Scorsese’s Wild Offer: Directing Flashdance 2 for Free
Martin Scorsese once volunteered to helm a Flashdance sequel without pay, all to get his own passion project off the ground. This rare move showed just how far he’d go to see his vision realised.
It’s hard to picture a time when a handful of directors could shake up the whole film industry, but that’s exactly what happened with the so-called ‘Movie Brats’. Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Francis Ford Coppola, Brian De Palma, and George Lucas all managed to carve out a spot where they could make the films they wanted, with big budgets and barely any studio interference. They managed to walk the tightrope between art and business, and for a while, it looked like they could do no wrong.
These days, the path to the top for directors is a lot more narrow. Some start out with small indie projects and, if they’re lucky, get a shot at a blockbuster, like Gareth Edwards or Taika Waititi. Others get thrown straight into the deep end, and it doesn’t always go well—just ask Carl Rinsch. Ryan Coogler might be the exception, but even he had to work his way through a Rocky sequel and a couple of superhero flicks before getting a bit more freedom.
Scorsese’s Unusual Pitch
Scorsese has always been known for sticking to his guns, rarely taking on projects just for the pay cheque. The closest he’s come to being a director-for-hire was with The Color of Money and Cape Fear, both of which still have his unmistakable touch. But when he was desperate to get The Last Temptation of Christ made, he was willing to bend his own rules.
“We cut the shooting days down to 55 days, 55 days, all shot in Israel very quickly, and the budget down to $7.8 million, then to $6 million, including the $4 million we already spent. No salary for me,”
he told Mary Pat Kelly.
“And I told [Jeffrey] Katzenberg I would do Flashdance 2, if he wanted.”
The original Flashdance, directed by Adrian Lyne, was a massive hit, pulling in over $200 million and becoming the second-biggest box office success of the year, just behind Star Wars: Return of the Jedi. While it’s not exactly a classic in the usual sense—some reckon it’s a bit of a dud—the soundtrack was a different story, picking up an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and three Grammys.
Alternate Realities and What Could Have Been
There’s a version of history where Flashdance’s legacy is tied to some of the most unique filmmakers of the era. David Cronenberg had already knocked back an offer to direct, which would’ve been something to see. Then Scorsese put his hand up for the sequel, but only if it meant he could finally get The Last Temptation of Christ off the ground. It’s a wild thought, especially since Hollywood is usually quick to churn out sequels when a film rakes in the cash. But Flashdance stayed a one-off, and Scorsese probably breathed a sigh of relief. Still, it would’ve been a fascinating detour in his career, even if it was for all the wrong reasons.
In the end, his passion project did get made, but not before he was ready to do just about anything to make it happen—even if it meant taking the mickey out of himself by offering to direct a sequel to a film he probably didn’t rate too highly. Sometimes, you’ve got to do what it takes to get your vision on the screen.