OH, NO. PLEASE DON'T...

This post is brought to you by not one but two news stories:

SAM MENDES TO DIRECT NEXT JAMES BOND FILM and…

RON HOWARD TO DIRECT VINCE VAUGHN COMEDY

Neither of these are rumors. Rumors I could deal with. But in fact both of these men have signed to direct these films.

It’s selfish of me to ask an acclaimed director not to direct a big commercial film. I understand they have families and houses to pay for, they can only make so many zero budget art house films before it comes time to make and spend some money. I get that.

I also understand that bringing in high profile, Oscar winning directors will make the mainstream films better (such as Alfonso Cuaron directing Harry Potter.) There’s a reason they were brought in. The movies will probably be if not good, at least better than average.

But we need to look at the big picture, small movies are dying. Almost all of the art house arms of the major studios are gone. These directors are directing these movies because studios aren’t taking chances on smaller films. Unless it’s going to be a big tent pole and bring in definite money, it won’t get made. So then the Sam Mendeses and Ron Howards of Hollywood have to turn to this. It’s a downward spiral of mass produced screen fillers.

—-

Alex Rabinowitz (popculturebrain)