David Lynch Discussed His New Project with Naomi Watts and Laura Dern Last Fall: “He Was Definitely Not Finished”

      It has been just over two months since we mourned the loss of one of the most significant artists of our era. In the weeks following the unexpected passing of David Lynch, many have sought comfort in revisiting his works, as theaters have hosted repertory screenings and his collaborators have expressed their memories of him. After much speculation, we now have confirmation from one of his closest friends that the 78-year-old filmmaker was gearing up to start a new project.

      Naomi Watts, speaking to the LA Times, reminisced about visiting the director in November, just months before his death. “We had a lovely lunch at his home,” she reflected, mentioning her visit with Laura Dern. “I was aware he hadn’t been well, but he was in high spirits. He wanted to return to work — Laura and I encouraged him, saying, ‘You can do it! You could film from the trailer.’ He was definitely not finished. I could see his creative energy was still alive.” She continued, “I expected to see him again in a couple of weeks after that lunch since I was in L.A. I have a lot to share, but I wish to keep it private for his family. That meeting was deeply impactful, filling me with immense love and hope.”

      Though she didn't reveal more about the project in question, it wouldn't be surprising if it were Wisteria/Unrecorded Night, a Netflix project that was canceled during the pandemic due to health concerns. “Unrecorded Night was a non-Twin Peaks series that was set to be filmed at Netflix but was scrapped when the pandemic struck,” said his longtime producer, Sabrina Sutherland, last year. “There’s always a possibility we can revisit it, but David has been focusing on his art and music, so we haven’t pursued it yet.”

      Additionally, it was disclosed last year, based on Lynch’s own statements, that Netflix turned down a pitch for his long-gestating project, Snootworld, an animated family film that his ex-wife Peggy Reavey once asserted would be “David’s Harry Potter.” Given the immense respect for the filmmaker, it seems unlikely that these projects would come to fruition under another director, but it would certainly be intriguing to view the scripts if they are ever made public.

      As we ponder what might have been, enjoy a playlist featuring Lynch’s commercials below.