Before the UK success of Hot Fuzz: Super Cops (2007), the now cult filmmaker Edgar Wright was already planning the adaptation of Scott Pilgrim, a comic of which only one volume (of six) had been released in the United States. This happened in 2004, after one of its producers gave it the first episode, Scott’s Pilgrim Precious Little Life, a week after its publication. We would later learn that Wright did not read it immediately, his main producer, Nira Park, with whom he also made The despair of the dead told to PREMIERE Cinema: “He was not interested in making an adaptation, he wanted to work with his own material.” But it was the tone of the story that convinced the Englishman, as he himself would confirm to us years later on the Toronto set:
“It reminded me of Spaced —television series that he directed from 1999 to 2001—. It was an opportunity to adapt a different graphic novel. Generally they are more serious, but here there was more comedy and I was attracted to the visual part,” Wright said.
His plan was to combine a romantic comedy with action, also adding the madness of the comics created by Canadian Bryan Lee O’Malley.
PRESS START
With only one book published, Edgar took on the task of meeting with the author to find out the future of the saga. Actor Michael Bacall joined the team, but this time as co-writer: “It was complicated because we didn’t have a sketch of ex-boyfriends. But Bryan always sent us the things he worked on.”
There was an interesting synergy with the trio, because as the books changed, so did the script. Even some dialogue from the film remained in the comics. The director adds: “Bryan very kindly asked us for permission and, of course, the answer was yes. What is ours is yours.
That’s why, Scott Pilgrim vs. the exes of the girl of his dreams It is, in principle, one of the most faithful adaptations to its original source, which means that the personality of the books is captured down to the last detail. Although we have a warning for the most purist fans: there are modifications that even affect its outcome. But it was assumed that volume six would be released only a month before the film’s US premiere. For non-purists, the premise is the same: Scott must fight Ramona Flowers’ seven evil ex-boyfriends to be with her.
SELECT THE PLAYER
The casting process, although long, did not have any major complications, as Nira explains to us: “We were aware that finding the right people would take time.” In the case of Michael Cera, who plays the hero-loser of the film, Scott Pilgrim, he was chosen since 2004, but was almost discarded because he was too young to play it, he was only 16 years old.
Fortunately, by the time the production began filming in March 2009, the actor, already 20 years old, was the perfect choice for the role. For the rest of the cast, the decisions were also unanimous: “Every time the right person came in to read for the character, we all knew it,” he concludes about the attractive ensemble.
Getting them ready for action was the responsibility of Max White (300), who trained the actors in sword duels. But not only that, months before starting there were kung fu classes, stunts, cardiovascular exercise and even skating. Of course, the war wounds were present, “I had some accidents skating, my instructor told me to jump higher and when I wanted to show off more… I lost,” recalls Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who plays the coveted Ramona. In fact, the omnipresence of it gives an unusual girl power to the tape.
“She is badass, but at the same time enigmatic and attracts people without trying,” the actress would describe her. “She doesn’t force anyone to notice her, she just is who she is: cool and distant.”
FIGHT!
But the great challenge of Scott Pilgrim is to be a film aimed at a niche that understands all the influences ranging from Sonic the Hedgebog until Yu-Gi-Oh!since only the generations that know them will enjoy the impossibilities that the screen illustrates (or how would they explain it to a non-gamer why enemies become coins, what is a 1UP or the aesthetics of the fighting games?).
Unfortunately, even with all the buzz On the Internet, the response from the American public was not what was expected: it debuted in fifth place at the box office with only $10 million. In fact, it was almost sent straight to video in Mexico. However, some enthusiasts within the distributor and national fans opposed this sad fate. Proof was the Facebook group “We want to see Scott Pilgrim in Mexico on October 8,” which had almost 1,500 people. Although it did not reach that date, it contributed to its release in theaters. Although to be honest, Edgar Wright’s films have never done well here, perhaps that’s why it only opened with 26 copies for a national tour.
This project, which lasted six years from its conception to the premiere, can reach cult status, very similar in criticism and results to those of Kick Ass, which accompanies her in what seems to be a new phenomenon: creating expectations on the Internet does not always represent a great entry at the box office. Now it only remains to see how many more appreciate such a different film, which could only exist with the vision of this creative union of artists… and of course, the fans of Scott Pilgrim in every city.
A version of this article was first published in Cine PREMIERE #194 in December 2010.
Clara Itzel Hernández Valladares Clara Itzel is a junkie communicator of animals, TV, cinema, books, tattoos, pop culture, tea & coffee. You can follow her on Instagram (@MissClaraItzel) and read at ElMoodRandom.com