Article By Elena Torres
The pimples, the tacky fashion, the embarrassing haircuts. Imagine if Steven Spielberg saw YOU during that painfully awkward high school phase.
In a way, that’s kind of what happened to actor/writer/director Vin Diesel eleven years ago at the Sundance Film Festival. Spielberg saw the star’s first film “Strays” and went on to cast the man who would be Riddick in “Saving Private Ryan,” jump-starting the actor’s career.
“You look back to the beginning and your first work…I think it’s like looking at a high school yearbook,” Diesel laughed of the new-to-DVD “Strays.”
In the end, however, it seems like the awkward experience of youth ended up working to Diesel’s advantage. Spielberg saying Diesel had a groundbreaking approach to filmmaking? Just poor financial planning, Vin acknowledged.
“When I shot this movie, we were on such a shoestring budget. We had four weeks scheduled to shoot and at the end of the third week, we were told that we had no more money and that we wouldn’t be able to do the last twenty-five percent of [the flick],” Diesel recalled. “So that night, I went back home and rewrote the script. There was actually going to be a different ending to this movie. [But what we wound up with] all came out of this kind of last-minute request to wrap up the whole picture in day.”
That ending? “Intimacy with a woman,” Diesel teased.
Oh boy. We all know what Steven thinks. What do you make of Vin Diesel’s “Strays”? Sound off below.
February 5th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
i thought this was very interesting and I love the mans work no matter what.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:47 am
From “Strays” to upcoming “Babylon A.D.” Vin Diesel puts his “all” into his performances. From the awkward feelings of “Strays” to the voice of “The Iron Giant,” “The Pacifier” to “xXx.” They were all performed by a perfectionist who can be a troubled teen, a convicted murderer, and the voice for a child’s enjoyment. He has the ability to bring it all to the screen for all ages to enjoy. Therefore, you know what to expect from his first film to the last film he will make.
Lastly, speaking for women like myself who think he is a beautiful man, which means pleasing to the senses. Yes, men can be beautiful. I would love to see Vin Diesel in a Romantic Comedy. He has what it takes, the world has him typed as a tuff guy only, take a closer look into his eyes, there is more to him than the muscles.
February 8th, 2008 at 2:39 am
Mr. Diesel’s brings back the old way of acting. he is a method actor, and his abilty to act is absolutely fabulous. He can work in all levels of acting. The movie Strays shows him at the begining of his interesting career. It also, gives us a bit of look into his life as he grew up. We see him through his eyes and what went on in New York at the time. The wide variety of people who work with him were intellegent and meaningful actors.
I find Mr. Diesel a wonderful actor and all his movies have given me such enjoyment. I truely look forward to watching his progress in the future.
Thank you vin for all the enjoyment you have given me and all your fans….
Stacey
February 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
i think vin diesel did a lot of work on his films and his film stary which he did a lot so sport vin diesel and his hard work buy
February 28th, 2008 at 6:25 am
I am from Belgium, And all the films that i saw, were very good, here is it a litle bit difficult for receiving the films.
But he can work in all levels of acting
I truely look forward to watching his progress in the future.
Kindly
Sandra
March 4th, 2008 at 11:48 am
I just recently purchased Strays, It is a very down to earth and realistic look at life as a young single in the modern world. He has such charisma that you cant help but love him. His muscles are a super bonus, and that come hither smile is enough to make you melt. Love you Vin, hope you make lots of movies in the near future. It has killed me having to wait so long in beween the last two!! Jan
March 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
hello to all specially to vin, I am of venezuela and he/she wanted to know when vin will be in the country of republic of the Dominican Republic and also where this located its foundation, I want to congratulate him since he/she is a person that he loves to help people that doesn’t have resources, he/she is a man of good heart I love its movies I hope it continues him going very well in its career and that God blesses him to the and its family. plis responds me to my mail.
March 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi! I’m from Romania. I think Mark Sinclair Vincent/ vin diesel is a very hard working person and serious in what he is doing. He fights with his age and times to continue his career because he has started late. I respect him so much for his will and power. I hope he will make a lot of movie and play a lot of characters in future. We love see him on screen and hear his sexy voice.
Never give up, Vinnie!
Dana
March 17th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Falling petalls
March 26th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Witam:)
Mam na imie Monika i jestem z Polski…Muszę przyznac że wszystkie filmy z Panem “V” sa super,oby było ich jak najwięcej:)
Pnie “V” do wszystkiego co Pan robi,wkłada Pan całe serce i to widać:) Życzę samych sukcesów i radzę troszkę częściej odpoczywać:)
Pozdrawiam
M
March 31st, 2008 at 10:01 pm
VIN DIESEL IS AN EXAMPLE FOR MY BI RACIAL SON TO LOOK AND ASPIRE TO. I LOVE HIS WORK CHARACTER AND DRIVE. I WISH I COULD MEET HIM AND TELL HOW MUCH HIS WORK HAS MEANT TO MY LIFE MY BIRACIAL MARRIAGE AND SON AND HOPE HE KEEP UP THE WORK!