This interview contains potentialspoilersforJane Eyre.
That is the most contrived scene in the entire book, and its like, really?
So you didnt film it?
That was never even considered to be a scene in the movie.
Must have been an off-day.
Hes described as ugly a number of times in the book.
By the narrator, by Jane.
It also happens that girls think theyre less attractive than they are.
So you think its a question of subjectivity.
Also, I personally think Michaels very ugly, I dont know what everyone talks about.
Well of course, hes hideous to look at
All those teeth.
What specifically were you trying to avoid?
Did I say non-Hollywood film?
You said not like a Hollywood movie in relation specifically to the lighting.
I suppose I meant sort of that honeyed, glossy look for the whole thing.
Then just play it non-vibrato and small, small, small.
It was the same with the ending.
But I just preferred a much starker, simpler, quieter ending.
How did you go about toning down the melodrama?
Was crossing that line a danger all the way through, with the character of Bertha for instance?
Who is this person?
It just creates more questions than it answers.
So its a question of credulity then?
Purists are going to be like, whatevers in the book, you have to do it.
I dont know anyone that has… Did you make the film for people whod read the book?
I liked that idea.
Was there one key visual idea forJane Eyrethat struck you in a similar way?
Her wandering on the moors, in desperation.
That was fascinating and a beautiful image.
I hadnt seen David Leans, is itOliver TwistorGreat Expectations?
Did you wander the moors yourself forJane Eyre?
So you were a re-enactment nerd?
[Laughs] I was, I was.
I havent done it for like over 15 years.
Did you ever get the urge on the set ofJane Eyreto get into period costume then?
Talk to the producers.
[laughs]
I do want to direct a movie from horseback one day.
Yeah, that would be amazing.
So often at home in the West Village Im like, Why arent I allowed a horse?
You could be like Bianca Jagger riding into Studio 54 in the seventies…
I definitely want to explore the legality of riding a horse in the city.
I cant remember if its actually in a puddle, but yeah.
But Im not sure if we have a puddle shot.
Okay, but humour me that you were thinkingKing Kong?
[laughing]King KongorJurassic Park, one or the other, definitely channelling Spielberg.
You mentioned the 3D soundscape, did you ever consider makingJane Eyrein 3D?
It would be cool though.
I love the idea of 3D but its completely superfluous to most stories.
So youre not ruling it out for the future?
If it was easier to do and easier to exhibit I think, why not?
After the success ofSin Nombre, you must have had a lot of interest and offers?
I dont even really know how it was received in the UK, I remember…
I dont think it did that well in the UK.
Critically it was wasnt it?
I remember listening to a Radio 4 programme where it was really praised.
They said nice things?
Its probably still on the iPlayer archive.
No-one really tells me that stuff.
I am jumping genres.
I lovedMoon, I didnt feel thatSource Codewas as genius as Moon was.
But hes kind of staying in the same genre, weird psychological intrigue.
Similar toSpacelessthen, in the psychological intrigue sci-fi aspect?
About an astronaut in a spacesuit drifting around?
Its all top secret.
Is the musical still happening?
Yeah, Im finishing the script as we speak.
Still with Owen Pallett from The Arcade Fire?
No, I need to talk to Owen again.
Basically Ive been on hold sinceJane Eyre.
I never really sat down with any music group and said Were going to work together.
Ive met with Owen Pallett, Ive met with Zach Condon [from the band Beirut] before.
I have people in mind.
Id like to make it a big collaboration, its not going to be like one person.
Can you share any names?
It might be a great way to bag them though, if you start talking them up in interviews?
Have you readWide Sargasso Sea[Jean Rhys prequel toJane Eyre, set in the West Indies]?
Theyve already done it recently, isnt that with Rebecca Hall or someone?
I feel that every film that takes place on a nice tropical environment never turns out that well.
Which do you mean?
Can you think of any good film thats taken place on a tropical environment?
The only one I can think of, weirdly, isForgetting Sarah Marshallin Hawaii.
That wasnt the best…
Maybe Mel GibsonsMutiny on the Bounty, that was pretty good.
[PR interjects laughing]What about that one Madonna movie, Swept Away?
So youre okay with 3D but not with tropical islands, thats the picture were building up.
I would love to be okay with it because the lifestyle on a tropical island is pretty amazing.
Actually,Pirates of the Caribbeandid pretty well…
Isnt Gore Verbinski producingSpaceless?
When you were making the film, did you think about making it for a DVD audience?
No, definitely not.
Definitely just for the big screen.
After that I think my favourite film wasBeau Geste.
When I was seven or eight I dressed as a French foreign legionnaire for Halloween.
So the period costume thing goes way back then?
Yeah, its been a habit for a long time.
Can you tell us anything about your Civil War film?
Its still being written but its basically based on, do you know Buster KeatonsThe General?
Well stick with the reality of it, but it was just like one of those daring plans.
Are there any cast members in place yet?
No, thats like the last thing I do, I really dont think about that until… One last question then, did Judi Dench really do finger shadow puppetry on set between takes onJane Eyre?
Yeah [laughs] thats true.
Weve got photos somewhere of that.
Cary Fukunaga, thank you very much.
