In the interview, Speilberg and Cruise both talk about why WOTW and why now, the writing process to bring the project to the big screen, and what we can expect from this version. Here’s a little blip of what they had to say:
Although the George Powelll version is considered a classic, a lot of people today are bothered by the “God Saved Us” ending. What have you thought about in terms of your own version of the ending?
SS: We have our own version of the ending that neither strays nor mimics the original book. So I think we’ve hit a very satisfying compromise.
How dark did you want to get?
SS: It doesn’t have the…
TC: Gore…
SS: …the sense of blithe adventure of INDEPENDENCE DAY. It’s not a wonderful kind of gung-ho…it’s not STARSHIP TROOPERS and it’s certainly not INDEPENDENCE DAY, you know? We take it much more seriously than that. The film is ultra-realistic, as ultra-realistic as I’ve ever attempted to make a movie, in terms of its documentary style. But at the same time, it’s full of the kind of Hollywood production values that the audience is demanding these days. And I think it’s the combination, the blend, of these huge events visually and this kind of documentary story, personal story at the center of it, that gives it this very unique–
SS: Yes.
Aliens practical or CG?
SS: That’s the only secret I’m going to give you, because you know what?
TC: I was shocked that you said that.
SS: I know.
TC: I was shocked. I went, “He just said that!”
SS: I know.
So there you have it- tripod like machines, realistic action/violence without a lot of the gore- basically doing what Speilberg does best. I must say the entire interview intrigued me, and made me that much more excited for the flim’s summer release.
Be sure to check out the entire interview by clicking HERE.