Sharon Stone slams directorSam Raimi29 years after starring in and producing his 1995 Western movie. 1995 was a big year for Stone, both as an actor and producer. On the performing side, the star garnered her only career Oscar nomination for playing Ginger McKenna inMartin Scorsese’sCasino. Behind-the-camera, Stone acted as producer on one of the year’s quirkier movies, an action-packed Western directed by Raimi starring her alongside Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Quick and the Deadgave Stone her first producing credit while giving Raimi’s career a boost, butStone says Raimi didn’t do right by her after the film was finished, accusing the filmmaker of being disloyal. Stone had occasion to discuss her off-beat Western while presenting the movie at the Torino Film Festival, and when it came to Raimi, she didn’t hold back. Stone slammed her one-time director, while heaping praise onCasinodirector Scorsese (viaIndieWire):
In Sam Raimi’s case, I really liked his films. I thought he was very intelligent and very funny, different from Marty because [Marty is] Italian, he has loyalty, he has that family feeling, and because of it Marty and I still have a relationship and because of it Marty and I still work together. Sam was a kid and he doesn’t have loyalty, he doesn’t have family, he didn’t ever talk to me again, he didn’t thank me, he didn’t hire me again, he didn’t acknowledge the relationship. Marty, because I worked so hard and because I admired him so much our relationship continues to today, there is depth there.
The Movie Didn’t Make Much Of An Impression When It Was Released
The Quick and the Deadisn’t the first film that comes to mind when considering Stone orRaimi’s filmography. The frenetic, oddball Western about a quick-draw contest between a motley collection of gunslingers, including Stone’s vengeance-seeking Ellen, is mostly notable for its cast, which boasts the legendary Hackman alongside then-newcomers Crowe and DiCaprio.Critics were divided on the movie, as reflected in its 58% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was also a failure at the box office, grossing just $18 million on a reported $32 million budget.
Stone’s characterization of Raimi makes him look ungrateful and, even worse in Stone’s eyes, disloyal.
Stone recently presentedThe Quick and the Deadat a film festival, which meansthe movie still has a following today, but its overall legacy is rather minor. Though it undoubtedly bears Raimi’s directorial stamp, it doesn’t feel like one of the filmmaker’s essential works. Its significance in Raimi’s career is as a stepping stone from low-budget movies likeThe Evil Deadto the bigger-budget films he would make later, including thefirstSpider-Mantrilogy. For Stone, the film represented a chance to produce, but her performance in it is not among her most memorable.
Our Take On Stone’s Raimi Remarks
Comparing Anyone To Scorsese Is A Little Unfair
Stone takes credit for giving Raimi a great opportunity onThe Quick and the Dead, andslams him for not returning the favor by hiring her for one of his later big-studio movies. Stone’s characterization of Raimi makes him look ungrateful and, even worse in Stone’s eyes, disloyal. As a contrast to Raimi, Stone holds up herCasinodirector Scorseseas an example of a collaborator who shows true loyalty and friendship.
Stone’s story doesn’t reflect well on Raimi, even if he was young at the timeThe Quick and the Deadwas made. All the same, it’s somewhat unfair for her to compare Raimi to Scorsese.Few filmmakers are going to look good alongside Scorsese, who commands huge respect and admiration in the movie world. Ultimately, Stone’s remarks don’t help or hurtRaimi. The director’s side of the story would nonetheless be interesting to hear, even if it’s been nearly 30 years since he worked with Stone.
The Quick and the Dead
Cast
The Quick and the Dead, directed by Sam Raimi, is a Western film released in 1995. It stars Sharon Stone as Ellen, a mysterious gunslinger who arrives in the town of Redemption to enter a quick-draw competition. The film features a strong ensemble cast including Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, and Leonardo DiCaprio, and delves into themes of revenge and justice in a lawless town.
