Petersen, a German filmmaker, won the most awards in his career for his 1981 World War II epic “Das Boot,” but his career is populated with a number of films that hold a special place in hearts. fans of cult action movies.
After writing and directing the 1984 children’s fantasy film “The NeverEnding Story”, he went on to make a series of action films with some of the biggest stars of their time, such as “In the Line of Fire” (with Clint Eastwood and Rene Russo), “Outbreak” (with Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman and Russo) and “Air Force One” (with Harrison Ford and Glenn Close).
In the 2000s, he continued the trend by directing “The Perfect Storm” with George Clooney and “Troy” with Brad Pitt and “Poseidon”.
“Being directed by Wolfgang on ‘Air Force One’ remains a special memory,” actress Glenn Close said in a statement provided to CNN. “Even though the script was thrilling and incredibly intense, I remember lots of laughs, especially in the scenes around the huge table in the War Room.”
Petersen, she said, would set up a remote-controlled camera that could shoot on location, allowing her to film all of the actors and Petersen would provide clues to them as they were filmed.
“You knew the camera would stop on you by his hilarious direction when setting up the shot. He’d point his finger at us back and say, ‘Play…play…NOT play …NOT to play…DO. .. aaaacting! ‘” she recalled. “He didn’t waste anyone’s time. My memory is that of a man full of joy of living who was doing what he loved doing the most.”
Petersen is survived by his wife, Maria Antoinette, his son Daniel and two grandchildren, according to his spokesperson.