An excerpt from:

Kubrick's captives

by David Gritten - Saturday 13 June 1998

The science-fiction writer Brian Aldiss also speculates about the need for the degree of secrecy surrounding Eyes Wide Shut, but adds: "It's part of Stanley's idea of publicity to be secretive. I suppose it's to guard his privacy and creativity, and you have to respect that. I have great admiration for him. He's clever, he makes quick connections. In his way, he's a genius. And geniuses don't have to be nice guys."

Aldiss also revealed that Kubrick has his frustrations. He was upset by the successes of Star Wars and ET, feeling that, in 2001, he had created a science-fiction film far superior to either. Once, lunching with Aldiss, he asked him to devise a science-fiction story that would make money: "He said, 'Give me something popular that I won't lose my reputation over'," Aldiss reports.

Kubrick is a difficult man to deal with, Aldiss concedes; and their relationship will itself be tested eventually. The two men have written a script based on Aldiss's story, Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, which Kubrick plans to turn into a film called AI (Artificial Intelligence). The project has been on hold for several years.

Plans for the film involve creating an android boy which can convincingly simulate human movement: "Stanley didn't want to fake it," says Aldiss, "and didn't want to attempt it till the technology was ready."

Note: This article comes from the Electronic Telegraph - the Web presence of "The Daily Telegraph" - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/