I guess you shouldn’t ask him “How did you like all the comic book movies that came out this summer?”
William Friedkin — the director of the iconic films The Exorcist and The French Connection — admitted during press for his upcoming film Killer Joe that he finds it increasingly difficult to get a film based on original material into production. Friedkin points at a number of different factors for this issue, including comic book movies, remakes, lowered expectations set by television programs (Friedkin says television “is aimed at the lowest common denominator”) and studio execs, who work for studios “owned by gigantic corporations that have to appeal to the lowest common denominator.”
Tracy Letts, who wrote Killer Joe and adapted it for Friedkin‘s movie, agrees with him, also blaming the lack of original material films on studio execs who would rather push comic book films.
It’s certainly a fair argument, although I assume more people will point at Friedkin‘s lack of recent success with his films (it’s been quite some time since he’s had a critically acclaimed film) rather than these other factors as a reason why Friedkin has had trouble getting an original film made. Of course, one could even argue that Friedkin‘s film is a sort-of remake since it’s adapted from a 1998 play. But in a week where remakes of both Highlander and Point Break — both films that have no need for a remake — have been moving forward and a remake is set to hit theaters this weekend (Straw Dogs) coming off a summer filled with comic book films it’s obvious that Friedkin has a point. I don’t necessarily agree that television is a cause of this (I happen to think we’re getting some of the best television series ever made these days, at least on channels like HBO), but Friedkin‘s not the first to point out that many of the major studios are going with what’s financially “safe” rather than trying to see if something outside the box can capture an audience. Of course, since its the studio execs jobs to make money you can’t exactly blame them.
But Friedkin might not have to wait long for the comic book bubble to burst: While Thor, Captain America, and X-Men: First Class all performed well at theaters, no comic book movie this summer broke the $200 million barrier at the domestic box office, something that every major comic book superhero film seemed to do in the previous decade (even Superman Returns hit $200 million!) Some have been predicting the end of the comic book movie domination after The Dark Knight Rises ends the Nolan Batman series and The Avengers gives us the superhero battle royal everyone’s waited for. So don’t worry Friedkin — one of your wishes might be granted!
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