The idea that studios produce mass-consumed, four-quadrant, safe, boring crap is not a new argument. It’s something that has been discussed for decades amongst film fans. However, as we watch theaters shut down and studios focus almost entirely on theatrical releases of blockbuster films, this idea that audiences are being force-fed garbage is picking up steam. And now, we have folks like Zachary Levi, star of many big-budget, four-quadrant, safe films, telling audiences to rebel against studio-produced dreck.
Speaking at the recent FanExpo Chicago (via EW), Zachary Levi talked to an audience about all sorts of fandom things. This is the guy who has starred in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and in the DC universe, most recently for the latter in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” But eventually, he got passionate about the content being produced by Hollywood studios, and Levi wanted to make sure people know the real way to win against the current studio system.
“I personally feel like the amount of content that comes out of Hollywood that is garbage — they don’t care enough to actually make it great for you guys. They don’t,” Levi said. “How many times do you watch a trailer and go, ‘Oh my God, this looks so cool!’ Then you go to the movie and it’s like, ‘This was what I get?’ They know that once you’ve already bought the ticket and you’re in the seat, they’ve got your money. And the only way for us to change any of it is to not go to the garbage. We have to actively not choose the garbage. It’ll help. It’ll help a lot.”
Much like the “studios produce shit” argument, the “vote with your dollars” sentiment is nothing new. Of course, people should be more protective of their hard-earned money and only choose films to watch that are great and wonderful and artistically fulfilling. Unfortunately, when you look at your local multiplex, there are often not many options that tick all of those boxes. Sure, right now, we’re graced with solid choices like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” and the new “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” films. Those are all massive, big-budget spectacle films that are shockingly good. But what about when you’re left with “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” as your only option? Then you just don’t go to the cinema, and the industry suffers.
That is to say, we’re in a bit of a chicken and the egg situation. Do we vote with our dollars, running the risk that local cinemas can’t stay in business, and thus, fewer films are produced and studios really double-down on the blockbusters? Or do we visit the multiplex as often as possible, even if that means suffering through crap, just so we keep the industry afloat and studios are more inclined to take chances on different types of films?
We can all agree that ‘Fury of the Gods’ wasn’t good and was rightfully ignored, right?