Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein were determined to create Final Destination Bloodlines, going to great lengths to secure the job. Their unique pitch involved a dramatic illusion where each of them was “killed” in a Final Destination-style manner during a Zoom presentation. This creativity ultimately landed them the directing gig for the film.
The duo first crossed paths as contestants on the reality show On the Lot, produced by Steven Spielberg. Despite not winning, they developed a strong friendship and have since built their careers in the industry. With projects in franchises like Dead Rising and Leprechaun, as well as notable films such as Freaks and Disney’s Kim Possible, Lipovsky and Stein have now achieved their first major Hollywood release almost two decades after meeting.
In an interview with io9 in Los Angeles, the directors reflected on their journey through Hollywood. They discussed their excitement for the Final Destination franchise, the involvement of Spider-Man director Jon Watts, and how they elevated Bloodlines to become one of the best entries in the series.
The filmmakers emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience in navigating the industry, highlighting the lessons learned from failures and setbacks. They credited their partnership for providing support and creative collaboration throughout their careers.
When presented with the opportunity to pitch for Final Destination 6, Lipovsky and Stein initially questioned the potential for another installment in the successful franchise. However, they were intrigued by the concept of focusing on a family’s generational connection to death, which inspired them to delve deeper into the project and bring a fresh perspective to the story.
While Jon Watts had laid the foundation for the film, the directors were able to put their stamp on the project by refining the script and shaping the characters and death scenes over the course of their involvement. The core theme of a fractured family facing imminent danger remained central to their vision for the film.
As filmmakers, Lipovsky and Stein appreciated the opportunity to work with top-tier industry professionals and the freedom that came with having a larger budget for the project. Despite the demanding nature of filmmaking, they found fulfillment in collaborating with talented crew members and actors to bring their vision to life. “Having all the toys you ever wanted can be so much fun as a filmmaker, but time and money are always constraints. Building elaborate sets and creating intricate death scenes can be costly, so we try to balance practical effects with visual effects to create a seamless and magical experience for the audience. One scene that changed dramatically was the backyard barbecue scene, which started as a kids’ play place but evolved into a more relatable family setting. Planning red herrings and surprises in advance is crucial to keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. We draw inspiration from other movies to create unexpected and thrilling moments throughout the film.” During the early stages of the process, the decision was made to create a new Final Destination with a fresh approach that deviated from the usual formula. The intention was to surprise fans and keep them guessing about where the story was headed. The introduction of lore and the character of Grandma Iris added depth to the narrative, drawing inspiration from previous films in the franchise. The idea of death bringing premonitions to keep things interesting was explored, with the theory that death enjoys the game of giving clues to potential victims. Working with Tony Todd, who was ill at the time, brought a sense of poignancy to the film, with his final scene being a heartfelt moment that resonated with audiences. Todd’s performance added an unexpected emotional depth to the movie, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. Setelah film studio pertama Anda selesai, dan saya harap ada banyak lagi, tapi apa yang Anda katakan adalah pelajaran terbesar yang kalian ambil dari itu?
Lipovsky: Pelajaran terbesar… Saya pikir hal terbesar yang kami pelajari adalah bahwa Anda tidak pernah ingin kehilangan antusiasme yang sama ketika Anda mulai membuat film kecil dan mempercayai insting Anda pada hal-hal yang Anda pikir akan disukai penonton. Dan hanya mencoba mengabaikan ke-studio-an dari semuanya dan hanya membuat film itu untuk diri Anda yang merupakan penggemar dan menghidupkannya. Dan teruslah pada kegembiraan sinema dan membuat film dengan teman-teman Anda di halaman belakang dan hanya mencoba melakukan itu dengan mainan yang lebih keren dan aktor-aktor yang luar biasa.
Io9: Satu pertanyaan terakhir yang bodoh. Anak kecil di awal. Anda sangat membencinya sekali.
Stein: Ngomong-ngomong, saya suka reaksi teater saat itu. Pertama kalinya kami menayangkannya untuk audiens uji coba dan kami memiliki seseorang melompat dari kursinya dan mengangkat tinjunya ketika [dia mati]. Jadi Anda berada di jalur yang benar. Itu sangat menyenangkan.
io9: Tapi karena itu dalam firasat, apakah kita pernah melihatnya mati lagi dalam kehidupan nyata?
Lipovsky: Ada artikel koran di dinding dan jika Anda mencari judulnya, saya pikir itu mengatakan “Pencopet tertabrak truk pengangkut piano.”
Final Destination Bloodlines sekarang tayang di bioskop.
Ingin lebih banyak berita io9? Lihat kapan mengharapkan rilis Marvel, Star Wars, dan Star Trek, apa yang akan terjadi selanjutnya untuk DC Universe di film dan TV, dan segala hal yang perlu Anda ketahui tentang masa depan Doctor Who.