Wellness and Rango as well. Good question. I’m not quite sure.

                      [–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                      The weather man?

                      [–]Grifter42 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                      People don't fuck with you if you carry around a bow and arrow.

                      [–][deleted] 81 points82 points  (12 children)

                      With the upcoming Clue project you are attached to, do you intend to attempt to recapture the unique charm of the original film, or make it more akin to one of your horror or adventure projects?

                      The film's always been a mainstay of my family, and I'm curious how you intend to approach a remake of the cult classic.

                      [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 191 points192 points  (5 children)

                      Well, that's clearly misinformation because I have nothing to do with that project. That must be something you've heard on the Internet, but u/Duck-You-Sucker, I love that movie and I love your handle.

                      [–][deleted] 59 points60 points  (3 children)

                      All apologies Mr. Verbinski. It is on your Wikipedia page with a citation from Variety, so you might want to assign an agent to get on top of that!

                      [–][deleted] 28 points29 points  (2 children)

                      Or maybe that's just what he WANTS us think

                      [–][deleted] 34 points35 points  (1 child)

                      Wikipedia is just a red herring.

                      [–]persamedia 16 points17 points  (0 children)

                      Its the FIRST CLUE!

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                        [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                        Family Guy's excellent parody of that genre kinda spoiled it for me.

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                          [–]AllocatedData 58 points59 points  (8 children)

                          What was the inspiration for A Cure For Wellness?

                          [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 148 points149 points  (7 children)

                          The writer Justin Haythe and I spent quite a bit of time talking about this idea that maybe there is an ancient place, a place of wellness that is sort in the alps, in the clouds looking down on modern man and has been observing mankind go through the industrial revolution and our obsession with personal computers and cell phones and sort of offering a diagnoses, and we are both fans of Thomas Mann's novel The Magic Mountain and all things HP Lovecraft, and so we designed the film as sort of a summoning of Dane DeHaan’s character Lockhart and sort of this place and started to realize we're firmly rooted in the genre and everything kind of evolved from there

                          [–]TriscuitCracker 10 points11 points  (0 children)

                          How did you pitch this if you don't mind my asking? And did it partially get made because you're a big name (well deserved)? Trailer reminds me of "Road to Wellville" mixed with "Shutter Island". Looking forward to it, you don't see enough of this kind of thing.

                          [–]Pjoernrachzarck 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                          Oh my god, if Cure For Wellness is a lovecraftian adaptation of Mann's novel, that would be wonderful.

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                            [–]nunobelmar13 41 points42 points  (1 child)

                            Hey Gore! Huge fan, and A Cure for Wellness seems intriguingly epic.

                            About Pirates of the Caribbean-- I may be wrong, but I'm assuming you must've had some sort of involvement with Dead Men Tell No Tales, even if just knowing the story. I'd like to know your opinion about where the Pirates series is heading, considering that the last one performed worst (critically speaking) and was target of a fair amount of criticism.

                            Will the next film be bringing back some of the darkness that was there in the first one? Thanks and have a great day!

                            [–]c4ptainepic 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                            I would love to see a reply for this one

                            [–]Louisville117 55 points56 points  (6 children)

                            I'm a film major right now trying to make movies one day and I absolutely love your work. Are there any techniques or lessons you learned that you could tell me about?

                            [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 267 points268 points  (5 children)

                            I would say my one piece of advice would just to always be shooting. Just 'ABS', as we say. There's no reason not to. You're never going to have the perfect set of circumstances. You're never going to be in an ideal situation with the right script or the right cast or the right budget, so you might as well get used to it. Grab your phone, grab your friends, tell a story, chuck it in the trash, tell another one. Chuck it in the trash if you don't like it. If you like it, put it out there. Just that waiting and thinking that you're waiting for some sort of conduit or some access point to become a filmmaker. You are a filmmaker. Just take that to heart.

                            [–]Louisville117 64 points65 points  (0 children)

                            Wow, that was a really cool answer and very inspiring during this time in my life. Thank you so much for responding I'll always remember this.

                            [–]RedditConsciousness 25 points26 points  (2 children)

                            I've now cast Alec Baldwin in the role of Gore Verbinski in the Gore Verbinski story.

                            [–]postdarwin 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                            Too late, we've just wrapped production on it.

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                                [–]MuffynCrumbs[🍰] 37 points38 points  (2 children)

                                If you could be one character from one of your movies, who'd it be?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 77 points78 points  (1 child)

                                Wow, that's a really good one. As soon as I answer this question, it's going to be the wrong answer. Today I'm going to go with Rango the chameleon because he gets to be many things.

                                That's sort of like the question that is like if you could have any wish what would it be for and you would say many wishes.

                                [–]MuffynCrumbs[🍰] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                Thanks for answering!! Excited to see your new movie :)

                                [–]RunnerPakhet 43 points44 points  (2 children)

                                Hello Gore,

                                I have to say, that I absolutely love your work on Pirates and Rango and most of all I enjoy your keen eye for CGI. I have heard you spent a lot of time working with the animators in both projects - more then a lot of other directors would do. So first of all I just want to voice my respect for that. The first three pirates movies are still a technical marvel when it comes to the special effects.

                                Second I also want to say how much I love the more realistic style in sets and characters, when it comes to a very simple thing: Dirt. I saw in all your movies (and it seems to be true for A Cure for Wellness, too, judging by the trailer) that the sets and characters get dirty instead of seeming unbelievebel clean. Not overly dirty but the right amount.

                                But now to my question, as it is something I recently discussed with my boyfriend, when watching the PotC trilogy:

                                What scene(s) where the hardest to cut (be it for length or other reason) for any of your movies? Are there some, that you would today put back into the movie, rather then some other scene that made the final cut?

                                [–][deleted] 17 points18 points  (1 child)

                                Dirt.

                                especially in Rango! :D

                                ah? ah?? get it? because Dirt is the town

                                [–]cnigro94 16 points17 points  (0 children)

                                I got a jar of diiiirt. I got a jar of diiiiiirt.

                                [–]The_Dizzy_Crow 23 points24 points  (2 children)

                                Thematically, all your films seem to have variety. When you started out as an aspiring filmmaker, did you want to tackle all different genres for the challenge or did you have some sort of common goal about what you wanted your films to accomplish?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 31 points32 points  (1 child)

                                That's a good question. For me personally there's no distant viewpoint, or perspective on my career. There's more of a can you find the answer to the question why do I have to tell this story. You certainly don't want to be 40 days into an 80 days shoot and have lost your grip on the steering wheel, so for me it's really working on a narrative and getting to a place where it's like I'm gonna make this movie, and people say they ask me about world creation and world creation is a byproduct of the narrative, I never really think about the world in front of the narrative in the same way I don't really think of my career holistically it's really about the story that is in front of you.

                                [–]The_Dizzy_Crow 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                Thank you for your response. You certainly have a concise vision and your ability to convince the fat cats who endorse your vision is remarkable. I will always spread your movies to people I know because they know your style. I know your idea of visual storytelling won't always be what sells, but hell, it makes people like myself want to be like you. Kudos for being ambitious.

                                [–]Breaking-Lost 24 points25 points  (6 children)

                                Hey Gore, Who is your favorite currently living director?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 111 points112 points  (5 children)

                                I can't answer that one because I have too many director friends. That would have to be like a top ten list or something. I'm going to bow away from that question, but they are out there. There's a lot of great directors right now. I will say that I think my favorite film last year was a film called The Lobster.

                                [–]cronedog 13 points14 points  (4 children)

                                How about favorite deceased director?

                                [–]Breaking-Lost 9 points10 points  (3 children)

                                Fully respect that answer, thank you for responding

                                [–]ten_inch_pianist 32 points33 points  (2 children)

                                You responded to the wrong guy.

                                [–][deleted] 41 points42 points  (1 child)

                                Pirates 1-3 was astounding, utterly fantastic cinema. Did you have any issue with continuation past the original trilogy? How do you feel about the new films?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 78 points79 points  (0 children)

                                Well, it was really fun to do the three movies and certainly the first movie, there was a real sense of the unknown as we approached the narrative and Johnny's performance and the tone of the film. I certainly think one of the scariest moments in my career was filming the second and third Pirates movie back to back and at some point realizing that we were no longer making the studio nervous and I think when that happens you start to get nervous yourself because you're quite used to telling stories that maybe are operating on that boundary of the unknown and I think that sense of this thing could go off the rails at any moment is such a beautiful place to be and when people start becoming familiar with how things work or what an audience likes or the sense that your movie needs to make 300 million dollars at the box office to be considered successful, suddenly you find yourself wearing a lot more baggage than you intended. I felt like it was a tremendous opportunity and one of the greatest joys of my life to direct the first three films and I certainly think that audiences that want to continue to enjoy the adventures of Jack Sparrow should absolutely have that opportunity. But for me as a growth as a director and trying to do things that I'm not sure I can do, once you become comfortable with something, I think it's time to move on.

                                [–]Siranov349 6 points7 points  (0 children)

                                The original Pirates trilogy are by far my favourite movies of all time and i was wondering how you acheived the intertwining between the movies. Like was jack's line in the first movie "and then they made me their cheif" planned for the second movie or used as the idea for the natives scene?

                                [–]ShanghaiKelly 20 points21 points  (1 child)

                                The cinematography looks incredible in the trailer. How was it working with Bazelli again and would you say this is one of yours and his best shot films to date?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

                                Bojan and I have a really interesting relationship that goes back many, many years. I was scouting this location. The film was very much sort of a reboot for me. I mean, I went to Germany without any of my crew and this is certainly a cast I've never worked with before and we hired a location German crew and we had a production design from the UK, Eve Stewart, and so a lot of new faces and I just, after scouting and coming up with the basic composition of the film, I really felt like I was missing my partner in the process. So, Bojan came in late, but because we have a shorthand, he was able to adapt and adjust. I do think that because we're dealing with something that's sort of unfamiliar or certainly not based on a theme park ride or a video game or a toy or a graphic novel, we're able to sort of open up the visual language a bit. I enjoyed that process.

                                [–]nugs1992 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                Hello Gore! I was rewatching The Ring a few days ago and I'm still amazed how well it holds up. Terrifying while also having this sad undertone of the daughter and the story behind the video. What was it like knowing that Ringu already existed and paying respect/homage while doing your own thing?

                                [–]loepark 12 points13 points  (1 child)

                                Hello Mr. Verbinski! I am a huge fan of your movies and I was wondering how long the rough cut of At World's End was. Also have you thought about doing another animated film?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 31 points32 points  (0 children)

                                Yes I've been slow cooking an animated film idea that is probably still too early to talk about. I wouldn't even call it a genre. It's a form of storytelling that I look forward to getting back into. I come in and on all movies we look at what I we call the editors assembly when I come into the edit room and then begin cutting together the movie the way I intended. I actually don't remember. I'm sure it was very epic.

                                [–]captaincous 9 points10 points  (2 children)

                                Hey, Gore! I'm a young filmmaker here in Texas trying to get some traction in making movies with almost no budget. When you were just getting started, what was your greatest challenge in getting your first couple features made and how did you overcome it?

                                By the way, A Cure for Wellness looks stunning, I can't wait to go see it!

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 20 points21 points  (1 child)

                                u/captaincous, thank you for your question. Well, for me, it was a different time. I think music videos were sort of exploding. I had just come out of film school and realized I wasn't going to be directing right off the bat, so I had to make a good cappuccino and was a really hard working production assistant, but also playing in bands. So, I would start shooting music videos. Super 8, really low budget music videos with local bands on the Los Angeles scene and that led to more and more music videos and eventually some commercials and that was my path into my first movie. When Steven Spielberg saw my commercial reel and asked me to come and take a look at Mouse Hunt and see if that was something I was interested in. I think that these days, more and more often you're seeing the transition happen through writing. So, I would recommend just getting a camera and getting some friends together and just telling stories and not being nervous about if they suck or not. Just tell them and the more you do it, the better you're going to get at it.

                                [–]captaincous 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                Thank you very much, I'm taking it to heart!! See you around.

                                [–]Viperbunny 12 points13 points  (2 children)

                                What to you believe is the key to making a story that is truly frightening for the viewer?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 34 points35 points  (1 child)

                                Well I think it's really important when the curtain closes you've tapped into some contemporary fear. It's very easy to sort of dismiss a movie as an experience that is outside of your world or outside of the realm of your existence, and I think if we can tap into some contemporary issue, the film tends to linger or stay with you. With a film like "The Ring" I believe that that film came out after 9/11 and there was a lot of, the film was very much about the sort of transferable nature of hatred, and in order to save yourself you're making a copy of this videotape and making sure somebody else watches it, and I think we were dealing with a real palpable sense of what did I do to deserve this, why me, and that sort of horror of terrorism it doesn't really go after the culprit, it goes after it's seemingly random in it's approach, and for A Cure For Wellness we're sort of talking about what is it that is about this sort of increasingly rational world we live in. What makes us pray to say the pharmaceutical industry or the kale smoothie. If I were to ask you are you sleeping well or do your feet hurt and some point you're going to be like that's right, I have that thing. So what is underneath that in the sense that we want to be diagnosed. We must know in our heart of hearts that something isn't right or some sort of denial, and I think as a society we understand history and we're aware of it and we can't seem to turn a wheel and that's a specific horror, and "A Cure For Wellness" being about this start of diagnoses of modern man and it's kind of the cure being worse than the disease, and hopefully days after seeing the movie you're still feeling the side effects.

                                [–]Viperbunny 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Thank you so much for your response. The Ring is a horror movie that stills gets me and I am 30!

                                [–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                                Hey, Gore! Do you think that your start in punk videos has influenced your later work as a director?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

                                Yeah, I think there's a spirit to that music that is sort of pushing against the forces of homogenization and I think that's something that is important to me. I love a great story when it's told from a singular person. When we're sitting around a campfire and you hear the voice of one person telling you the narrative, as opposed to a committee or some process that has diluted it. I like an Egg McMuffin, but I don't want to make one and I think there's a spirit to that energy where we're sort of cooking up a kind of goat's head soup if you will, and we're looking for the more adventurous eater.

                                [–]madladder 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                1.How did Johny Depp develop the character for Jack Sparrow?

                                2.Would he stay in character when the cameras weren't rolling?

                                3.Lastly would he actually drink or get drunk for his role?

                                [–]nailbiter111 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                Have you ever been offered a superhero movie? And if so, why didn't you direct it? Plus, is there a superhero property that you would like to direct?

                                [–]korny12345 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                Thanks for scaring the shit out of me as a kid with The Ring. Was one of my first horror movies and lost plenty of sleep over it, been a fan of the genre ever since.

                                [–]liamquane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                What is your screenwriting process like, do you plan methodically or just jump straight in?

                                [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                I absolutely love The Lone Ranger and have noticed that it has acquired a vocal fanbase over the years despite it debuting to mixed reviews. Do you think that sometimes critics don't "get" your movies the first time they see them, and if you do, why do think that is?

                                [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                I have been a big fan since the MouseHunt days, and have always appreciated your ability to get a great physicality out of your actors in terms of visual gags and exaggerated antics. Would love to know your influences in this regard, in terms of filmmakers or films that inspire you! And just to tack this onto the other question- do you have any tips for aspiring filmmakers based on your experiences in the industry, especially early on?

                                [–]Trionoutr/Movies Veteran 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Yo gore, how come all sequels other directors make of your films suck? Are you just too based?

                                BTW love Rango

                                [–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                On a personal level, what are some of your favorite films?

                                [–]tstormredditor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Ever going to release another album with Mr. Brett?

                                [–]trash-juice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Haven't been frightened by a movie since Alien the way 'The Ring' socked me in the gut. How did you decide to match the elements from the trilogy with those creepy movement effects as well as the slippery shadows?

                                [–]goreverbinski 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                No I am.

                                [–]mayrut 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                                We love your work as a Filmmaker Gore! I found your version of 'The Ring' better than the original Japanese version. Will you get back to horror films anytime?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

                                Yes. Come see A Cure for Wellness.

                                [–]TheLordofM00 1 point2 points  (1 child)

                                How was it working with an actor like Jason Isaacs?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                I called Jason Mr. Delicious because I find him to be so overwhelmingly captivating. It was very important on A Cure for Wellness that we had almost a cult of personality. The great doctor, somebody who could convince you to take any treatment and I think that comes from a sense of cost to healing these people. In the same way, we respect a figure of great authority and their ability to maybe make complex things feel simple. It was very important to get Jason, for me, to play Volmer because I think as he sort of puts his hand on your knee and asks you, "When was the last time you felt well?", there's a con going on there and there has to be a real sense of confidence in that performance. Jason was just perfect for the role and we became great friends and talked at length about the performance. It becomes a very unique relationship, that actor/director relationship, and each actor has a different process.

                                [–]Guy-brush 0 points1 point  (2 children)

                                Hey Gore, big fan of your work! It was crazy for our town of Hechingen when you shot parts of "a cure for wellness" in the Hohenzollern castle.

                                What did you find so interesting in the "Burg" that made you chose it for your film? How did you and your team experience the time in Hechingen? Anything in particular stood out?

                                Cheers and looking forward to the 23.02 release of cure for wellness!

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                We wanted to have a sense that this place is a place with the past and a sense of history and sort of watch the metastasizing disorder of mankind from its high perch in the alps and I searched the castles all over Europe. I was in Austria, and Prague, Romania, and all over Germany and Switzerland, and the castle Hohenzollern just felt like the perfect place for us, plus we're leaving a kind of rectilinear world and arriving into the world of dreams and a world of nightmares in a sort of strange dream logic in that circular driveway on the way up was something I really wanted to use. The first time I saw it I was fascinated by that. We just had a great time shooting there. We stayed in Tübingen I have to give a shout out to Claudia and Frank at the hotel in Tübingen who really took care of us and our entire stay there was where we became a family I think, where the crew and the cast united. A lot of the film was a road show. The castle worked well as an exterior but didn't work so well as the interior. We went just outside of Berlin and found an old hospital that became the interior. When we needed a swimming pool we traveled to Zwickau and found an old pool over the tile, and the tile sort of matched the tile of our interior, and we're sort of putting together all these disparate pieces to make you feel like in the film you're arriving at one place, but the castle will always be a special experience because I think it's where the crew became a family.

                                [–]romulan23 2 points3 points  (2 children)

                                Hello sir! Nice to see you here. I admire your work and your movies are a visual treat. After having seen recent footage of your most recent film I wish to have your eye for beautiful shot composition. This leads me to ask you what appeals to you the most when it comes to shot composition?

                                Have a wonderful day and keep up the amazing work. I wish you the best for you and your upcoming projects.

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                                Thank you very much for the question. It's a sort of an answer that is kind of narrative specific. For A Cure For Wellness we were dabbling with the idea that there was some invisible force, some sickness in everything, in the frames and the protagonist is in denial, but the film itself isn't. The film is that sort of cancer that is always present and growing, so composition as a form of conveying intent, conveying a sense that there is a reason behind it or underneath everything and it becomes specific or something slightly overt and a voice in the narrative. We try to put a sickness, or a sense of sickness into everything. In the sound track we recorded strange wheezing breaths and we would slow them down and change the pitch and use them as room tones, or bury them in the steam and similarly the way the camera moves had to have a sense of knowing and looming even though the protagonist is unaware.

                                [–]VictorBlimpmuscle 0 points1 point  (1 child)

                                Considering your start/background as a musician, have you ever considered scoring one of your own films?

                                [–]Gore_Verbinski[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                Absolutely not because I have such a wonderful opportunity to work with composers and musicians that are so much better than I am. In the same way that I really enjoy writing and working on the structure of a movie when it comes to the actual wordsmithery. I'm the type of person who circles a sentence in Moby Dick or whatever novel I'm reading, recently The Magic Mountain, Thomas Mann, and you really appreciate the construction of a great sentence. In the same way, I can discuss music openly and specifically regarding a scene and everything from instrumentation to key to time signature and to the emotion of it, but when it comes down to actually writing the notes, performing the tune, I really love that I get to work with these people who are so much more talented than I could ever be at their job.

                                [–]trippingmau5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Which current directors do you have a lot of respect for? Which past directors?

                                I'm super excited for your new movie and will most likely see it either Friday or saturday

                                [–]skylerolson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

                                Is there any novel/comic book/story etc. you would like to adapt but haven't had the chance yet?

                                [–]beastmodebarbie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Have you ever watched a movie and thought, I could have made this such a better film? If so, what movie?

                                [–]bfk94 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Are there any actors in particular you'd like to work with in the future?

                                [–]Maninhartsford 0 points1 point  (1 child)

                                Is it true that Jack Sparrow was supposed to be a serious character and Johnny Depp just showed up and started playing him comedically? If true, how did you adjust to that as a director? Was there a lot of on-set rewrites to accommodate his performance?

                                [–]Oddsbod 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                Jack still does have a lot of dramatic moments tbf, like the 'people aren't cargo' scene, and his overall character arc in 1-3 leading up to the climax of World's End.

                                [–]JustJaking 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I absolutely love your Pirates of the Caribbean films. I know that the second and third were filmed back to back to them easier to produce and to film using the same people - is this also easier for you as a director? Or is it difficult to be working on two separate projects at one when both are so different in tone and scale?

                                [–]mcbogart 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I don't really have a question as much more of a comment. I think your greatest film is The Weather Man - a truly underappreciated film. Nicolas Cage and Michael Caine are great in that film. Also, I watched the movie with my mother and she finally learned what camel toe meant. So thanks for that.

                                Edit - I have a question: What is it like working with Brian Cox? I love that guy

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                do you have any tips on getting a project produced nowadays?

                                [–]Pizzajam 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hello Mr. Verbinski: If you could work with any other musician on a soundtrack for a movie, who would it be?

                                (loved Rango)

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How did you go from The Ritual to Mousehunt?

                                [–]patrickc11 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Can you talk a little about the process of the troubled Lone Ranger shoot and how you reacted to the initial response? I just want you to know that despite the negative reviews, there is a large group of people that see that film as the masterpiece it is.

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What was it like taking control of your first big budget film?

                                [–]TheLordofM00 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What director in particular inspired you to become a filmmaker?

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Do you have any advice for interacting with studio heads? It comes across as a scary thing to do. lol,

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Do you have any tv shows you're watching these days that you've become a fan of?

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How much time do you get to think on set as a director? Does the AD help?

                                [–]ImBoredButAndTired 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hello, I'm just wondering are there any movies you enjoy that would be considered surprising given your position as a film director?

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How do you get to keep making r rated movies in the age of superheroes and Lego?

                                [–]BradyDowd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Don't have a question at the moment. Just really excited for A Cure For Wellness. Those eels really creep the hell out of me.

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What is your favorite film?

                                [–]Embryofilet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Is there a chance you will come back and direct Pirates 6? Why did you leave in the first place? Pirates 1-3 is my favorite movie trilogy, because it got the adventure and Jack Sparrow just right. How do you feel about the 4th one?

                                [–]darthdog876 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What's your favourite movie?

                                [–]Breaking-Lost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What was your favorite movie released in 2016?

                                [–]Cam_Burglar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                In the trailer for A cure to wellness when Lockhart flicks on the lighter, were you trying to steal pay homage to something from Shutter Island?

                                [–]Kevbot1000 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How do you feel about the direction the pirates series has taken? Also when will we see a sequel to Mouse Hunt?

                                [–]liamquane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What is it like working with Jerry Bruckheimer?

                                [–]lridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I know that Johnny Depp wanted Jack Sparrow to have a blue nose that was stitched back on.

                                Did you have any ideas for the sequels or The Lone Ranger that were considered too "out there"?

                                [–]Pavlinator 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                With your name being Gore and the fact that you made an iconic horror movie , do people often try to use your name as a pun when jokingly talking to you? For example : Of course the ring has gore in it the creator hast it in his name !

                                [–]TheCarrier89 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Is there any chance at all of getting a Bioshock movie at some point? When you were attached to direct and it looked like it was happening I was so excited for it. Maybe if A Cure For Wellness does well it might re open the possibility of getting a big budget, R rated Bioshock movie off the ground.

                                [–]PapaMikeRomeo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                One of the things I've always appreciated about you as a filmmaker is the attention to detail in the set pieces and props. From Mousehunt to Rango, these worlds feel so fully realized and become a character amongst themselves (one of the many reasons I'm always left wanting for your Bioshock film).

                                My questions is where do you and your team draw influence and inspiration, and even research for these elements, and any stories of a particular set piece or design that stood out for you.

                                [–]thezeffgod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                From what I pick up from the trailer this seems like an episode of Black Mirror if you haven't heard of it definitely watch it but yes basically it is a modern day Twilight Zone also can you please make Rango 2?

                                [–]confusedlabrador 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi Gore! Pirates of the Caribbean was my childhood and helped me meet my best friend in middle school. Thank you for bringing it to life.

                                What, in your opinion, is the most challenging aspect of directing the horror genre?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What do you think of the horror films of 2016?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                One of my favorite movies in recent years is the Lone Ranger. When making that film were you trying to say something critical about America's mythical history? How much of an influence was the later career of John Ford when developing the movie?

                                [–]ProbablyMyLastPost 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi. I really enjoyed the Prince of Persia movie. I know it probably didn't live up to the expectations, but was it ever intended to be more than just a single movie?

                                [–]Codyesseus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                In seven words or less could you please sell me on A Cure for Wellness? I'm intrigued but not quite there yet.

                                Also, thank you for The Ring, Rango, and that movie Nic Cage was in. His reading aloud of his story still makes me Lol,m.

                                [–]boredandlazy1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi! First of all, thank you so much for scaring the shit out of 12 year old me. The Ring is one of my favourite movies ever.

                                I wanted to know why you didn't return for the sequel? Looking forward to A Cure For Wellness.

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What attracted you to Ehren Kruger's script for The Ring and with both that and A Cure for Wellness, what is it like directing a horror film and what do you believe is the correct way to frighten an audience?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Weirdest/coolest night you've ever had since becoming a filmmaker?

                                [–]sametho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                If it had been up to you, would you have left The Ring as a single movie, produced The Ring 2 as it was, produced a sequel that was faithful to the source material (the book "Spiral," which was the sequel to "Ring"), or done something else entirely?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi Gore,

                                What's your favourite special effect that you've pulled off?

                                [–]tune345 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I want to make a film. Ordered a camera. Any tips ?

                                [–]Hot_Cakes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How does a normal person get cast or even audition for these big budget films?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                How do you feel about the February release date for A Cure For Wellness? Some people think of January and February as a dumping ground for movies the studios aren't interested in, but stuff like The Lego Movie has proven that February can be a viable release time for movies. When A Cure For Wellness was slated for February, were you disappointed?

                                Also, what are your hobbies outside of film?

                                Thanks for doing this AMA! Can't wait to see the movie!

                                [–]monetized_account 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Any movie you make is an instant ticket from me, thank you!

                                What was the process behind the creation of Captain Jack Sparrow?

                                [–]8MileAllstars 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                1. Any movies that you've passed on directing and that when you saw the final product, you thought "wow, that was better than I would have done" and;

                                2. Are you named after Al Gore?

                                [–]smiths39 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                On The Weather Man, what was it like working with the man, the myth, the legend, our one true god...Nicolas Cage?

                                Do you prefer working on smaller or bigger budget movies?

                                Also, love your work bro!

                                [–]thetacobellvampire 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hello Gore,

                                I'm a huge fan of your work but the most impressive thing about your films is how you manage to tackle different genres perfectly. It's comparable to Early Spielberg. Do you have any genres that you would love to tackle?

                                Also thanks for releasing what looks to be another great film on my birthday! I'm so excited.

                                [–]SixGunGorilla 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I am excited to see a horror movie get more attention in advertising and to see a horror movie that I genuinely want to watch this early in the year. With that said what is the most exciting part of this movie for you that gives you hope that it won't fall victim to an early release, and will become a hit in the horror community?

                                [–]RemoteBoner 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Just want to say I'm a huge fan and I really love The Weather Man. Any chance you'll work with Nick Cage again? Any interesting stories from the set?

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What happened to your Bioshock movie? Will it ever happen? You wanted it to be R-Rated. Deadpool and Fury Road did prove R-Rated movies can make money again.

                                [–]lridge 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Could you give us a "if you liked A CURE FOR WELLNESS, you'll love..." list for books, movies, music that inspired you?

                                [–]thebshwckr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Lone ranger wasn't well received, anything you would change?

                                Btw i thought it was fun but to long

                                [–]cg1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi Gore! Thanks for doing this AMA. I've been a big fan since The Ring, which honestly terrified me the first time. Wishing upon you continued prosperity and the best of luck with A Cure for Wellness and beyond.

                                Is there a scene from any of your films that you are especially proud of? Did something come together better than expected and/or holds a special significance?

                                [–]soundproof2010 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Having really enjoyed The Ring and The Weather Man, do you plan on doing any more horror or darker comedy movies? I think these are both staples for each genre and would love to see more with a similar tone.

                                [–]Endless_Facepalm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I am terrible with horror and scary things, so on a scale of 1-10, 1 being "I can laugh at it," and 10 being "I will shit myself and cry from beginning to end," how scary would you rate the film? The trailer scared me and it looks awesome but I need to know ahead of time if I should bring another pair of pants with me to the theatre.

                                [–]warpg8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Honest opinion: Pirates should have ended after Dead Man's Chest, right?

                                Second question: how do you feel about the trend toward extended universes and continuity across films as the current trend in filmmaking?

                                [–]HanzoSteel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I ADORE Mousehunt! Any chance of a Blu-ray release?!

                                [–]nailbiter111 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                You have a reputation for going over budget on most of your films. Do you think that is fair or unfair to say?

                                [–]Im_A_Director 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What's a great way to get into Directing in hollywood? I know it's not easy, when I graduate school I was going to head down to hollywood and see if I can find some work. Any work that has to with film at least.

                                [–]JacTheWac 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                What do you have planned next?

                                What would your dream project be?

                                Also, I can't wait to see A Cure for Wellness!

                                [–]Elranzer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                I’m Gore Verbinski, director of The Ring

                                Why was Rings (2017) allowed to happen? Can't we just recognize the original as a classic and leave it alone?

                                (Yes, I realize the irony in calling the American Ringu remake an original, but remake or not, the American remake was a classic.)

                                [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Are you a true pirate?

                                [–]coat-tail_rider 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                On a scale from "extremely" to "all we did was change the actors", how much is the movie just like Shutter Island?

                                [–]NewAgeOfHeroes 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi Mr. Verbinski, could you explain why you decided to include the scene in The Ring in which a horse jumps off a boat and is killed by its rotor?

                                [–]demetriustherooster 0 points1 point  (0 children)

                                Hi Mr. Verbinski! I love The Ring. Love love love The Ring. Poetic, beautiful and incredibly successful. Hate the second one. So I'm just wondering why you didn't you stay on to direct the sequel?

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