The science fiction classic2001: A Space Odysseywas released 50 years ago.
Working with him was an extraordinary experience, says Dullea.
You couldnt help but realize you were in the presence of genius.
Just to see the concept happen before your eyes.
I was arriving at these sets that made Disneyland look like a country fair.
But I had no idea I was being considered until my agent called me.
He said, Are you sitting down?
Youve just been offered the lead in Stanley Kubricks next film.
It was that simple.
The Canadian actor Douglas Rain would ultimately voice the computer, HAL.
But quite soon after shooting began, Stanley decided he didnt want a British voice.
Thats a pretty good Michael Caine youre doing there.It was a little like Michael Caine.
What did you think when you saw the finished film?It blew my mind.
Thats kind of how I felt about it when I first saw the film.
The movie divided critics.
People walked out, particularly in L.A. Rock Hudson walked out.
Anyway, it became a huge success, as we all know.
The film has been so influential in the science fiction genre.
Without2001, there might not beStar Wars, there might not beAlien.
The recentAnnihilationclearly owes a debt to the film.
When you watch sci-fi films do you think, We did this 50 years ago!
[Laughs] Well, theres always new aspects to these films.
Everything you see in that film was done physically, which is amazing.
Ive been doing theater, Ive been doing films.
In fact, HBO has done a remake ofFahrenheit 451with Michael Shannon, I play a cameo in that.
So, Im still working!
Watch the trailer for2001: A Space Odysseyabove.
