The phrase "superhero fatigue" gets thrown around a lot, but judging by box office receipts, it’s a concept only weary film bloggers seem to be aware of, as the public at large still likes superhero films. But one Hollywood legend could care less about the Marvel-verse or the upcoming reboot of Batman, and that’s the always quotable William Friedkin. Speaking at the Champs-Elysees Film Festival, the director lamented the days when movies had substance and not just empty spectacle.
Uh oh, shots fired? Not really. Friedkin is merely saying that blockbusters ain’t his bag, and that’s totally reasonable, and like many around Hollywood, he sees the so-called current golden age of television as a home for filmmakers who want to tell adult stories.
"Many of the fine filmmakers of today are going to long-form TV. It is the most welcoming place to work for a director today,” he said, adding "you develop character at a greater length and the story is more complex and deeper than cinema."
It’s hard to argue with that reasoning, and while we wait to find out what Friedkin’s next project will be, don’t expect him to walk over to Marvel Studios any time soon. "I am not interested in making movies just for the pay-check," he said. "I have to love the film, the story, the characters."
Thoughts on Friedkin’s comments? Let us know below.
Friedkin is spot on in his observations-empty spectacle is all we have to look forward to at the movies. People with short attention spans will always champion the flavor of now regardless of quality. Tired of all the soulless video games masquerading as films.
tbh, there are dozens of equally bad indies for every bad superhero movie. a little escapism never hurt anyone. however, the increasing stake at the box office worries me, too. studios may pass on compelling character dramas for juvenile superhero schlock more and more if the returns on these investments continue to rise. then again, the highest grossing film this year has been a monster movie, so there\’s that.
Friedkin is right. The fanboy rage is funny.
I\’m willing to look past the senility like comment only because he\’s Friedkin. He\’s brpught so much to the table of film.
But to say he\’s out of touch? Nah. His last two movies still show more life in them than most modern day indie directors.
Friedkin has made GREAT films in the past, but when he speaks, I just can\’t get on board with him. He\’s unbelievably out of touch and shoots himself in the foot with statements like this all the time (the one LOLWUT mentioned).
Glad to see a blogger acknowledging his weariness. But WTF is Friedkin talking about? Yes. Film has always been about real people doing real things. That is 100% completely accurate. Fiction, and science fiction, and action/adventure serials, all began in roughly 2007.