Denzel Washington Among Film Community Mourning Tragic Passing Of Tony Scott
The film community is waking up to the shocking news of Tony Scott’s tragic death. Some filmmakers reacted on their Twitter accounts–Ron Howard wrote “No more Tony Scott movies. Tragic day”–and there will likely be reactions from Guilds and from stars, directors, producers and studios that Scott worked with during his long career. Deadline will bring them to you as they come in. There are speculative reports about Scott’s death and I’m just not biting until I can confirm them. Tony’s brother Ridley left the set of The Counselor, the film he’s directing. It has been shut down for at least a week, so he could travel from London to Hollywood and handle his brother’s affairs. I will have answers soon and will convey them when I’m sure. Here are some of the tributes so far:
* Denzel Washington, who made the spectacular Man on Fire with Scott as well as Crimson Tide, Deja Vu, The Taking of Pelham 123 and Unstoppable, has just released a statement on the late director: “Tony Scott was a great director, a genuine friend and it is unfathomable to think that he is now gone. He had a tremendous passion for life and for the art of filmmaking and was able to share this passion with all of us through his cinematic brilliance. My family sends their prayers and deepest condolences to the entire Scott family.”
* EARLIER: 12:3O PM: Tom Cruise, who made Top Gun and Days Of Thunder with Scott and who told me recently that he was confident he and Scott would be reteaming soon for a Top Gun sequel, just issued this statement: “Tony was my dear friend and I will really miss him. He was a creative visionary whose mark on film is immeasurable. My deepest sorrow and thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Related: Director-Producer Tony Scott Jumped To Death From San Pedro Bridge In Suicide
EARLIER 2:20 PM:
* Joe Carnahan, who clearly feels he owes his career to Scott, has been pouring out a steady stream of tributes to his mentor through Twitter. I completely agree with his characterization of Man On Fire as a masterpiece: “When we finally take the true measure of Tony’s Scott’s influence and talent, we’ll build monuments to what it meant to all of us…Tony always favored me with Monte Cristo #2′s, his smoke of choice, especially after he quit. I’ll burn an entire box tonight in his honor… ‘Man On Fire’ is a masterpiece. This is Tony on the cusp of 60, pulling off something that his peers would be at a loss to even attempt…I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career. A career I wouldn’t have without Tony Scott’s persistence, love and relentless support. Tony GAVE me my commercial career at a time when when the marquee should’ve said: “Films by Tony Scott, John Woo & Who The Fuck Is That Guy…” Tony’s influence on a generation of filmmakers is colossal. There isn’t a more commercially successful director who pushed the form like him…Tony Scott as a Director was Sui Generis. Tony Scott as a friend and a mentor was irreplaceable. Tone, wherever you are, I love you man. RIP.”
Related: Hammond On Tony Scott: An Appreciation
* EARLIER, 11:02 AM: Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman/CEO Tom Rothman, who worked with Scott on so many films as Fox is the home studio for Scott Free, said: “ I had the privilege knowing Tony Scott well and working with him on many projects. The relationship was one of the great blessings of my life, as, in addition to his skill and professionalism, he was quite simply a wonderful man, generous, kind hearted and gracious. If there is a rock face in Heaven, I know he is climbing in with joy today, but this world will miss him terribly.”
* EARLIER: 5:55 AM: Here is a statement from Directors UK on the passing of one of their own:
Directors UK is saddened to hear of the death of British director Tony Scott. Charles Sturridge, Directors UK Chairman made the following statement on hearing the news:
“Tony Scott was a brilliant British director with an extraordinary ability to create energy on screen, both in action and in the creation of character with films like ‘True Romance’, ‘Man On Fire’ and ‘Enemy of The State’. He will be greatly missed.”
Tony Scott’s visual style was the first blockbuster look that is in movies. No really, if you watch Beverly Hills Cop two then it looks like it came out today. TONY SCOTT WOULD HAVE MADE THE GREATEST SUPER-HERO MOVIE. THE MAN WAS MEANT FOR THAT GENRE.
Before Top Gun came out movies were dull. Tony Scott was overly criticized by movie critics back then since they weren’t used to Blockbusters yet. But, if you compare Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop to today’s Blockbusters then Tony Scott’s movies have a FAR more solid story and PERFECT DRAMA!! If those films had come out today he would get all praise from them. TONY SCOTT WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME.
Tony Scott is one of the original blockbuster Directors. He’s up there with James Cameron and Steven Spielberg. James Cameron was primarily known as an action Director in the 80′s. Then he went pg-13 with Titanic and Avatar which made him the number one Director of all time. James Cameron found his trump card which was to go out of the R category and then bam. I was waiting for Tony Scott to find whatever his trump card is and give us the next legendary blockbuster. WAY TO SOON.
“if you watch Beverly Hills Cop two then it looks like it came out today”
the exact words I said to my friend. TONY SCOTT was ahead of his time.
Martin Brest directed Beverly Hills Cop.
Tony directed BHC II.
N.D. said “Beverly Hills Cop two” in the opening paragraph.
Beverly Hills Cop II came out in 1987. Top Gun was a year earlier in 1986, and featured that Tony Scott distinctive movie style. But I agree with you; both movies look very slick. In my opinion. Sad we won’t be seeing it again.
What’s with all these “Will be greatly missed,” and listing his movies?? The guy just “apparently” killed himself. Don’t say anything. Who cares about his films or Tom Cruise getting ready to do his next film? Here’s a talented guy in the prime of life who took his own life in a horrendous, public way. My only reaction is WHY would a person this? What life-ending demons or situation is powerful enough to make a man decide to end his world. he had a wife and twin boys. The repercussions can only be profoundly horrible. Isn’t THAT the feeling here? We are in emotionally dangerous times folks.
and Carnahan needs to mention his own “career”
over and over in this “tribute” to Mr. Scott’s incredibly heartbreaking suicide?
sheesh…
Very well stated…. so true….
And while one can appreciate your stance, the reality is no one will ever truly know why he took his life. That’s a part of the illness. It exists outside of rational thought and will never make sense to those he his survived by.
Since he expressed himself through film, why is it a bad thing to reflect on him through his achievements and those whose careers he touched and, in many case, elevated?
I totally agree with you – Why? Let us understand how this kind of thing happens – to learn, to perhaps save a life in the future.
Agree with David. The film community will be quick to eulogise him, but perhaps more could have been done to prevent him taking such a desperate step. Money and ambition are healthy in moderation, but they can’t be the alpha and omega. We’ve got to start behaving like decent people and be kind to each other.
He was the father of the high octane blockbuster. A British genius who gave America their favourite genre. Hollywood is greatly indebted to him.
R.I.P. to a great filmmaker.
So utterly devastated by the news of his passing, what a great influence and friend tone was for so many a generation of filmakers, he was as man that only new one way, full tilt forward!!.
Never hesitating in anything he did , a true mentor and always there when asked for his mentorship and insight, he would often warp it up the chat with.. “just kill”! he would often say!, only another director would understand what he really meant.
if the measure of a true maverick is to define your own path in what we do, he did it with so much love dedication and verv and with a stamina few will ever match!… behined those those kind blue eyes and stoic voice and true fire burned and through it all he never lost his humility and roots ….we will miss you tone, and we will fight on, we light a monti critso no 2 for you.. forever tone.. RIP..
Tremendous loss.
I just spent the last couple of weeks watching MAN ON FIRE over and over again. It is a great example of his tremendous artistry.
This fan will sorely miss your films. I hope whatever pain led you to exit this world is gone.
My heartfelt sympathies to his family.
Tony Scott was a true visionary. I was incredibly saddened to hear about his passing. My thoughts go out to his family at this incredibly difficult time.
Posthumous knighthood for Tony Scott, please. #RIPSirTonyScott
RIP Tony. One of my all time favorite directors. It doesn’t get better than Man On Fire or Crimson Tide. I know Ridley loved his brother as much as anyone can love anybody. I’m truly stunned. His talent was never fairly measured during his lifetime. Perhaps now it will be. My love and support for the Scott family who gave me my start.