Tyler Perry Didn't Know Who David Fincher Was, Hypes Up 'Gone Girl'

August 27, 2014
Source: Vulture

Tyler Perry

Most of the time, people who are lucky enough to work in Hollywood are so busy with their own projects that they don't have time to keep up with what's happening outside of their own professional bubble. That means actors, writers, directors and more aren't quite as knowledgeable as to what's happening with other films, sometimes not even being aware of one another's work. However, when it comes to a director like Tyler Perry mentioning in an interview with Vulture that he didn't know who David Fincher (director of The Social Network and Se7en) was before signing on for a role in Gone Girl, that seems a little ridiculous.

Perry mentions this absence of knowledge when talking about his supporting turn in Gone Girl, explaining that he wouldn't have taken the role if he had been aware of who Fincher was as a filmmaker. Don't worry, it's not as cocky as it sounds on the surface. Perry says:

"This is the honest-to-God's truth. If I had known who David Fincher was, and his body of work. If I had known that the book was so popular, and so many people loved it. Had I known all those things, I would have said no. And my agent knew that! So he didn't tell me any of those things! Not until after I had signed on to do it. And the reason I wouldn't have done it is because when things are that magical for people and they become very special for people, there's a lot of pressure for it to be what they want it to be."

So at least Perry wouldn't have turned down the role because he didn't respect Fincher as a filmmaker. But at the same time, it's almost just as disrespectful to not be aware of other filmmakers, especially ones like Fincher whose films have been so prominent and influential. On another level, it just seems so weird that someone like Perry wasn't aware at all of someone like Fincher as a filmmaker. Anyway, Perry is certainly familiar with the director now, and he talked about what it was like to work with him and his surprising method of shooting dozens of takes:

"Nobody told me. The first time I found out he did that was on set. One of my first lines, on the first day, Ben goes, 'Just want you to know, minimum, 30 takes.' And the blood was draining from my face. I turned around and I was like, 'Are you serious?' He was like,  'Yeah, yeah, yeah.' But I'll tell you what I found, what I found in it. I love studying people. And I realized that this man sees like no other person I've ever known. I think his own vision is hyper, so when he's doing a take, he's seeing everything on that screen all at once. I mean, it's almost like some kind of alien. And until all those things line up, he's not happy."

Thankfully, Perry understood exactly what he was doing once he became familiar, and he praises him:

"But he is brilliant at getting the perfect shot. So once I realized that it's not me, or it's not Ben — it could be a napkin turned the wrong way, he's just looking at every little detail in the scene — so once I realized that, I was ready to go with it. He is the master, man. He is just great. I loved working with him. I learned how to make a movie, number one. I was just soaking everything up. I was paying attention to every move, every word, everything he was saying when he'd talk to the camera people, the DP — just the level of communication and director-speak was awesome. It makes me want to approach [filmmaking] with just a little more patience."

If there's one director Perry can learn a lot from, it's David Fincher. It's probably not enough to get him to stop making Madea movies, but there's nothing that will stop that nonsensical machine. As for Gone Girl, Perry is already hyping up the film saying, "I was beyond impressed, blown away. I laughed and I was moved and I just thought the performances were amazing. It's incredible. He's brilliant. It's pretty awesome. He nailed it. We'll all just have to find out if that's true when the film hits theaters this fall on October 3rd. Watch the most recent extended TV spot for the film and the second theatrical trailer. Thoughts?

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  • Stephen Ritchie
    David Fincher isn't exactly a major "Steven Spielberg" in terms of being that much of a household name. Also the fact that him and Perry are on two totally different perspectives when it comes filmmaking. I wouldn't really blame Perry, he hasn't been working in the film industry long enough to really know everything. Being popular just doesn't mean your really that knowledgable. He is only now starting to expand out of his own field with films such as Alex Cross. Say what you want yes it wasn't the best film but it was finally a departure of what Perry is known for. Maybe his cameo in Star Trek but that was just a cameo. He probably didn't even know who J.J Abrams was at the time also.
    • Jon Odishaw
      He is no steven spielberg but if you work in the damn industry you should probably know one of the five best directors of that last 18 years
      • Avi
        true and I think it's a Ego thing too! He will never reach the same Kind Level of directing so onley thing you can do it getting him down.
        • DAVIDPD
          Definitely an ego thing. But Fincher is the consummate director's director and Perry is just out to make money.
  • Xerxexx
  • desispeed
    I find it hard to believe this story, Perry is huge in Hollywood now and is part of the celeb circuit i.e. charity events, award shows, etc.....No way hes never heard of Fincher!
  • NathanDewey
    I love hearing or reading about how much attention to detail goes into Fincher's filming. I think it was Mark Ruffalo and Jake Gyllenhaal who really hated the fact that Fincher cared more for the composition and making things look good rather than the performance. But when I hear about the number of takes and how much his crew puts into it, it feels like I'm watching a movie where absolutely everything is accounted for. From a visual stand point, it's impossible for me not to like the movies he directs.
      He is a champion director. I love his eye as well. I also love how he perfectly set the tone for Netflix's HOUSE OF CARDS. The replicate the Fincher-look perfectly.
    I too find it hard to believe Perry was unaware of Fincher. Although yes, they may traffic in two separate spheres, they are both directors in Hollywoods with some major successes.
  • Chuckee Knowlton
    Considering the films Fincher has made and the trash Perry has, it's no surprise to at all he didn't know the man. It's a compliment to Fincher if anything.
  • Swanland
    Well, I suppose if Fincher isn't making TV movies for TNT or OWN, Tyler Perry would never cross paths with his work. Seriously, Tyler, OPEN YOUR EYES!




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