Ridley Scott continues to feel the profound absence of his brother, filmmaker Tony Scott. During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ridley, now 86, shared a poignant response when asked if he had any final thoughts: “I miss my brother.”
Tony, best known for directing iconic films like Top Gun and Man on Fire, was 68 when he passed away by suicide on August 19, 2012, leaving behind his wife Donna, twin sons Max and Frank, and his older brother, Ridley, who was both a collaborator and close friend.
Tony Scott’s Influence Endures as Ridley Scott Remembers His Beloved Brother
Reflecting on Top Gun: Maverick, Ridley noted he didn’t find it odd to see Joseph Kosinski directing the sequel to Tony’s 1986 hit. When originally asked to take on the project himself, he declined, saying, “I don’t want to follow my brother.”
Their directorial styles also differed considerably. “Tony focused on the present day, while I gravitate towards historical, fantasy, or sci-fi themes,” Ridley observed. He recalled Tony’s disinterest in fantastical projects like Alien or Blade Runner, noting that Tony preferred realism over genres like fantasy.
Ridley also mentioned Legend, an under-the-radar film where he praised Tim Curry’s performance, a hidden gem from his own filmography. In a 2014 interview with Variety, Ridley previously opened up about Tony’s battle with cancer, revealing how the illness strengthened their already close bond.
“Tony had been very unwell,” Ridley said, explaining how he sought to support him through humor and companionship, even encouraging him to enjoy a vodka martini despite his treatments.
A little over a year after Tony’s passing, Ridley paid tribute to him at the 2016 Golden Globes while accepting an award for The Martian, remarking that Tony would have been there if he could and expressing to the audience, “I miss you, Tony.”
