It’s a tale as old as time: a director making their first big league Hollywood movie, studio executives trying to shepherd a valuable IP to franchise spawning success, and the inevitable conflict of commerce versus creativity that follows. More often than not, it leads to final product where an unclear vision and compromised ideals are fully visible, and that was certainly true of 2014’s failed “RoboCop,” the remake of Paul Verhoeven‘s action classic, directed by Jose Padilha (“Elite Squad,” “Narcos“). But even before cameras had rolled, it was no secret there was trouble behind the scenes.
In 2012, Padilha’s filmmaking friend Fernando Meirelles, told a South American website that the process on the movie was “hell,” and that “for every 10 ideas he has, 9 are cut. Whatever he wants, he has to fight.” And now, with a few years distance, Padilha himself is coming clean about his experience making the picture.
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“I didn’t have the creative freedom I needed. I spent 90% of the time fighting,” he admitted to Screen Daily. And while the filmmaker was still on studio lists for superhero movies and further blockbusters, Padilha learned some career lessons in making “RoboCop.”
“It made me realize that making a studio movie is not the same as making a film. I will think a million times before getting involved in another production of that size again,” he said. “I got into this Hollywood business thinking that I could make the film I wanted, with my cinema criteria. My mistake.’’
“I’d rather face the reality than make movies about superheroes,’’ he added.
So, don’t hold your breath that he’ll return Marvel‘s calls anytime soon. Still, Padilha had the opportunity to play with big studio toys, and even if it didn’t turn out the way he wanted, if it means he’s come away from “RoboCop” with an even clearer idea of the kinds of films he wants to make, perhaps that’s a silver lining to hang onto.
