Ridley Scott reflected on the tragic loss of his director brother Tony in an emotional new interview, 12 years after his suicide at age 68.
The Gladiator and Alien director, 86, became emotional as he remembered his younger brother, known for directing iconic films such as Top Gun, Enemy of the State and Man on Fire.
The English filmmaker died on August 19, 2012 when jumped from the Vincent Thomas Bridge in California after writing a suicide note.
In 2014, Ridley revealed that his brother had been fighting a “long battle with cancer” and called his death “inexplicable” saying: “Tony had been very ill, actually, and that was the moment I realized that I had to be very close to him again. , although we were always united.’
talking to THR This week, ahead of the release of Gladiator 2, Ridley was asked if there was anything he’d like to add, and the film icon responded, “I miss my brother.”
Ridley Scott reflected on the tragic loss of his director brother Tony in an emotional new interview, 12 years after his suicide at age 68, photographed together in 2010.
Scott was known for directing iconic films like Top Gun (pictured with Tom Cruise in 1986).
He revealed that he was asked to direct Top Gun: Maverick but refused as ‘I don’t want to follow my brother.
‘Tony was always interested in today. A lot of my stuff is historical, fantasy or science fiction. Tony didn’t like fantasy, things like Alien, Blade Runner or Legend.
Ridley previously paid tribute to his brother, telling Variety: ‘I miss a friend. I’d go see him even when he was recovering and I’d say, “Fuck chemo, have a vodka martini,” and he and I would go out.
Tony left behind his twin sons, who were 12 at the time, and his wife Donna, a model and actress who had appeared in some of his films.
His death came just weeks after he was photographed looking hurt as he left a Beverly Hills restaurant on July 23, 2012, but friends denied he was having problems in his marriage to wife Donna.
In 2012, his family told coroners that the British-born filmmaker did not have brain cancer or any serious illness when he jumped to his death.
Craig Harvey, the coroner’s chief of operations, also said the autopsy revealed that Scott had no obvious signs of a brain tumor.
Tom Cruise paid tribute by calling Tony ‘a creative visionary whose mark on cinema is immeasurable.’
Speaking to THR this week ahead of Gladiator 2’s release, Ridley was asked if he’d like to add anything, and the film icon responded, “I miss my brother,” pictured with Jerry Bruckheimer in 2010.
Tony left behind twin sons, then 12, and his wife Donna, a model and actress who had appeared in some of his films (pictured in 2010).
Tony appears at a Top Gun reunion with Bruckheimer, Cruise and Kelly McGillis in 2010.
He added: “Tony was my dear friend and I will truly miss him… My deepest sorrow and thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Tony was the first of the Scott brothers to enjoy box office success with Top Gun, the highest-grossing film of 1986 with $176 million.
The film, also starring Kelly McGillis and Val Kilmer, was nominated for four Academy Awards and won best song for Take My Breath Away.
Scott re-teamed with Cruise four years later on the hit Days of Thunder and had the Top Gun sequel in development.