Wolfgang Petersen Director Of Das Boot And Air Force One Has Died Aged 81.

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, including “In the Line of Fire” (starring Clint Eastwood and Rene Russo), “Outbreak” (with Dustin Hoffman, Morgan Freeman and Russo) and “Air Force One” (with Harrison Ford and Glenn Close). At home, he continued the trend, directing “The Perfect Storm” with George Clooney and “Troy” with Brad Pitt and “Poseidon.” “Having Wolfgang direct you in ‘Air Force One’ remains a special memory,” actress Glenn Close said in a statement provided to CNN. “Although the script was exciting and incredibly intense, I remember lots of laughs, especially in the scenes around the huge table in the War Room.” Petersen, he said, would set up a remote-controlled camera that could be rotated in place, allowing him to film all the actors, and Petersen would give them cues when they were being shot. “You knew the camera would stop on you with his hilarious direction while he was setting up the shot. He would point to us in turn and say, “Acting. .. aaaacting!” he remembered. “He didn’t waste anyone’s time. My memory is of a man full of joy doing what he loved best.” Petersen is survived by his wife, Maria Antoinette, son Daniel and two grandchildren, according to his spokesman.