Drive Director's Wild '70s Flu Med Meltdown

The critically acclaimed 2011 film 'Drive,' starring Ryan Gosling, began with a famously rocky start for director Nicolas Winding Refn. During a professional meeting with Gosling, Refn was disoriented from anti-flu medication, leading to an awkward encounter he described as a "disaster."

An unexpected moment of emotional release occurred when Refn, with compromised hearing, blasted REO Speedwagon's "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" in Gosling's car. This car karaoke experience profoundly inspired Refn, leading him to conceptualize 'Drive' as a film about a man finding emotional solace through nocturnal drives and pop music.

Financiers, who had acquired the rights hoping for a 'Fast and Furious'-style action film, were taken aback by the final product. They reportedly questioned the film's artistic choices and lack of conventional action sequences. Refn had to fight for the film's unique soundtrack, rejecting suggestions for generic classic rock.

Refn also revealed that his inspiration for the film's central love story drew from 'Sixteen Candles,' aiming for a similarly magical yet simple romantic connection. He defended the film's extreme violence, like the iconic elevator scene, as integral to the narrative's emotional core and Driver's character development.

Despite the initial resistance from financiers, 'Drive' has since garnered a significant cult following, celebrated for its distinctive style, memorable score, and Gosling's performance. Refn has expressed a desire to collaborate with Gosling again, humorously suggesting a comedy as their next project.