Sharon Stone’s Take On Raimi vs. Scorsese: A Question Of Loyalty

Dan Lalonde
Dec 3, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Dec 4, 2024

Sharon Stone, known for her unfiltered candor and legendary career, made waves during the Torino Film Festival this week. At a panel tied to a special screening of the Sam Raimi-directed 1995 western The Quick and the Dead, Stone reflected on her experiences working with Raimi and Martin Scorsese, two iconic directors she has collaborated with in the past. Her comments drew attention for their blunt critique and intriguing insights.

The Loyalty Debate

Stone lauded Raimi’s filmmaking skills but criticized what she perceived as a lack of loyalty and connection post-collaboration:

“Sam was a kid and he doesn’t have loyalty, he doesn’t have family, he didn’t ever talk to me again, he didn’t thank me, he didn’t hire me again, he didn’t acknowledge the relationship. Marty… because I worked so hard and admired him so much, our relationship continues to today.”

The remark contrasts sharply with Raimi’s reputation as a collaborative filmmaker with strong ties to his crew and family, including his brothers Ted and Ivan, who frequently contribute to his projects.

Stone’s Role as a Producer

Stone emphasized her pivotal role as a producer on The Quick and the Dead, claiming credit for assembling its star-studded cast and elevating Raimi’s career from “B movies to A movies.” She highlighted her decisions to bring in then-rising stars Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, shaping their early Hollywood trajectories.

Raising Eyebrows

While Stone’s comments about loyalty resonated with some as a candid recounting of her experiences, they also sparked confusion and debate. Raimi, celebrated as one of Hollywood’s friendliest directors, has a well-known track record of maintaining long-term professional relationships. Similarly, Stone’s ongoing collaboration with Scorsese has been relatively limited, raising questions about her perspective on loyalty.

Stone’s bold statements, while divisive, underscore her enduring passion for the craft and the complexities of navigating professional relationships in Hollywood. As the festival clip gains traction online, it adds another layer to the discussion of what loyalty truly means in the film industry.