Ridley Scott Concludes Interview by Saying 'I Miss My Brother,' 12 Years After Director Tony Scott's Death

11/07/2024 11:43 AM

"Tony was always interested in today," the 'Gladiator II' director also reflected of his and his late brother's different filmmaking tastes

Ridley Scott is still feeling the loss of his brother, director Tony Scott.

At the end of a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Gladiator II director had a heartbreaking answer when asked if he had anything else to add to the discussion: "I miss my brother," said Ridley, 86.

Tony, known for directing Top Gun, Man on Fire and more, was 68 when he died by suicide on Aug. 19, 2012. He is survived by now-24-year-old twin sons, Max and Frank, with wife Donna, and his older brother, fellow producer-director and business partner Ridley.

During his interview with THR, Ridley reflected on watching Top Gun: Maverick, saying it wasn't weird to see Joseph Kosinski as director after Tony helmed the original 1986 film.

"They asked me to [direct] it and I said, 'I don't want to follow my brother,' " he said.

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Besides, their styles are much different. "Tony was always interested in today. A lot of my stuff is either historic, fantasy or science-fiction," Ridley said. "Tony didn't like fantasy — things like Alien or Blade Runner or Legend."

"By the way, few people saw Legend, but Tim Curry was fantastic in it," he added.

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Ridley previously opened up about the loss of his brother to Variety in 2014, revealing that Tony had been fighting cancer privately.

"Tony had been very unwell, actually, and that's the moment I realized I had to get very close to him again, though we were always close," he said at the time.

Added the director, "I miss a friend. I'd go to him even when he was doing his recovery, and I'd say, 'F--- the chemo, have a vodka martini,' and he and I would go out."

A little over a year later, Ridley honored his sibling at the 2016 Golden Globe Awards, including Tony in his acceptance speech for best motion picture - musical or comedy, for The Martian.

"My brother Tony would have been here tonight for sure, and I know many of you knew and loved him," he said at the time, per Entertainment Weekly. "I miss you, Tony."

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.