tl;dr: He regrets not directing it. Easy thing to say after the fact, but considering what he did with Alien: Covenant, there's no saying how good 2049 would have been with Scott at the helm.
I personally think 2049 was amazing largely due to the strength of Villeneuve's direction and script. Covenant tells me Scott's 2049 would most likely have been middling.
yeah, the guy’s later career has been so hit-or-miss. His early work was incredible, but nowadays… not so much. The guy is coasting on his reputation.
I liked The Last Duel, but only because I have a lot of patience and was interested in the subject matter. It was a grueling and miserable story told 3 times from 3 perspectives, well made, well-acted, and well-directed, however it’s not a story many people really wanted or even needed to see. Most people hated it.
And, as has been mentioned Alien: Covenant. Ugh…
I wish we could have the old Ridley Scott back, but that guy is long gone.
Middling is generous. Scott can make a world. Like, he's reeeeeealy good at that. He excels at it. He loves doing it. He's said as much. That doesn't mean he can tell a story though. I like him best as the producer. Get the big ideas flowing, build the worlds, general plotlines, then let Villeneuve direct it.
And do whatever needs to be done to make more Raised By Wolves. Please.
I'm happy Denis made 2049. I think Scotts version would have been interesting but not as good. I love both directors but Scott seems to be spreading himself too thin these days instead of properly focusing on one thing, like hes worried hes running out of time.