In regards to The Haunting, people compared it to the old movie, which is unfair. We didn’t have the rights to the movie. I couldn’t duplicate a single thing because that would have been legal infringement.
Meaning of the quote
The director is saying that it wouldn't have been fair to compare his new movie, The Haunting, to the old one. He didn't have the legal rights to use anything from the old movie, so he couldn't copy or reproduce anything from it. Doing that would have been against the law.
About Jan de Bont
Jan de Bont is a renowned Dutch filmmaker who has directed successful action movies like Speed and Twister. He also worked as a cinematographer on various blockbuster films, including Die Hard and Basic Instinct, before transitioning to directing.
More quotes from Jan de Bont
One of the most amazing locations I’ve ever been is the top of the volcano in Tanzania, Africa. It’s an actual volcano where you really have this lava every day.
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I really believe action will always be there and will never disappear.
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I think there are a lot more relationship scenes in my movies that people tend to overlook. A lot of scenes really feel real and are about the characters.
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As a director, you try to find what is creative.
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The quality of CGI, audiences are now so used to it. They don’t know what is CGI and what is real.
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I had a very strong-willed mother, who I totally adored. She was always in control of her life.
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Being in an area of the planet where scientists believe mankind started is quite amazing.
Dutch film director
When I heard about the first Tomb Raider, I was very interested and I would have liked to have directed that. When I was approached for the second film, I was delighted.
Dutch film director
The bad guys are not typical; they are not just bad, they are interesting. They might be good or bad.
Dutch film director
I think the audience would like to see movies that are stunning to watch. I really think they’d like to see spectacles.
Dutch film director
Lara Croft is such a strong individual, she’s very driven, she doesn’t need a man, she’s speaks her own mind, and that she’s in control of her own life. It’s a lot of what women want and have.
Dutch film director
I think what makes a good action film is a story that gets you involved. Just action, by itself, is not going to work.
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We’re all complex human beings, and if some of that complexity shows through, I think it’s advantageous for the movie.
Dutch film director
We are creating a fabulous franchise with an incredible female action hero.
Dutch film director
In regards to The Haunting, people compared it to the old movie, which is unfair. We didn’t have the rights to the movie. I couldn’t duplicate a single thing because that would have been legal infringement.
Dutch film director
Angelina wanted to make sure that any fighting in the movie would be comparable to any male actor. Everything from stick fighting to horse riding was real to her.
Dutch film director
This film, Tomb Raider 2, is a big challenge. It’s quite exhausting.
Dutch film director
It’s always an enormous pressure when you do a sequel. The demands are so high, and it’s expensive.
Dutch film director
Summer movies are spectacles; that’s what you pay 10 dollars to see. You want to get teased by effects sometimes. I think that will never stop.
Dutch film director