Studio wanted major changes in “Gravity”

Check this quote from Gravity co-writer and director Alphonso Cuarón in io9:

Did you have to fight for the film to be more of a small, character-focused piece? Instead of focusing on all of the destruction?

When we set up to write the script, it was about that. What we were trying to do was a film about adversity and the possible outcome of a rebirth. All of things that fall apart metaphorically, and in the life of this woman.

So there was no pressure anytime from anyone to focus more on the destruction and less on the characters?

When you go into the process, yes, there are a lot of ideas. People start suggesting other stuff. “You need to cut to Houston, and see how the rescue mission goes. And there is a ticking clock with the rescue mission. You have to do flashbacks with the backstory.” But we were very clear that this was the film that we wanted to make.

I can’t imagine this movie leaving [the main character’s POV]. But I understand people pitch things. So what was the weirdest suggestion that you heard on how to change Gravity?

This is the thing, you will always hear voices. With making a film it’s like trying to create a tune in the shower, while you have a hundred people singing around you. You have to focus yourself in on the tune that you’re trying to create. Because you have hundreds of people singing different songs at the same time around you. There’s always that.

The whole thing of the flashbacks. A whole thing with… a romantic relationship with the Mission Control Commander, who is in love with her. All of that kind of stuff. What else? To finish with a whole rescue helicopter, that would come and rescue her. Stuff like that.

Meanwhile via TheWrap:

In the box office world, having a movie hold onto 50 percent of its opening weekend gross is the gold standard. “Gravity” went platinum this weekend.

The best box-office debut ever in October was a tough act to follow, but the second-week performance of Warner Bros.’ space thriller may be even more impressive. It brought in an estimated $44.3 million over the weekend, just 21 percent down from its $55.7 million debut, the best retention rate ever for a film that opened to more than $50 million.

To put that in perspective, look at the year’s three biggest movies. “Iron Man 3” fell 58 percent in its second weekend after opening with $174 million. “Man of Steel” plummeted 64 percent from its $116 million debut. Even the family film “Despicable Me 2” dropped 47 percent from its $83 million first weekend. “Marvel’s The Avengers” fell 50 percent in its second week last year, according to BoxOffice Mojo.

Takeaway: Sometimes the best changes are no changes.

For the io9 article, go here.

For TheWrap article, go here.

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