The 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director weighs in after the actress-turned-filmmaker says 'studios making bad content in order to appeal to the masses and shareholders is like fracking.'
- Jan 2, 2018
AceShowbiz - Jodie Foster is not a fan of superhero movies, and she didn't mince words when talking about superhero pics and similar blockbusters. In an interview with Radio Times magazine (via Daily Mail), the two-time Oscar-winning actress compared Marvel and DC's superhero movies to "fracking."
"Going to the movies has become like a theme park," the 55-year-old actress-turned-filmmaker said. She continued, "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."
"It's ruining the viewing habits of the American population and then ultimately the rest of the world," according to Foster, who directed the likes of "Nell", "The Beaver", "The Brave One" and "Money Monster". She insisted, "I don't want to make $200 million movies about superheroes."
Despite saying big-budget superhero movies are ruining Hollywood, Foster did admit she would make one if it had the right story. She said she would consider making a movie with a superhero protagonist if they had "really complex psychology."
Following Foster's interview, many weighed in on her remarks. "Guardians of the Galaxy" helmer James Gunn was among those responding to her comments on superhero blockbusters.
Taking to his Twitter account on Monday, January 1, Gunn said, "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."
1. 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. https://t.co/IgthsjsSYm
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
"I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are somewhat soulless - and that is a real danger to the future of movies," he continued, adding, "But there are also quite a few exceptions."
2. I say not without basis because most studio franchise films are somewhat soulless - and that is a real danger to the future of movies. But there are also quite a few exceptions.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
"For cinema to survive I believe spectacle films NEED to have a vision and heart they traditionally haven't," Gunn said. "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."
3. 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.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
"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," he continued. "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."
4. 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.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
5. 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.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
The 51-year-old filmmaker concluded, "But I respect Foster and her talent and what she's done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood's landscape."
6. But I respect Foster and her talent and what she’s done for films and I appreciate her different way of looking at Hollywood’s landscape.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 2, 2018
