He leaves behind major blockbusters of the 1990s. German director Wolfgang Petersen, particularly known for his films Troy and The never-ending story and for having directed world stars such as Clint Eastwood, George Clooney, Harrison Ford or even Brad Pitt, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.
The one who had achieved success in 1983 with two Oscar nominations for Das Boota thriller whose plot takes place aboard a submarine during World War II, died at his home in Los Angeles in the arms of his wife, said a spokesperson.
The following year his first film in English was released, The never-ending storyadaptation of a children’s literature success telling the adventures of a young boy who steals a novel from a bookstore, before being propelled into the story of the book.
Action movies and disasters
He then directed action films, including In the line of sightwith Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich, and then Air Force One, with Harrison Ford who plays an American president who tries to regain control of the presidential plane taken hostage by terrorists. A cardboard worldwide, which collected nearly 350 billion dollars at the box office.
Like his friend Roland Emmerich, he tries his hand at disaster film with In the middle of a storm, with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. Despite Brad Pitt’s muscular calves, his peplum Troy leaves a taste of unfinished business, four years later Gladiator.
Actress Glenn Close, who starred alongside Harrison Ford in Air Force One, told AFP in a statement that having been led by Wolfgang Petersen “remains a special memory”. “Even though the script was thrilling and incredibly intense, I remember lots of laughs, especially during the scenes around the huge table in the War Room,” she said. “My memory is that of a man full of joy of living (in French in the press release) who was doing what he liked to do the most, ”said the actress again.