David Lynch has really done it all. The filmmaker has made everything from art house films that have become legendary to big franchise films that didn’t do so hot and TV series that have stood the test of time. So, with that type of career, no one blames Lynch for being brutally honest about the state of the industry and why he isn’t interested in certain films that most film fans are eagerly anticipating. The man has earned his right to be a bit upset.
Speaking to THR, the filmmaker was asked about his quarantine routine, which has been covered previously. Needless to say, he’s not really thinking about film or TV projects right now. Regardless, he was asked about one of the biggest films to arrive later this year, Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune.” Obviously, having made a previous attempt to adapt the novel for the big screen back in the ‘80s, you’d think that Lynch would be curious what Villeneuve had in store. Surprisingly, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When asked about the upcoming adaptation of the Frank Herbert classic, the filmmaker simply replied, “I have zero interest in ‘Dune.’”
Lynch continued, “Because it was a heartache for me. It was a failure and I didn’t have final cut. I’ve told this story a billion times. It’s not the film I wanted to make. I like certain parts of it very much — but it was a total failure for me.”
The filmmaker was then asked if his lack of interest includes not even watching someone else’s version of the story.
Lynch said, “I said I’ve got zero interest.”
So, with lockdown making it so he can’t work on any projects, other than his woodworking, Lynch was asked which is more appealing, TV or film? The filmmaker, of course, is one of the few true auteurs to find success in both mediums. But right now, Lynch is more interested in working in TV.
“Right now. feature films in my book are in big trouble, except for the big blockbusters,” said the filmmaker. “The art house films, they don’t stand a chance. They might go to a theater for a week and if it’s a Cineplex they go to the smallest theater in the setup, and then they go to Blu-ray or On Demand. The big-screen experience right now is gone. Gone, but not forgotten.”
“No, you never say no to anything, really,” Lynch added about the possibility of turning down a film to work in TV. “But I really love a continuing story, and cable television I say is the new art house. You have total freedom. The sound isn’t as good as a great theater; the picture isn’t as big — but TVs are getting bigger and bigger and better and better, so there’s hope. And then you have this chance for a continuing story, so it’s the new art house, I say.”
Of course, if he continues to work in TV and produces output such as “Twin Peaks: The Return,” no one is going to complain.
