#1511 - Oliver Stone

At a Glance

• My Lai Massacre Project Aborted - “We were about two, three weeks away from shooting it in 2007 in Thailand and some of it in Vietnam.” This is significant because Oliver Stone was close to making a film about the My Lai Massacre, but the project fell through.

• Martin Luther King Story Challenges - “It’s too tough a story to tell… Martin Luther King’s a great story, but it’s too tough a story to tell.” This is significant because Oliver Stone had difficulties in making a film about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life due to its complexity and sensitivity.

• Oliver Stone’s Career Reflection - “For every film you do, there’s like five abortions that seems like a great one, though” This is significant because Oliver Stone reflects on the challenges of making films and the fact that many projects don’t come to fruition.

What to Do

• “Don’t be afraid to revisit old ideas and projects” - Oliver Stone mentions that he had tried to make several films, including the Martin Luther King story and Evita, but they never came together. However, with changing times and new perspectives, it might be a good time to revisit these projects.

• “Don’t let others’ opinions hold you back” - Oliver Stone talks about how he had written a script for the Martin Luther King story, but another director made it instead. He notes that it’s difficult to get films made and that many ideas get abandoned.

• “Tough stories need to be told” - Oliver Stone mentions that he wanted to make a film about My Lai, which is an unknown story. He believes that tough stories like this one need to be told.

• “Don’t give up on your ideas” - Oliver Stone talks about how he had tried to make several films, including the Martin Luther King story and Evita, but they never came together. However, he didn’t give up on these ideas and continues to work on them.

What to Get

• My Lai Massacre book/ information source: A historical event, not specifically referenced in the transcript as being associated with an item such as a book.

• Mountaintop by Katori Hall - Amazon - The discussed Martin Luther King screenplay

• Chasing The Light: Writing, Directing, and Surviving Platoon, Midnight Express, Scarface, Salvador, and the Movie Game by Oliver Stone - Amazon - The speakers mention the autobiographical work of Oliver Stone

• The Untold History of the United States by Oliver Stone - Amazon

Summary

This podcast episode features a conversation between Joe Dante and Oliver Stone about their experiences as filmmakers. The discussion touches on the challenges of bringing certain stories to the big screen, with both directors sharing tales of failed projects. One such project is a film adaptation of the My Lai Massacre, which was nearly made but ultimately didn’t come together due to financial issues.

Oliver Stone reveals that he had been working on a script for the Martin Luther King story, but it never gained traction. He also mentions attempting to make a biopic about Evita, only to have another director bring the project to fruition. The conversation highlights the struggles of bringing complex and sensitive topics to the screen, with both directors acknowledging the difficulties in finding the right tone and perspective.

The episode is an insightful look into the world of filmmaking and the creative process. Both Joe Dante and Oliver Stone share their experiences as directors, offering a glimpse into the highs and lows of working on high-profile projects. The conversation also touches on themes such as truth-telling, historical accuracy, and the importance of bringing difficult stories to light.

Some of the most interesting points are when the two discuss; The My Lai Massacre was nearly made into a film by Oliver Stone in 2007, but the project fell through due to financial issues. WHen Oliver Stone had been working on a script for the Martin Luther King story, but it never came together. He believes that a black filmmaker could now revisit this project and bring new perspective to the story. Then The conversation highlights the challenges of bringing complex stories to the screen, including the difficulties in finding the right tone and perspective.

The episode offers a unique look into the world of filmmaking and the creative process. It highlights the challenges of bringing complex and sensitive topics to the screen, including the difficulties in finding the right tone and perspective. The conversation also touches on themes such as truth-telling, historical accuracy, and the importance of bringing difficult stories to light.