Producer Scott Steindorff slams the director, calling her 'irresponsible' for walking out of the project at the last minute.
- Mar 20, 2013
AceShowbiz - Natalie Portman's indie drama "Jane Got a Gun" was forced to delay the production as director Lynne Ramsay didn't show up on the first day of filming. Scott Steindorff, who produces the movie with Portman, Joel Edgerton, Jude Law and Rodrigo Santoro, assures the project will not be scrapped. They are rushing to find a replacement as the cast are rehearsing the scenes.
"I'm shocked and so disappointed someone would do this to 150 crew members who devoted so much time, energy, commitment and loyalty to a project, and then have the director not show up. It is insane somebody would do this to other people. I feel more for the crew and their families, but we are keeping the show going on, directors are flying in, and a replacement is imminent," the producer told Deadline.
Steindorff, who finances the movie through his Scott Pictures label, said, "I have millions of dollars invested, we're ready to shoot, we have a great script, crew and cast." He revealed that Ramsay had a "pay or play" deal, "[Litigator] Marty Singer has been retained. My focus is on making this movie, but I will protect all my rights. This comes down to an irresponsible act by one person."
In the western drama, Portman portrays the farmer wife of an outlaw husband, who, after his gang turns on him, must defend herself with the help of an old lover. Michael Fassbender was previously attached to co-star the "Thor" leading lady as the old lover but he withdrew from the project due to scheduling conflicts.
Ramsay hasn't made comment about her abrupt exit.
