There are plenty of cinephiles that are worried about the current state of American cinema at the moment. The most popular complaint seems to be aimed directly at the influx of superhero movies currently populating, or for many polluting, the cinematic landscape. Many directors have come forth in recent years criticizing the superhero genre including Clint Eastwood, Ridley Scott, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, David Cronenberg, William Friedkin, Terry Gilliam, Mel Gibson and, even, Roland Emmerich!
You can now add Jodie Foster to that list of high-profile filmmakers as the 55-year-old writer-director-actress, in an interview with Radio Times (via Daily Mail) magazine, recently compared the superhero genre to fracking.
“Going to the movies has become like a theme park. Studios making bad content in order to appeal to the masses and shareholders is like fracking – you get the best return right now but you wreck the earth,” she said.
Yikes. And if that isn’t bad enough, she went on to say that these American-produced superhero movies are not just polluting the United States but the rest of the world as well. “It’s ruining the viewing habits of the American population and then ultimately the rest of the world. I don’t want to make $200m (£150) movies about superheroes,” she added.
Foster, recently directed an episode of Netflix‘s “Black Mirror,” but says that it ain’t easy to be a filmmaker in Hollywood these days unless you are part of the untouchables club such as Steven Spielberg or Clint Eastwood, adding there is a “lack of respect” for most other directors.
Conversation has instantly sparked around Foster’s comments, and it didn’t take long for “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn to issue a fascinating response on Twitter:
I think Foster looks at film in an old-fashioned way where spectacle film can’t be thought-provoking. It’s often true but not always. Her belief system is pretty common and isn’t totally without basis. I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are quite soulless – and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.
For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally haven’t. And some of us are doing our best to move in that direction. Creating spectacle films that are innovative, humane, and thoughtful is what excites me about this job.
But, to be fair, at least from Foster’s quotes, she seems to see filmmaking as something that’s primarily about her own personal growth. For me, that may be part of why I do this, but spending many millions of dollars on a film has to be about more than that – it’s communication – so my experience is merely one spoke on that wheel. But I respect Foster and what she’s done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood’s landscape.
Yes, a thoughtful, courteous response that cuts to the heart of the issue and, in a way, it seems like Gunn does agree with Foster’s assertion that “spectacle films” are often empty. But Gunn says the solution isn’t necessarily ditching the $200 million superhero film, but, rather, transforming it.
Gunn, after all, gave a bit of heart and soul to ‘Guardians’ and even fought the MCU bigwigs to have his “Awesome Mix Tape” included into the original movie. Of course, he’s one of the few exceptions to have responded in a mannered, adult way to Foster’s criticisms, as fanboys on social media were going nuts over the last few days. To which I say, all the better for it. After the Disney/Fox deal, Foster has reopened the debate on the superhero movie at a relevant and important timeframe as the industry is slowly, but surely becoming monopolized by sequels, reboots, remakes and, more to the point, a influx of superhero movies, which are, as Foster correctly asserted, “soul killing.” Maybe the fracking analogy isn’t far off.
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Foster doesn’t like Superhero movies,i don’t like swearing in movies but nothing is going
to change.Swearing and Superheroes will still be here in 50 years.
I hate MCU, Disney and Star Wars. I’m too great for those losers.
I’m too perfect for those Disney evil guys.
You’re too “dangerous.”
Man, I thought you died years ago. Oh wait, that was just your talent for making movies.
Be careful what you say or he’ll have you deleted and replaced with Christopher Plummer.
Well that’ll make my comment a lot less interesting then. Haha!
There is almost always a big divide between academy award winning films and summer popcorn movies. Long before what is now, you had people watching westerns in theaters while Hitchcock could barely break even with some (not all) of his movies. The westerns did not ruin Hollywood forever, the “vigilante/cop” movies of the 70’s/80’s did not ruin Hollywood and I doubt that the superhero movies will ruin Hollywood either.
It’s funny you say that because Foster totally made her version of the vigilante film with The Brave One which has Death Wish DNA for sure.
the brave one was directed by her fellow Polanski supporter Neil Jordan
While not sharing your optimistic view I must sincerely applaud you. While others keep calling each other names like sugar-rushed toddlers at a kindergarden playground, you just made a nice point in a balanced, respectful manner.
Superhero movies won’t ruin Hollywood until Tyler Perry starts making superhero movies.
Amen to that! “Madea Saves the World”.
I go to the cinema to watch movies that entertain me. If I want an education I’ll read a book. besides, when has Jodie Foster made a movie that was educational, thought provoking or good, for all that? also, if she hasn’t noticed, the movie industry is about making money and to do that you have to give the people what they want. right now, that is superheroes who take our minds off our own problems for a couple of hours. what we don’t need is a movie that depresses us even more than we already are. I bet if she had been cast in one of these billion dollar blockbusters bolstering her bank account she wouldn’t feel this way
You voice a pretty naive and not very bright opinion, James. You make assumptions based on nothing but your personal opinion, which makes them invalid except to you. You’d bet this and that on how someone like Jodie Foster would behave is just silly and immature. These dumb movies she’s talking about have infantilized the audience and your remarks seem to solidified that observation. All of us who agree with Ms. Foster have come to expect these kinds of infantile posts and naive opinions as they come from fanboys who have no aesthetics awareness and who are ignorant to the excellent artistic films that deal with real life instead of fantasy and which if one is intelligent enough can learn something from watching them. You seem to have never had that experience and for that I pity you. Just remember, you do not know what you’re talking about as your overall ignorance regarding film and its history indicates that. People take drugs and get drunk and engage in all kinds of infantile and worthless behaviors in order to ‘take their minds off their problems’. To desiring films to do that for them is fine as long as they have the intelligence to know they are watching trash and that intelligent people are not going to agree with them and find these movies detrimental to one’s mental, spiritual and psychological growth and well being.
my favorite movies include aguirre the wrath of god, apocalypse now, and 2001:a space odyssey. and i think you’re a flaming snob.
aguirre wrath god – pedo kinski
apocalypse now – pedo brando
2001 odyssey – kubrick was clean
You can’t associate apocalypse now with “pedo brando”. Everyone hated him on set. Coppola regretted the decision to cast him the moment he arrived at shooting, but the production was already so fucked they had to continue.
does Coppola regret supporting Victor Salva
Victor Salva paid for his crimes. This does not excuse what he did, but at least he didn’t run away like a little coward
coppola supports victor salva
pedo kinski-don’t care
pedo brando-don’t care
kubrick was clean-well, thanks for checking that out for me mr. exterminator! i don’t care, and how do you know he was “clean”? because you never heard any accusations?
i’ve been seeing a lot of your posts around here. you need help.
Bo, you may think you are offering a superior argument to James but you are not. You’ve attacked him personally for voicing an opinion then just offer your own opinion along with a variety of insults to his intelligence.
You can sit there stroking off thinking you are more intelligent than everyone else but you post does nothing to back this claim. Perhaps next time, rather than calling people “infantile”, “dumb” and “naive” you could try adding to the discussion and keep your purile insults to yourself.
I agree with James comment much more than yours. At least he’s not being an insufferable a**hole about it.
“You make assumptions based on nothing but your personal opinion, which makes them invalid except to you …”
Wow. Did you make the conscience effort to be ignorant first, then a hypocrite … or does that just come naturally to you? You must have a group of friends who thinks your so witty and special.
Block me too, because you sound like a real smug arsehole and i can’t be bothered reading your boring shite. What an absolute square you must be. You ought to try watching a movie for fun some time instead of to punish yourself, maybe you might actually have a good time. I doubt it though.
So… deep… reply… Can’t… process… *head explodes*
I would recommend you to watch The Beaver. Silly Mel Gibson voice aside, it’s interesting stuff.
I actually really enjoyed The Beaver mostly due to Mel Gibson and his incredible talent that people crap on because of his previous drunken rants. The man has talent both in front of and behind the camera. Jodie Foster is so blah and so are her movies. I’m not for the over saturation of superhero movies, but I rarely ever agree with the Oscar winners either. Movie critics tend to pick the most boring movies to nominate all because they are works of art….I go to the movies to be entertained, not to see social commentary or some liberal arts major that thinks he/she is a fantastic director. If I wanted real knowledge I would read a book, and if I wanted social commentary I would watch the news or the one billion facebook posts that clog up my page. Everyone needs to stop bashing one another and just deal with it. If you don’t like superhero movies don’t see them, but if your career is failing due to them being popular that is your own fault and not the filmaker/filmgoer. Get over yourselves Hollywood.
“I’ll put you in the ground you cu_nt”
what mel gibson told his wife before he offered her $15m NDA
Yet, he continues to be one of the biggest names and talents the industry ever produced. What did he really do? He ranted and punched her. Compare that to the list of rapists, pedophiles, murderers etc that are striving in Hollywood. Gibson at least supports people who went through bad times and continues to finance charities without boasting about it. These things say a lot about his character.
LOL
I didn’t mention anything about his character…and he was ousted from Hollywood and peoples hearts way before he punched a woman. However none of that has anything to do with his talent which he has unlike Jodie Foster.
I’ve definitely said way worse to my wife and her to me. Sometimes people get into arguments and horrible things are said…that doesn’t make you a bad person. Hell in the 50’s way more men were beating their wives and look at how amazing the world worked back then. I’m not saying it’s right, I’m just saying this PC bullshit we live by today is sicker than all of the wife beaters and pedophiles in the nation. Stop being so damn sensitive, take a beating like a man and frickin deal with it. Bullies used to build character and now they cause idiots that are parented by video games to bring a gun into school and kill everyone.
do you use the N word
look at the Highest-grossing films of 2017
1 Beauty and the Beast $1,263,521,126
2 The Fate of the Furious $1,235,761,498
3 Star Wars: The Last Jedi $1,054,811,829
4 Despicable Me 3 $1,033,508,147
5 Spider-Man: Homecoming $880,166,924
6 Wolf Warrior 2 $870,325,439
7 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 $863,732,512
8 Thor: Ragnarok $848,143,697
9 Wonder Woman $821,847,012
10 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales $794,861,794
let’s be honest what roles could jodie foster have played in those films ?
the Laura Dern character in Last Jedi
the Robin Wright character in Wonder Woman
C’mon, she’d make a decent Hela. And how about a First Order officer? Slightly-less-hot Aunt May? Rugged Amazon mentor type? Caribbean sea hag? Boy, this is FUN!
There needs to be more balance.
I don’t dislike films/movies that are adapted from comic books, but the market is increasingly becoming over saturated with them.
I’m not really excited about the Marvel/Disney/Fox merger.
We need more ORIGINAL work.
it’s not a merger though. Disney bought assets from fox. But Fox is still Fox!
Without these superhero movies or “spectacle” movies, there wouldn’t be a chance for you to make your blah passion projects. I’m sure you were able to make the Beaver because Twilight gave the studio more money to make films like that. Same with Spider-man making the money for a letdown film like Money Monster. There’s room for both types of films and if the content is good enough, there’s success to be had. Look at Sicario, Gravity, Hidden Figures, Wonder or Get Out.
Yeah, before Foster complains she really needs to be making much better movies than Money Monster, one of the most disappointing big budget films of the last few years.
it was the hottest black list script that year and still she **** it up
Let’s get realistic here…….there were a whopping 6 superhero films in 2017. Yes, 6 (and that’s counting Logan which isn’t even really a superhero movie)……out of how many movies that were released last year? Hardly an epidemic, lmao.
How many tornadoes hit ground this season? A measly 3? Bah!
Gunn is awesome. Such a polite, thoughtful and respectful guy in an industry often dominated by obnoxious loudmouths.
i love his movie SUPER
I’d love to see her to say that to her dear long time friend Anthony Hopkins’s face. She doesn’t have the guts. It’s her petty jealously that Marvel is successful while most movies now days suck including hers.
when her dear long time friend Anthony Hopkins was a guest inside the actors studio he started gloating he knew someone who was in the IRA
the IRA who murdered and sexually abused people
Well, many called Thor boring. It’s kinda my favourite because of its Shakesperean flair. But then again I am just an obnoxious snob.
many a truth is told in jest.
“You’re stupid because I disagree with you!”
-Most of the Internet
You NAILED it sir…
I do not want films to be an elitist bunch of people who think they are superior to the rest. I am glad the film industry can entertain people rather than forcing them to see 3 hours of a person’s super personal story. It is actually good that they want to appeal to the masses, what is the other option? only make films for super smart intelligent people (pretentious) who claim to understand auteurs with narcissistic personality disorder? Pass.
Elitists… Pretentious… Auteurs… Narcissists… Ooooh, listen to my impressive vocabulary! I went to private school! Ok, Mr Thesaurus, just kidding, but how does it feel when someone else does it to you?
Now that they are finally making great comic movies I hope they continue letting Friege make those movies. I would rather watch the MCU than some stupid talking beaver movie or some movie about some rich white person whine about the state of their lives. When a lot of people would kill to have the problems they have. The last good movie she did was over a decade ago, fuck her!
Vision and heart? I just watched the second installment of Guardians and it’s just a terminally dull, thoughtless, empty affair. If James Gunn really felt good about his movies it would not even occur to him to respond.
Highest-grossing films of 2017
1 Beauty and the Beast $1,263,521,126
2 The Fate of the Furious $1,235,761,498
3 Star Wars: The Last Jedi $1,054,811,829
4 Despicable Me 3 $1,033,508,147
5 Spider-Man: Homecoming $880,166,924
6 Wolf Warrior 2 $870,325,439
7 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 $863,732,512
8 Thor: Ragnarok $848,143,697
9 Wonder Woman $821,847,012
10 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales $794,861,794
they can’t come up with anything original anymore. It either has to be a big superhero movie, remakes and reboots. The only reboot I’m okay with is Jurassic World movies. Or it has to be a drama that goes to to things like race, sexuality, the human condition – like Blind Side, Still Alice, The Help etc. So maybe the golden age of movies has passed. It seems like they can mainly only do remakes, predictabe action superhero movies or dramas. The originality factor has left. Most of them are from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. All those original films are being used as the meat and potatoes for Hollywood to feed off of because it can’t be original anymore. Maybe more directors need to smoke weed or take LSD to get creative. LOL
Wow, a well-worded and thoughtful response. I’d have just said “Old Lady Foster doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about”, which would also have been accurate.
Mind… blown… again… *head explodes*
Jeebs, is that you ?
If I’m going to spend a 100+ dollars at the cinema, I want to see something that cost more then 100 million to make. I want visuals plus story on an IMAX screen.
Everything else can be streamed or downloaded. Jodie Foster doesn’t understand cinema goers apparently. People just don’t have the tolerance for artsy slow-paced bullshit anymore and prefer fun bullshit instead.
Example – Manchester was a very good movie, but why would I buy tickets to see it on the big screen when nothing is lost if I watch it on my phone? I can’t watch the airport fight in Civil War on my phone, because they’ve put in the technical effort to make their movies must-see.
That era of laziness is ending.
You suck.
Cinephiles look at the past and say, “what happened to the times when the only movies available were the ones from Kurosawa, Lubitsch, Truffaut, and so on?” And the answer is: those times never existed. You can pretend to be the Fassbinder of this generation, but even he made TV movies – Bergman as well. Gunn is right to point out both the issues with the superhero niche and what can be made with the genre – check how many western or police or biblical movies were made against the few that are acknowledged as some of the best movies ever made, that became influential in the long term.
The most aggravating thing right now for me is that I can’t see anything of any real substance because only these so-called spectacle films are being shown in movie theaters. IN DECEMBER, there was a handful of potentially really good movies that I didn’t get to see because they weren’t playing around here – yet Madea Boo still has a spot at the theaters. God forbid we sacrifice one screen for The Shape of Water or Phantom Thread.
God forbid…
Mr. Gunn is so right! When I saw the great Glenn Close playing a minor role in the first Guardians, my first thought was that she is merely a spoke on that communication wheel. I mean who needs legacy actors anymore? That’s so old fashioned! F@*k it, let’s just make the whole cast CGI! Yay! I hate my life!
Ms Foster is a snob and needs to educate herself a little. Comic books have been around a lot longer than the movies and have addressed difficult subjects throughout their existence. Taking these subjects off the page and into the movie theatre is simply the next logical step, the same as it was for any book turned into a movie. Issues can be addressed in ways other than depressing, arthouse, dour ways but rather through a more accesible approach. Why is appealing to the masses a bad thing? Are the masses not entitled to be exposed to modern issues too? Issues like bullying (Spider-man), loneliness (Vision), parental loss (StarLord), alcoholism (Iron Man) and many, many others are addressed in superhero movies in ways that are perhaps more understandable (and enjoyable) than in other movies.
As an aside, aren’t movies supposed to be entertaining? When did that become a sin? Where was Ms Foster’s criticism in the late 80s and early 90s when every second movie was about serial killers? Were they somehow more vaild just because they were full of negativity and she was winning Oscars for them? Why are the movies she makes more vaild than superhero movies just because she shrouds her message in misery rather than putting it front and center? Is she implying that people who go to superhero movies are stupid, ignorant, thoughtless? How high an opinion does she have of herself exactly?
Movies evolve as do people’s tastes. Personally, I fell in love with the movies watching Star Wars and Bond, has that left me unable to understand Room or The Tree of Life? No, in fact I wouldn’t have such a love for all movies without them. In a decade or so there will be another fad for a different type of movie but in the meantime perhaps the people who are going to the superhero movies now will have evolved and at least they will have gotten used to the movie-going experience, perhaps even been exposed to subjects they would not otherwise have considered without the Hulk, Thor, Ant-man et al. Is that such a terrible thing?
Seriously?
Take Gunn’s statement and substitute the word “Congress” for each reference to superhero spectacle and you have every mealy mouthed statement ever issued by every incumbent elected representative in Washington. It boils down to this: yes, they are all terrible and it’s a problem…but I’m not so bad.
Ugh. That’s not “thoughtful”, it’s self-serving.
It is always interesting in these endless discussion forums to read comments from the endless supply of “regular people” (meaning the 99 &1/2 % who know no one & know nothing about what goes on in Holly wood or Government or ????) – who make their declarative statements as if they are bosom buddies with some of the involved. You know – those who talk about “Mel” & “Coppola” & Spielberg” “Foster”, Etc as if they know them on a 1st name basis. And attribute statements and actions to them as if they were there.
Instead of acknowledging that their opinions are based on whatever 2cnd & 3rd hand info they have gleaned from Internet chat rooms & forums.
In other words please stop talking as if you are “in the know”.