Sharon Stone reached the height of her fame in the 1990s, becoming a co-producer for the film Dead or Alive and selecting Sam Raimi as director. Despite her admiration for his talent, she expressed disappointment over their professional relationship. After the film’s poor box office reception, Stone faced significant challenges in pursuing directing opportunities, largely due to the sexism prevalent in Hollywood at the time. Dead or Alive tells the story of a deadly tournament overseen by a tyrannical ruler.
Sharon Stone’s Rise in Hollywood
In 1995, actress Sharon Stone was enjoying the pinnacle of her fame, thanks to her iconic roles in films such as Basic Instinct, Total Recall, and Sliver. When TriStar Studios decided to embark on the western project Dead or Alive, they elevated Stone’s involvement by appointing her as a co-producer for the film.
A Surprising Choice of Director
With her newfound influence, Stone had the opportunity to select her collaborators and the film’s director. The studio provided her with a list of potential filmmakers, but she had her sights set on one name: Sam Raimi. At that time, Raimi was primarily recognized for his work on the horror trilogy Evil Dead and the film Darkman, which was a departure from the western genre.
When Raimi received the call from Stone, he was taken aback. “I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to call her back and ask if she was sure she had called the right person. But I didn’t do it,” he later shared.
During a press conference at the Torino Film Festival, Stone reflected on her experience working with Raimi. “I had my fantastic Italian director of photography, Dante Spinotti, by my side, and I was fortunate enough to produce Dead or Alive and cast the film. Sam Raimi was someone I helped transition from B-movies to A-movies, later directing Spider-Man and becoming a major blockbuster director,” she reminisced.
Stone also noted her keen eye for talent, having brought Russell Crowe from Australia before his rise in Gladiator and giving Leonardo DiCaprio a leading role prior to Titanic.
However, her assessment of Raimi was mixed. “I found him very smart and funny, but unlike Martin Scorsese, who has a strong sense of loyalty and family, Sam was more like a kid and didn’t maintain our connection,” she commented.
Despite her admiration for Raimi’s work, she expressed disappointment in their professional relationship, stating, “He never spoke to me again, didn’t thank me, and didn’t consider our time together.” In contrast, she praised Scorsese, highlighting their deep and ongoing collaboration.
Unfortunately, Dead or Alive did not perform well at the box office, grossing only 18 million dollars against a budget of 32 million. Over time, it gained a cult following through home video releases.
The Challenge of Sexism in Hollywood
Following the film’s lackluster performance, Stone faced obstacles in her aspirations to direct. She attributed much of her struggle to the pervasive sexism in Hollywood. “After producing Dead or Alive, I approached the studio with a new project, complete with a budget of 14 million dollars, a script, and music, but was met with resistance,” she explained.
She recalled being told that her pitch was the best they had ever heard, yet the underlying issue remained: a woman directing was still seen as a challenge. “In the 90s and early 2000s, the pushback against women in leadership roles was significant, which ultimately hindered my return to directing,” she lamented.
Stone felt her talents were being underutilized as she tried to convince studio executives to allow her to take the helm. “They asked me to assist in casting films instead, something I excelled at, but the struggle for women to gain proper recognition in positions of power was immense,” she asserted.
As a brief overview, Dead or Alive features Gene Hackman as John Herod, a tyrannical ruler of the town of Redemption, who organizes an annual tournament of deadly duels. Historically, he has always claimed the prize for himself, but when Sharon Stone’s character, Ellen, a mysterious newcomer, enters the competition, the stakes are raised, and the plot takes a dramatic turn.