Saturday, November 9, 2024

Spielberg, Lucas Predictions May Come True With Four Blockbusters Failing

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Are Steven Spielberg and George Lucas prescient? Or have they seen the rest of the summer’s blockbuster releases? The duo said at a USC unveiling this week that Hollywood would go through a drastic change after three or four blockbusters, costing $250 million or more, blew up in studios’ faces. So far, “Jack and the Beanstalk” would be number 1, a total disaster. “After Earth” would be number 2 on the list. It’s a total dud.

“Man of Steel” would be number 3, with a teetering 60% approval rating of critics and frankly, a mind numbing plot. Coming directly after are “World War Z,” “White House Down,” and “The Lone Ranger.” So far the only blockbusters that worked were “Iron Man 3” and “Star Trek: Into the Darkness.” I’ve seen “World War Z” and it’s pretty good after producers reshot at least half the film. The result is that movie actually makes sense and has a third act.

But the others are all problematic. “The Lone Ranger,” especially looms large, especially after Disney’s “John Carter” did so badly last year.

One thing Lucas said in his comments that I have to take issue with. He and Spielberg talked about “Lincoln” almost going to HBO and Lucas’s “Red Tails” not doing well. I’m a huge Lucas fan but “Red Tails” was a terrible movie. And it lost all its movie because of that. So I don’t think “Red Tails” can be considered part of the conversation.

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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