Director David Lynch has sought to reassure fans that he will “never retire” amid reports into his health.
The director of Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive, told Sight & Sound magazine that he had been diagnosed with emphysema due to smoking throughout his life and now, he cannot “go out” due to fears of infections like Covid.
Emphysema, also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is where damage to the air sacs occurs as a result of smoking, pollution or workplace irritants (as per NHS). The disease causes breathing problems, coughing and those suffering from it can experience frequent chest infections and wheezing.
Explaining how the condition affects him, Lynch told the publication: “I’ve gotten emphysema from smoking for so long and so I’m homebound whether I like it or not. It would be very bad for me to get sick, even with a cold.” He also said now, he “can only walk a short distance before” he’s feeling as though he’s “out of oxygen”.
Lynch said because of this, it is unlikely he will do so again, but if he does, it won’t be in person. He continued: “I would do it remotely if it comes to it”, he said: “I wouldn’t like that so much.”
However, in a new press statement shared to social media, Lynch sought to reassure fans about his health.
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He wrote: “Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking. I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco – the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them – but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema.
“I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern.”
Back in June, the Twin Peaks co-writer shared details of his latest project – confirming that he will be releasing a new album called ‘Cellophane Memories’ with Chrystabell.
He first teased the project back in May, when he took to X/Twitter to share his first post on social media since December 2022. “Ladies and gentleman, something is coming along….for you to see and hear,” Lynch said in a 22-second video. “And it will be coming along on June 5.”
Fans of the rebooted ’90s television series Twin Peaks began speculating that another season of the mystery drama could be on the horizon. The original series ran for two seasons from 1990-1991, and the reboot aired in 2017.
However, Lynch later revealed that the project was actually a new album that he has created alongside Chrystabell. Titled ‘Cellophane Memories’ it is set for release on August 2 via Sacred Bones Records. Pre-order it here.
Lynch and Chrystabell have collaborated in the past, and created two previous albums together. They also worked together on Twin Peaks: The Return, in which the latter took on the role of Agent Tammy Preston.
Lynch has previously hinted at a return to the Twin Peaks series, telling fans at a book signing in 2018 that the story “is calling, but there are a lot of disturbances”.
The show’s star Kyle MacLachlan also spoke about a fourth season, saying in 2018: “I think those kinds of things are certainly possible. I think we’re all just waiting on David to have the spark of an idea to go forward. It’d be a great journey. I would drop everything to do that.”