Great Scott!

 

   Every morning, I try to make it a point to check my film business sources for the latest filmmaking on goings. And like all fans of Tony Scott's work, I too was shocked to hear of his death, especially how he died.

   I remember seeing Top Gun for the first time on video (unfortunately, I never saw it in an actual theatre but I've seen it at least 10 times) and being excited at the thought of a sequel. I had a storyline that "Maverick" would find his father (as "Viper" never really stated that he actually died just that he was in a firefight). However, I think the "T.G." knockoff, "Iron Eagle" ("Never Say Die") might have taken that storyline. Anyhow, a Top Gun sequel was a film that I was looking forward to at one point. Within the last two to three years there have been little mentions of a sequel again and of course, my interest was still peaked especially with a more mature Cruise. And there's an actor, I blogged about awhile back,
Colin Egglesfield (Great casting as "Maverick's" son or just a new Top Gun recruit whom is just as cocky as "Maverick" was.) Anyhow, it's was sad to hear of Scott's death and then the next day hearing that Scott and Cruise had been scouting locations, doing research for "Top Gun II" to begin filming sometime next year.... More on that in a bit as I'd like to go through a brief honorable mentions of my favorite Tony Scott films.

 

Now if you review his films you can see where I believe a director like Michael Bay got his style from. Here, I won't give you storlines here but I do suggest that if you haven't checked them out, do so.

 

True Romance: I am always shocked at how many people I know
whom have not seen this film. It has so many cinephile quotables.
And of course the "Walken/Hooper" scene along with actor Bronson Pinchot gets pulled over.. And besides it was written by Tarantino...

 

Crimson Tide: Gene Hackman & Denzel Washington play a very
intense chess game in this Nuclear submarine thriller. I personally liked this more than "The Hunt for Red October".

 

The Last Boy Scout: I did not like this film the first two times I saw it. But Bruce Willis kept me in it. I only wish Scott had let Damon Wayans REALLY get loose with his comedic wit, I believe Wayans career might now be on an Eddie Murphy level, (the early years). Speaking of which...

 

Beverly Hills Cop II: Okay so it's not the original "BHC" but being a huge Eddie Murphy fan, he kept me into it. And I loved some of the visuals somewhat similar to...

 

Man on Fire: A favorite Denzel Washington film of mine with the Tony Scott visuals and use of color. I actually enjoyed most of their collaborations. I think this film showed that Washington could be an action hero (Expendables 5 anyone?)
And to think this film was offered to Will Smith (big mistake).

 

Enemy of the State: If you can decode this film then you really know that "Big Brother" is very much so alive and well. It also plays homage to Gene Hackman's character in his earlier work "The Conversation".

 

Deja Vu: This was a different take on the science of time travel with Denzel trying to stop a bomber and save a woman whom may be able to help. I also liked the special effects in this film. Again, if you can decode this film then you may wonder if this the technology used does actually exist. So watch this after "Enemy".

 

Although, throughout some of Scott's films you may notice a bit of a cliche "Shoot out at the OK Coral" type of endings he kept me so interested in the films that I really didn't care.

 

    The day after Scott's death, I was talking with my mom and I mentioned that a director had died. I told her it was Tony Scott and to my surprise she had replied "Ridley's brother?" Several years ago the film "American Gangster" was helmed in my old neighborhood and my mom and I went out to watch. I had binoculars and we could see Washington and Ridley Scott standing behind the camera looking very relaxed as he ate a yogurt. I thought that's the type of filmmaker I'd like to strive to become... Calm and seeming to enjoy your job. Little did I realize that day had left an awesome impression on my mom as well. Enough that not only did she know the Scott brothers but she recalled seeing their company logo for Scott Free films. She is a fan of the television show "Numbers" as well.

   Now back to the possible "Top Gun" sequel, will this film get made? And who could possibly take over the helm. Of course the first thought is Ridley Scott as maybe he could find some sort of closure with his brother's loss. But I would be very interested in seeing Peter Berg take this film on especially after watching "Battleship" which was basically a Michael Bay film.

He owes me at least one film.

 

Who do you think could take on the "Top Gun" sequel?