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Filmmaker Steven Spielberg has helmed many iconic films of the generation. He is the man behind films such as theIndiana Jonesfranchise,Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan,andSchindler’s List. The two-time Oscar nominee has also been vocal about his favorite films and has always considered himself to be a lover of cinema first.
The director has appreciated others’ cinema on multiple occasions. He called Tom Cruise the savior of cinema for his contributions to the theater industry during the pandemic. One film that Spielberg loved, but was still disturbed by, was reportedly Taylor Sheridan’s directorial debutWind River,which he reportedly saw after its screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
Steven Spielberg Wanted Assurance From Taylor Sheridan’s Film
After finding success as a screenwriter with films such asSicarioandHell or High Water,Taylor Sheridanwrapped up his American Frontier trilogy with the neo-Western crime filmWind River. The film marked his directorial debut as the former films were helmed by Denis Villeneuve and David McKenzie respectively.
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The film was made on an $11 million budget (viaThe Numbers) and starred Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen as two federal agents who investigate a missing child of the Wind River Indian Reservation. Tackling the issue of missing Native Indian children, Sheridan reportedly drew from his own experiences with his time on a Reservation and explored their life.
When the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Sheridan won the Un Certain Regard Best Director Award, and the film was also nominated for Prix Un Certain Regard. The film drew many positive responses, one of which was fromSteven Spielbergwho reportedly called him up. However, the filmmaker wanted to know if Renner really shot a coyote in the film. Sheridan recounted toEsquire,
I don’t think you did, but I can’t see your homework.
Sheridan reportedly assured Steven Spielberg that no coyotes were harmed during filming and that everything was all safe.Wind Riverended up being a commercial success, earning $45 million at the box office (via The Numbers).
Jeremy Renner Was Initially Not Interested InWind River
While Jeremy Renner has some impressive high-profile films in his roster,Wind Riverremains one of his best performances to date. The actor plays a US Fish and Wildlife Service Agent who discovers the frozen body of a young tribesperson and sets the events of the Taylor Sheridan film in motion.
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However, Renner was reportedly about to take a break from acting when he was offered the role by Taylor Sheridan. The filmmaker mentioned that Renner was tired of high-profile superhero films at the time and needed a break. But, Sheridan convinced him by asking him to read the first ten pages of the script and the filmmaker promised to send a fine bottle after quizzing him first (via Esquire).
Jeremy Renner ended up accepting the role of Cory Lambert and gave a memorable performance. He and Sheridan reunited for the TV seriesMayor of Kingstown, which the latter co-created along with Hugh Dillon.
Wind Riveris streaming on the Roku Channel.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2415
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
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Steven SpielbergTaylor Sheridan
