Numerous top stars mourn the loss of Joel Schumacher. Matthew McConaughey even owes his career to the US director, as he now reveals.
US director Joel Schumacher (1939-2020, "Batman Forever") died in New York on Monday at the age of 80. Numerous stars open their grief to the public. Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey (50, "Dallas Buyers Club") finds particularly touching words. After all, he owes his career to him. As a relatively unknown artist at the time, he not only gave him the chance, "he even fought for me", McConaughey recalls in a statement to the industry magazine "Variety".
Schumacher cast McConaughey for the role of the young lawyer Jake Tyler Brigance in the John Grisham film "The Jury" (original: "A Time to Kill") from 1996. However, the two US artists had previously made the test recordings secret , with which Schumacher wanted to prevent McConaughey from being damaged in the event of a rejection by the studio bosses.
Even while filming, Schumacher was always at his side with the simplest and most sensible advice. "My career would not have led me to all these wonderful stations if Joel Schumacher hadn't believed in me at the time," concludes the multi-award-winning US star.
Kiefer Sutherland also owes him a lot
Canadian actor Kiefer Sutherland (53, "24") also left Joel Schumacher's death uncommented. "This morning one of my dearest friends and partners in the film business, Joel Schumacher, died after a long battle with cancer", he writes on Twitter. "His happiness, enthusiasm and talent will live on in my heart and memory for the rest of my life," Sutherland added.
And then he also recalls the collaboration with Schumacher. "Joel gave me opportunities and lifelong tuition by doing films like 'The Lost Boys', 'Flatliners', 'The Jury' and 'Don't Hang Up!' shot ", Sutherland recalls and closes his post with the general statement: Schumacher's influences on modern culture and film would live on forever. "I will miss you, my friend."
Michael Douglas and Nicole Kidman "Heartbroken"
Oscar winner Michael Douglas (75, "Wall Street"), who filmed the black-humorous satire "Falling Down – A Very Normal Day" (1993) with Joel Schumacher, writes on Instagram: "What a loss! Joel, so talented and sensitive. Working with you on 'Falling Down' was one of my best professional experiences. RIP ".
Another Oscar winner is mourning via social media: Australian Nicole Kidman (53, "The Hours: From Eternity to Eternity") shares a photo collage in her Instagram story. On one photo you and the deceased director can be seen at a joint appointment as part of the comic book adaptation "Batman Forever" (1995), on the other while working on the psychological thriller "Trespass" (2011) – Schumacher's penultimate directorial work.
"I am heartbroken. Joel was characterized by intelligence, compassion and humor – a director with a wink, a caring character and many stories to tell. We will miss him," Kidman comments on her post.