Broadcast tonight on France 2, Suddenly Alone was an almost French-American project directed by Thomas Bidegain with Jake Gyllenhaal and Vanessa Kirby! Why did everything go wrong?
Directed by Thomas Bidegain in 2023, Suddenly Lonely introduces us to Ben and Laura, a couple who have been together for 5 years. They left everything to realize their common dream: to circumnavigate the world. After months of navigation, they arrive at a stopover that is as fascinating as it is unsettling: a wild and largely unexplored island lost off the coast of Antarctica.
What should have been a simple stop quickly turned into a shift. As they plunge into the icy lands to explore this hostile territory, a storm of unpredictable violence is unleashed. A few hours later, the sea is stormy, landmarks disappear… and their boat disappears without a trace.
Isolated, without means of communication or safe shelter, Ben and Laura suddenly find themselves alone in the world, faced with an extreme environment where every decision can be fatal. The cold gets worse, winter approaches, and survival becomes a daily struggle against both the elements and one’s own limitations.
Initially, Ben and Laura were not supposed to be played by Gilles Lellouche and Mélanie Thierry, but by Jake Gyllenhaal and Vanessa Kirby. Thomas Bidegain was supposed to direct this project in English called “Suddenly”.
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Jake Gyllenhaal and Red Libre
In December 2023 the magazine Technikart spoke more about the reasons for this turn. Until now, artistic differences have been put forward to justify this change.
During pre-production, production was locked down by Covid, which delayed the project. “The Zoom sessions are increasing and Jake Gyllenhaal seems to be so excited that he ends up co-producing the project. What’s special about the film is that it only has two actors, and the producers are now looking for a big actress to share the screen with Jake.”– Technikart explains.
“Thomas Bidegain approaches Margot Robbiewhich is decreasing Ana de Armas, Jodie Comer. We soon come to a version that suits everyone, and Jake brings in Vanessa Kirby, with whom he starred in Everest“
The project has finally launched with the following cast: Jake Gyllenhaal and Vanessa Kirby. The team moved to Iceland for filming, but difficulties quickly arose.
The situation is worsened by Covid fears, rising tensions, unpredictable behavior, script changes even if they have been confirmed, and deep disagreements over the very meaning of the film. Nothing goes according to plan, a complete fiasco in just 4 days.
For example, Jake Gyllenhaal, scared of Covid, “explodes with rage when he discovers that the construction workers have to come in to set up the decorations. He declares that they should sleep in their cars. He screams, continues to say that he does not need the decorations, demands to see the construction plans, treats everyone as incompetent and finally declares that if this is the case, then he is leaving the project. Tired of these days of negotiations, Thomas Bidegain tells him: go ahead!”
Fatal discrepancies
The day before, Jake went for a walk alone in nature. Then he came across a mare. “Back in the writers’ room, he talks about the unity with nature he felt in that moment and suggests that the film focus on that theme: the love of nature.”
“Soon he’s recording Greta Thunberg’s speech with rock music on his computer,” recalls Thomas Bidegain. “It lasts a quarter of an hour. While listening, he allows himself to cry and comments on his emotions. I cry, I cry, these are real tears!”
After four grueling days, the director called producer Alain Attal to tell him about the events. “I’ll talk to Jake and we’ll agree that there’s no point in insisting, our views are too different. We won’t be able to film in September.” It’s all over, and the 26 million already put into production are gone.
I’m going to talk to Jake, and we agree that there’s no point in pushing, our views are too different.
Finally, the project became Suddenly Lonely and was filmed two years later with Gilles Lellouche and Mélanie Thierry. Vanessa Kirby, however, unsuccessfully tried to buy the script from Thomas Bidegain to direct it with Jake Gyllenhaal.
“I talked to Alain Attal about it and offered to sell it to them.”– recalls Thomas Bidegain. “He answers me: Never in my life, we piss them off, you will rewrite it in French, and we will film with wonderful French actors.” Unfortunately, despite his outstanding qualities, Suddenly Alone would do rather disappointingly at the box office with only 250,000 admissions.