Sir Ridley Scott, the legendary British director behind Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator, will take part in a special Guardian Readers Interview ahead of a season celebrating his films at BFI Southbank. The 87-year-old filmmaker, who has directed 30 films since his 1977 debut The Duellists, will answer questions about his nearly 50-year career.
The BFI Southbank is staging a celebratory Ridley Scott season this September and October, featuring an in-person Q&A on 5 October. However, Guardian readers have the chance to pose their own questions first, with the director agreeing to participate in the interview. Questions can be submitted until 6pm on Tuesday 19 August, with answers published on 22 August in Film & Music and online.
Scott’s career is marked by bold choices, such as casting Sigourney Weaver as the lead in Alien (1979) and purchasing the rights to Thelma & Louise (1991) for $500,000 after discovering the script by chance. He also turned down Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines to direct Black Hawk Down (2001), and his recent work includes The Martian (2015), Napoleon (2023), and a Gladiator sequel.
Readers are invited to ask about everything from his unorthodox project choices to his time as a set designer on Doctor Who in the 1960s. Does he have a special hotline to Russell Crowe, who has starred in five of his films? What does he consider the best perk of being a Sir? Submit your questions now for a chance to hear from the master of epic cinema.
