Jerry Bruckheimer is perhaps best known (by me at least) as being the driving force behind TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and films such as Top Gun, Gone in Sixty Seconds and Pirates of the Caribbean.
I caught up with him to chat about his latest project, G-Force.
How rewarding was it to make a family movie like G-Force?
It was wonderful. There’s nothing more amazing than listening to kids laugh at a movie and to see them have a good time watching it. To give children joy is always a magnificent thing. That’s what it’s all about and that’s why I particularly enjoyed working on G-Force.
What makes the movie stand out?
It’s fun to take films based on classic themes and give them a twist to see what evolves. Movies about secret agents have been on screen long before James Bond – and movies in which animals speak and have personalities have also been with us for quite some time. However, what we’ve never seen is a movie about secret agents who also happen to be animals.
How did you react when you first heard about the movie’s storyline?
When I first heard about the project, I fell in love with the characters because they are so adorable and cute. I also loved the concept of the little spies and I loved the fact that they’re ballsy animals. There’s a great theme to the movie, too. It’s about family and it’s also about believing in yourself. The gadgets are also a lot of fun. The animals have parachutes, blow torches and their own communication system. James Bond would be envious.
Did you ever worry that a movie about guinea pig spies was a little too crazy?
The idea was utterly off-the-wall, but that was fine with us because it was completely original. The amazing thing is that the fantasy element of G-Force is based on certain realities. For years, the government has engaged in top-secret programs in which they train animals to help defend the nation – from dolphins detecting mines to cockroaches carrying recording devices. We just kicked it to the next level. What if a scientist figured out a way to not only train such animals, but to actually communicate with them? That’s what happens in our movie.
Do you have a favourite gadget in the film?
I love the way that the animals can talk with humans through their communication devices. I would love to see something like that developed in real life because I would love to be able to talk to my dogs.
Are you a fan of gadgets and gizmos?
I love gadgets. The biggest gadget in my life is my iPhone, although I love cameras and I shoot a lot of pictures, obviously. I love technology.
How much effort do you make to keep yourself updated with technological advances?
Well, I guess I keep updated on technological advances through our technicians. They always come to us and say, “We’re doing this and we’re doing that.” I don’t seek it out, but it comes to me.
How hands on were you with the shooting of G-Force?
I did go to the set, but I wasn’t there every day. I always had somebody from my staff there, though. When I was in town, I’d try to make it whenever I could. I’m as hands-on as I can possibly be.
You have worked with Nicolas Cage on a number of projects. What is it that draws you back to him all the time?
I think Nicolas Cage is great because he’s such a good actor and he’s such a good guy. He’s very creative. You always want a partner who makes you look better – and he makes me look good.
Your movies often include the theme where a regular guy becomes a hero – or in this case, a regular guinea pig becomes a secret agent… Why does this appeal to you so much? Do you have dreams or a desire to become a hero?
I think everybody has dreams like this. Every little boy wants to be the hero and wants to lead the charge. It’s no different in sports. Every kid wants to score the winning goal.
Do you remember your dreams as a kid?
Of course. Initially, I think I wanted to be a photographer – but then my dreams changed. I don’t think I was good enough at photography.
Were you into movies when you were a youngster?
For as long as I can remember, my mom would always take me to see a matinee movie every Saturday afternoon. I used to love it. In fact, I still do.
Do you have time to go to the cinema often now?
I went to the cinema this weekend and I try to go as much as I can, but sometimes I’m just too busy.
Can you still watch a film like a regular moviegoer or do you sit there and look at it from a technical point of view?
I watch movies just like a regular moviegoer on the first watch. For the first viewing, I just want to be involved in the story. However, I look into how they shot scenes on the second viewing.
What else do you like to do for fun?
I play ice hockey. I try to do it once a week or sometimes twice a week, but it depends on where I am in the world.
What advice do you have for youngsters who want to get into the movie industry?
Read as much you can about movies and the industry. Study it. Take classes. Make your own little films. There are inexpensive technologies available so you can make your own movies on the cheap. Just get out there and do it.
Did you create movies when you were growing up?
No. That technology wasn’t there when I grew up. It was 8mm and that was about it.
So how did you get into the movie industry?
I just loved it. I got dropped off at the cinema matinee every Saturday to watch a movie and then I went on to read everything I could about it.
Do you consider yourself a bit of a daredevil?
I was never a daredevil. I was always more cautious and calculating.
But you’re often referred to as a person who dares… Why do you think that is?
I think I’m described as that because I take on these big projects. I will make a pirate movie, which is a daredevil move because pirate movies have failed for many, many years. It was 30 or 40 years since a successful pirate movie was made, so it’s daring to do Pirates Of The Caribbean. We spent over $100 million making the first movie. That’s pretty daring.
What can you tell us about Pirates Of The Caribbean 4?
I can’t say anything at the moment. We’re working on the story right now.
Is it definitely going to happen?
Nothing is 100% except death and taxes. Deaths and taxes are 100%. Nothing else is.
But would you still cast Johnny Depp and nobody else for the role of Jack Sparrow?
Well, if the script’s good, he’ll be there.
Johnny Depp is also rumoured to be playing the Lone Ranger in an upcoming Jerry Bruckheimer production. Is that true?
Again, it’s a character he likes, but nothing is finalized. He’d like to play Tonto and we’re working on a screenplay, so we’ll just have to see what happens.
What about CSI? Is there any truth in the rumour that you’re working on a fourth show?
I wish that rumour was true, but it’s not. I haven’t heard anything about that yet. If the network would allow us to, I’d love to do another – but I think they’ve got plenty of CSI shows out there.
So which city would be perfect for a fourth CSI?
I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Maybe a foreign city would be good, though? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
G-Force is out on DVD now.
Jerry Bruckheimer is perhaps best known (by me at least) as being the driving force behind TV series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and films such as Top Gun, Gone in Sixty Seconds and Pirates of the Caribbean.
I caught up with him to chat about his latest project, G-Force.
How rewarding was it to make a family movie like G-Force?
It was wonderful. There’s nothing more amazing than listening to kids laugh at a movie and to see them have a good time watching it. To give children joy is always a magnificent thing. That’s what it’s all about and that’s why I particularly enjoyed working on G-Force.
What makes the movie stand out?
It’s fun to take films based on classic themes and give them a twist to see what evolves. Movies about secret agents have been on screen long before James Bond – and movies in which animals speak and have personalities have also been with us for quite some time. However, what we’ve never seen is a movie about secret agents who also happen to be animals.
How did you react when you first heard about the movie’s storyline?
When I first heard about the project, I fell in love with the characters because they are so adorable and cute. I also loved the concept of the little spies and I loved the fact that they’re ballsy animals. There’s a great theme to the movie, too. It’s about family and it’s also about believing in yourself. The gadgets are also a lot of fun. The animals have parachutes, blow torches and their own communication system. James Bond would be envious.
Did you ever worry that a movie about guinea pig spies was a little too crazy?
The idea was utterly off-the-wall, but that was fine with us because it was completely original. The amazing thing is that the fantasy element of G-Force is based on certain realities. For years, the government has engaged in top-secret programs in which they train animals to help defend the nation – from dolphins detecting mines to cockroaches carrying recording devices. We just kicked it to the next level. What if a scientist figured out a way to not only train such animals, but to actually communicate with them? That’s what happens in our movie.
Do you have a favourite gadget in the film?
I love the way that the animals can talk with humans through their communication devices. I would love to see something like that developed in real life because I would love to be able to talk to my dogs.
Are you a fan of gadgets and gizmos?
I love gadgets. The biggest gadget in my life is my iPhone, although I love cameras and I shoot a lot of pictures, obviously. I love technology.
How much effort do you make to keep yourself updated with technological advances?
Well, I guess I keep updated on technological advances through our technicians. They always come to us and say, “We’re doing this and we’re doing that.” I don’t seek it out, but it comes to me.
How hands on were you with the shooting of G-Force?
I did go to the set, but I wasn’t there every day. I always had somebody from my staff there, though. When I was in town, I’d try to make it whenever I could. I’m as hands-on as I can possibly be.
You have worked with Nicolas Cage on a number of projects. What is it that draws you back to him all the time?
I think Nicolas Cage is great because he’s such a good actor and he’s such a good guy. He’s very creative. You always want a partner who makes you look better – and he makes me look good.
Your movies often include the theme where a regular guy becomes a hero – or in this case, a regular guinea pig becomes a secret agent… Why does this appeal to you so much? Do you have dreams or a desire to become a hero?
I think everybody has dreams like this. Every little boy wants to be the hero and wants to lead the charge. It’s no different in sports. Every kid wants to score the winning goal.
Do you remember your dreams as a kid?
Of course. Initially, I think I wanted to be a photographer – but then my dreams changed. I don’t think I was good enough at photography.
Were you into movies when you were a youngster?
For as long as I can remember, my mom would always take me to see a matinee movie every Saturday afternoon. I used to love it. In fact, I still do.
Do you have time to go to the cinema often now?
I went to the cinema this weekend and I try to go as much as I can, but sometimes I’m just too busy.
Can you still watch a film like a regular moviegoer or do you sit there and look at it from a technical point of view?
Tagged in Jerry Bruckheimer