Key Takeaways:
– Director Matt Reeves summoned by Steven Spielberg after the release of Cloverfield.
– Spielberg, shockingly, confesses to being terrified by Reeves’ 2008 film.
– Reeves views scaring Spielberg as the “highest compliment.”
– Cloverfield continues to enthrall audiences and critics alike.
Shaping Fear on the Big Screen
Matt Reeves is a master crafter of cinematic experiences, capable of eliciting even the strongest of emotions from his audience. Reeves’ manipulation of the camera lens is art, and his directorial abilities truly worthy of admiration. He may be best known today for his work on Robert Pattinson’s Batman, but Reeves started populating the world of masterpieces long before this. The finest testament to his directorial prowess dates back to 2008 with the release of his movie, Cloverfield.
Cloverfield, a Paramount Pictures production, received much acclaim from the viewers and critics alike. The film was positioned as a reincarnation of The Blair Witch Trails set amidst monsters in New York. Labeling it a ‘scary’ movie would be understating its spine-chilling suspense. Perhaps the best testimony to its nerve-racking narrative comes from the luminary himself, Steven Spielberg, who confessed to being unnerved by its horrors.
Reeves’ Rendezvous with Spielberg
As Cloverfield celebrated its 15th anniversary, Matt Reeves shared snippets from his journey with ComingSoon.net. Among numerous interesting experiences, an unexpected interaction with Spielberg emerged as truly noteworthy.
Reeves, while working on a Star Trek project, received a call from Cloverfield’s producer Bryan Burk, who was also present at the site. Spielberg, who was visiting J.J. Abrams and his team, desired to meet the brain behind Cloverfield. At Spielberg’s request, Burk extended an invitation to Reeves to join them at Paramount Studios.
An Unexpected Compliment
Perceiving a summon from Spielberg, a revered filmmaker in Hollywood, as a great honor, Reeves immediately rushed to Paramount Studios. He recalls being greeted by a crowd of familiar faces and Spielberg helping the writers refine the script. Suddenly, Spielberg turned to Reeves and confessed his fear induced by Cloverfield. This came as a surprise to Reeves who least expected his 2008 film to have spooked Spielberg.
More Proud Than Apologetic
Most people would have recoiled with an immediate wave of apology. Not Reeves. He took pride in his ability to scare a director of Spielberg’s caliber. The affirmation from Spielberg, one of the most esteemed directors globally, certainly acted as a feather in Reeves’ cap.
Expressing his sentiments, Reeves shared, “He turned to me, he goes, ‘Wait, so you directed Cloverfield?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘You scared the hell out of me.’ And I was like, ‘Oh.’ That was awesome. There was no higher compliment I could get than that.”
Indeed, the accolade from Spielberg was not just cool, but downright chilling!
Rediscovering Cloverfield
If Spielberg’s reaction piques your interest in revisiting Cloverfield or embarking on the thrilling journey for the first time, you can stream it on Paramount+.
Spielberg’s unexpected appreciation of Reeves is a testament to the director’s ability to weave thrill and suspense in an unforgettable cinematic experience. This narrative, as narrated by Reeves himself, not only gives us a peek into the dynamics of Hollywood but also reaffirms Cloverfield as the perfect slice of terror.
