Runaway (1984 American film): Difference between revisions

Crichton said the film "is not a cautionary tale" about technology but "an updated police story with every police cliche turned a bit. This is a movie, at least in part, about the difference between people and machines. We tried very hard to keep perspective. Machines are so visually interesting that a lot of times they threaten to take over a film."<ref name="globe">{{cite news|title=Crichton's talents run from medicine to movies|author=Lekich, John|work=The Globe and Mail|date=28 Dec 1984|page=E.1}}</ref>

The star was [[Tom Selleck]] who had had a small role in Crichton's film ''[[Coma (1978 film)|Coma]]'' and since became a star on TV in ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''. HeSelleck later said, "With my TV series, I don't have the luxury of taking on a lot of projects. So when I got offered a movie and the timing's right, I say yes. I keep thinking if I don't say yes, then everyone will go away. And being a fan of Michael Crichton's helped, because I'm really very nervous doing this. I need my confidence built as much as anybody. It's a strange business. I like to grow in my parts, this was a risk in some ways."<ref name="film"/>

The film marked the first feature acting role for rock star Gene Simmons (he had been in ''[[Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park]]''). Simmons had been interested in acting for a while, and had studied it since 1981. He turned down a TV series which wanted to exploit his KISS fame as well as parts in ''Flashdance'' and ''Dr. Detroit'' because "Ihe "wasn't interested in musicals or comedy. I wanted to start out in something serious. I understand brooding characters more than I do splashy people."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kiss Star Puts On 'Heavy' Makeup|author=Mills, Bart|work=Los Angeles Times |date=Aug 19, 1984|page=t86}}</ref> He was offered the part after meeting Michael Crichton and did not have to read for it.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Simmons to co-star in his first movie|work=Chicago Tribune |date=Aug 2, 1984|page=n11F}}</ref>

Filming took place from 29 May to August 1984 in Vancouver while star [[Tom Selleck]] was on a break from ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''.