Filmmaker Renny Harlin recently sat down with Collider's Therese Lacson to discuss his latest survival shark movie, "Deep Water," offering a deep dive into his remarkable career journey, the inspirations behind his iconic films, and a glimpse into his upcoming projects. From his humble beginnings in Finland to his unexpected Hollywood breakthrough and subsequent collaborations with legends like Steven Spielberg, Harlin's story is one of unwavering passion and perseverance.

Harlin recounted his early struggles, starting as an 18-year-old in Finland applying to a Master's University film program. Despite initial rejections due to perceived lack of life experience, he gained entry but soon left, finding the teachers "bitter old farts" with a negative outlook. Driven by his love for movies, he moved to Hollywood, a seemingly insane decision for a young Finn. There, he faced severe financial hardship, sleeping on a garage floor next to a BMW, with credit cards canceled, and often only affording 53-cent chunky Campbell's soup once a week. He famously told his mother, who urged him to return home, "Mom, I would rather die than give up on my dream," a testament to his profound dedication.

His breakthrough came with "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master." Clueless about the industry, without an agent, manager, or lawyer, Harlin repeatedly "crashed" New Line Cinema's offices, being thrown out five times. His persistence eventually caught the attention of company founder Bob Shaye, who, perhaps intrigued by Harlin's "insane" Scandinavian nature, invited him to pitch. Harlin presented a large pile of self-drawn storyboards for the movie's dream sequences, featuring wild ideas like a naked girl in a waterbed and characters ending up in a pizza eaten by Freddy. Shaye hired him, a moment that "changed his life."

Even after securing the directing job, Harlin remained penniless, living in a $20-a-night "hooker motel" in Hollywood for a year. The success of "A Nightmare on Elm Street 4" transformed everything. Bob Shaye, initially skeptical, invited Harlin to watch audience reactions on opening day. Harlin, embarrassed by his motel residence, arranged to meet Shaye's limousine at a street corner. Witnessing lines wrapped around the block for his movie at the Pacific Cinema, Harlin realized his life was about to change. The following Monday, he received a call in his motel room from "Mr. Steven Spielberg," who had seen and loved his movie, leading to a meeting that solidified his career, including directing "Die Hard 2."

Reflecting on his thrillers like "Deep Blue Sea" and the new "Deep Water," Harlin clarified his love for the ocean and sharks, emphasizing his involvement in shark conservation efforts, including a movement to stop shark fin soup-making in China. He views sharks as wild animals, not villains. His inspiration for these survival movies stems from a childhood spent watching 1970s disaster films like "Towering Inferno," "Airport," and "The Poseidon Adventure," drawn to the premise of putting relatable characters in impossible situations.

Harlin also shared valuable insights gained from his six years living and working in China, including collaborating with Jackie Chan. He learned that people seek a communal, emotional experience at the cinema, desiring a full range of feelings—laughter, fear, sadness—to leave feeling "cleansed." This philosophy guides his filmmaking, ensuring emotional depth even in action-packed thrillers.

The production of "Deep Water" involved meticulous attention to realism. Harlin's wife and producing partner, Johanna Kokkila, was instrumental in casting 250 extras for the plane crash sequence, ensuring each had a backstory and reacted authentically. Filming in a water tank for three months posed significant challenges, especially for veteran actors like Sir Ben Kingsley, who, at 80-something, endured days in deep water. Harlin prides himself on his "old-school" approach, using practical effects—like physically tearing walls apart and pulling people out—to achieve visceral realism, believing audiences can discern authenticity over digital doubles.

Looking ahead, Harlin discussed his upcoming projects. "The Beast," reuniting him with Samuel L. Jackson and co-starring Joel Kinnaman, is described as his "biggest action movie ever," taking place almost entirely within a presidential limo under terrorist attack. He also teases "Black Tides," a movie about a family attacked by orcas, starring John Travolta in what Harlin predicts will be a major comeback role. These films, he explains, deeply reflect his recent personal transformation. After years abroad, a return to Finland during COVID led him to meet his wife and, over the three challenging years of making "Deep Water," they welcomed three children. This shift in his personal life, particularly the themes of family and survival, now profoundly influences his storytelling, aspiring to make movies that reflect who he has become as a person.