Since the business of fake space travel is huge and worldwide with many countries taking part in this grand deception, they require many hollywood/asian/russian directors. Sure, Stanley Kubrick was one of them, but there are hundreds more. 

Most of the filming takes place in various deserts and isolated areas around the world, perfect for uninterrupted filming.

TPTB allowed Tony Scott to fake his death as he had done his duty - which was to help orchestrate some of the various faked space missions by NASA and private space companies.

Now that Tony Scott has faked his death with the world is duped into thinking he committed suicide due to brain cancer, he will assume a new identity and retire some place peaceful.

The world is a grand stage run by actors.

What role do you play in it?