Yahoo Movies The end of Alfonso Cuarón's 'Gravity' was almost very different indeed
The conclusion of Alfonso Cuarón’s heart-stopping Gravity saw an exhausted, traumatised Sandra Bullock crash landing on Earth against all the odds.
It was a singular cinematic moment, with Bullock’s astronaut Dr Ryan Stone standing on her own two feet after landing in a lake and somehow finding the strength to drag herself to the surface.
But according to Cuarón’s pal Guillermo Del Toro, the studio behind the multi-Oscar winner, Warner Bros, wanted the actress to be ‘rescued’ at the end.
But Cuarón refused repeated notes from executives, who gradually toned down their requests from helicopters in the distance, to a crackling assistance on the radio.
Instead, he kept Bullock’s moment all about her. And it’s kind of the point of the film.
Del Toro revealed the back and forth between the studio in an exchange on Twitter.
Cuaron often uses the Ocean in a metaphorical way: Children of Men, Roma, Y Tu Mama Tambien, etc
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 14, 2019
And the great ending of Gravity… The studio was pressuring Alfonso to "show" helicopters in the sky, coming to rescue Sandra Bullock's character. He said "no". Emerging from the water was the triumph, touching the earth- standing…
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 14, 2019
The studio then said: "Ok what about hearing the helicopters?" Alfonso, once more, said "no". The studio then suggested adding a radio giving her coordinates, promising help. Alfonso said "no". Once more an ending made of Air, land and water.
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 14, 2019
The movie, as Cuarón envisaged it, ended up being nominated for 10 Oscars, with the Mexican helmsman winning for Best Director.
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