Brett Ratner claims he is a “type-A” personality.
But even the director, who made a name for himself with the Rush Hour movies, couldn’t help relaxing just a little while making his latest, After the Sunset–a heist comedy in which he got to frolic on the beaches of the Bahamas with the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek and Woody Harrelson.
Brosnan plays a master jewel thief Max Burdett, who, fresh off his final big score, is ready to retire in the Bahamas with his beautiful accomplice, Lola (Hayek). But Stan (Harrelson), the FBI agent who has spent years tracking Max, refuses to believe that his nemesis is actually calling it quits, following him to the islands to try and catch him in the act. Fat chance!
Ratner gave us the scoop on working with these truly beautiful people, as well as his two cents on who could be the next 007. Plus: Click on the “Related Links” above for video interviews with Pierce and Salma.
What drew you to the project? The story, the location–or a nearly nude Salma Hayek on the beach?
Brett Ratner: [laughs] What do you think? I mean, how could I pass on this movie? Shooting for three months in the Bahamas with Salma Hayek in a bikini. Please. I was working with two of the most beautiful people on the planet. Actually, it really was a challenge for me because it isn’t anything I’ve ever done before. I’ve done movies in all kinds of genres but this was definitely the hardest movie I’ve ever done because it had four different genres in one. It’s a heist movie, but it has comedy and drama, romance and heart–and also action. It was hard. Heist movies are earnest but I think I brought a lot of comedy to it.
That’s must have been where Woody Harrelson comes in. What kind of shenanigans was he up to on the set?
He’s the best time ever! So funny…Woody would be after me to eat healthy, to take care of me. He’d always be bringing me raw food. Now when you eat raw food, the poisons start leaving your body, and I could not stand all those orders coming from my body. I was sneaking fried chicken in my trailer, and when he came in to check on me, I’d have to hide the fried chicken.
What do you think it is about heist movies that make them popular?
I think it’s wish fulfillment. People dreaming that they can steal a diamond themselves….
…or do you think it’s because we love that charismatic thief?
Pierce [Brosnan] is certainly like that. Being that I’m a huge James Bond fan, it was a thrill to work with him. Ironically enough, Pierce flew to Las Vegas to meet me while I was shooting Rush Hour 2 [in 2000] and told me he wanted me to direct the next James Bond movie, the one with Halle Berry [Die Another Day]. Of course, he added that he didn’t have any say in the matter, but it was still incredibly flattering. Rarely do actors come after directors; I mean, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. I would love to make a James Bond movie.
What’s your favorite James Bond movie so far?
Definitely On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Because that had a lot of heart, had a back story. Bond is kind of a cold character and in that movie, you really discover a lot about him. And that’s what I loved about it because you learned stuff. Pierce wanted that. He wanted to have some depth to Bond and thought I could have brought in some of that.
Who would you choose as the next Bond?
I think Jude Law would be excellent. Of course, he’d probably never do it but he’d be great. You know, I met him once when I was attached to Superman project and this guy is so handsome and charming in person. Forget about Pierce. You can’t even look at [Law]. I was sitting there like, “Who are you?”
What about this whole Superman saga? First there’s Charlie’s Angels director McG attached, then you, now X-Men director Bryan Singer…
Well, I’m just glad it’s finally going to get made. I think my idea was just too expensive and Singer just found a more efficient way to do it. He’s done movies in that genre, with X-Men, so he kinda knows how to do it. As opposed to when I do it, it becomes the most expensive movie ever made. I hope it comes out great ’cause I’m a big fan.
Sunrise or sunset?
Actually, I’m neither. I’m not a sunset guy but I could be sunrise guy because I stay up all night sometimes. But definitely not relaxed enough to enjoy a sunset. I’m a type-A guy who can’t stop.
After the Sunset opens in theaters Nov. 12.
