The phrase "superhero fatigue" gets thrown around a lot, but judging by box office receipts, it’s a concept only weary film bloggers seem to be aware of, as the public at large still likes superhero films. But one Hollywood legend could care less about the Marvel-verse or the upcoming reboot of Batman, and that’s the always quotable William Friedkin. Speaking at the Champs-Elysees Film Festival, the director lamented the days when movies had substance and not just empty spectacle.
Uh oh, shots fired? Not really. Friedkin is merely saying that blockbusters ain’t his bag, and that’s totally reasonable, and like many around Hollywood, he sees the so-called current golden age of television as a home for filmmakers who want to tell adult stories.
"Many of the fine filmmakers of today are going to long-form TV. It is the most welcoming place to work for a director today,” he said, adding "you develop character at a greater length and the story is more complex and deeper than cinema."
It’s hard to argue with that reasoning, and while we wait to find out what Friedkin’s next project will be, don’t expect him to walk over to Marvel Studios any time soon. "I am not interested in making movies just for the pay-check," he said. "I have to love the film, the story, the characters."
Thoughts on Friedkin’s comments? Let us know below.