Many filmmakers have accumulated credits as editors; Steven Soderbergh and Alfonso Cuaron are two particularly well-known examples. But William Goldenberg is the uncommon A-list editor who turned to directing at the pinnacle of his skill.
After his helming debut “Unstoppable” gets its global premiere on Sept. 6 at the Toronto Film Festival, Goldenberg, who won an Oscar for “Argo,” will find out whether his mid-career bet pays off.
“I have always been a bit slow to the party,” he notes. “I spent my entire childhood playing ice hockey; people teased me when I was 15 years old as I was the worst player in my town. By the time I was twenty, I was participating in collegiate ice hockey; none of them were.
Among his “Unstoppable” ensemble are Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, Bobby Cannavale, and Michael Peña. The movie tells the actual tale of Anthony Robles, who was born without a right leg but never let that stop him from realizing he wanted to be a professional wrestler.
Goldenberg was contacted to direct after his 2013 Oscar victory, but his editing schedule was heavy. Goldenberg was fascinated, however, when “Unstoppable” producer David Crockett presented Anthony’s actual tale to him.
But meeting Anthony was the true reason Goldenberg felt driven to do this. “He is just one of those folks. A room flashes when he goes inside it. Seeing the way he engaged with others, the way they left feeling better than when they first began talking to him, and I realized the world could use a little bit of that.
Goldenberg was editing Ben Affleck’s “Air” when he handed his “Argo” friend the screenplay in October 2022. Affleck enjoyed the effort. Having released “Air,” Amazon was anxious to resume business with Affleck and went on to create “Unstoppable,” with Matt Damon executive producing and Affleck producing. (Like with “Air,” the studio for the picture was Affleck and Damon’s Artists Equity.) Affleck cast his wife, Lopez, as Anthony’s mother.
Still, the real-life-based picture also found itself thrown into a real-life loop. Affleck and Lopez revealed they are splitting on the eve of the “Unstoppable” premiere. Lopez is on the red carpet. Affleck is anticipated not to show up for the debut, however.
Concerning any embarrassment, Goldenberg replies, “Not really.”
“Everybody is professional; that is their matter. I cherish both of them. Though Jennifer was a delight to work with, I mean, I knew Ben better. She was amazing. And their personal life is their own, he adds.
