Michael Douglas Recalls a Tough Lesson from Oliver Stone on 'Wall Street'
Michael Douglas, the legendary actor known for his role as Gordon Gekko in the iconic film 'Wall Street,' shared a memorable encounter with director Oliver Stone during the production of the same film. In a recent interview, Douglas recalled a brutal yet insightful conversation with Stone that occurred during the second week of filming.
According to Douglas, Stone's approach to filmmaking was intense and direct. When Stone knocked on Douglas' door, he delivered a blunt assessment that left a lasting impression. 'He said, 'You okay? Are you doing drugs? Because you look like you’ve never acted before in your life,' Douglas recounted, revealing the director's no-nonsense attitude.
This unexpected critique sparked a deeper conversation. Douglas explained that he was initially hesitant to watch the daily footage, known as 'dailies,' as he tended to focus on what was wrong or missing. However, Stone's feedback encouraged him to reevaluate his approach.
'So I said, 'Well, I don’t like to look at the dailies because I’m one of those guys that always sees what’s wrong or what’s not going to be in the film... so I don’t pay attention to the dailies,' Douglas recalled telling Stone. 'So I said, 'I guess I’d better take a look,’ and he said, 'Yeah, you better.''
Douglas then delved into the editing room, analyzing two crucial scenes, including his memorable limo scene with Charlie Sheen. Despite his initial reservations, Douglas found himself agreeing with Stone's insights. 'And I’m looking at them really hard, and critically, and they seemed pretty good,' he remembered.
This experience proved to be a turning point for Douglas. Stone's guidance helped him tap into Gekko's darker traits, such as his 'nastiness,' 'vengeance,' and 'meanness,' resulting in a more nuanced and compelling performance. 'He was willing for me to hate his guts for the rest of this movie to get that extra little push,' Douglas explained.
The actor also praised Stone's ability to bring out the best in other actors. He mentioned how Stone had helped James Woods in 'Salvador,' Tom Cruise in 'Born on the Fourth of July,' and Kevin Costner in 'JFK.' Douglas expressed his gratitude for Stone's mentorship, stating, 'His record of successes with actors is quite impressive.'
The success of 'Wall Street' led to a sequel, 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,' released in 2010, further solidifying the partnership between Douglas and Stone. Douglas' performance in the original film earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1988, and the sequel continued to explore the complex world of corporate greed and power.
