“Chinatown” is a film that has transcended its initial success to become a cornerstone of cinematic history. Released on June 20, 1974, the noir classic was a triumph for producer Robert Evans, director Roman Polanski, and screenwriter Robert Towne. The film earned an Academy Award for Towne and Oscar nominations for stars Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway.
Towne’s script, a dark exploration of greed in 1930s Los Angeles, is often hailed as one of the greatest screenplays ever written. Its haunting ending, where Nicholson’s detective J.J. Gittes witnesses a tragic miscarriage of justice in Chinatown, has become iconic. Interestingly, Towne initially opposed this ending, envisioning a more triumphant conclusion for Gittes. However, he has since come to appreciate Polanski’s vision.
Now in his 80s, Towne is revisiting “Chinatown” with a prequel series for Netflix, collaborating with director David Fincher. The series will delve into Gittes’ early days as a detective in Chinatown, exploring the events that shaped his cynical outlook. Towne confirmed that all episodes have been written, describing the experience of working with Fincher as enlightening.
The prequel will also explore Gittes’ relationship with fellow officer Lou Escobar, a character who was more of an obstacle than an ally in the original film. Towne believes that understanding Gittes’ backstory, including his friendship with Escobar, is crucial to understanding his character.
This Netflix series isn’t Towne’s first attempt to expand the “Chinatown” universe. He previously wrote a sequel, “The Two Jakes,” directed by Nicholson and released in 1990. The film, set in 1948, follows Gittes as he uncovers a new real estate conspiracy. Despite its mixed reviews and box office failure, the sequel was intended to be part of a trilogy, with a potential third film titled “Gittes vs. Gittes.”
Towne has always been influenced by Nicholson in his writing. The two have a long history, dating back to a performance class in the late 1950s. Towne wrote the character of Gittes with Nicholson in mind, believing that no one else could embody the role.
As the film industry evolves, Towne remains committed to storytelling. He acknowledges that while audiences have become more sophisticated, the desire for compelling stories remains unchanged.
Source: Variety
