“This argument will never not be stupid”: Gone Girl Director David Fincher Slams Marvel, Star Wars, Jurassic Park as “Happy Meal” Films Killing Hollywood
Renowned director David Fincher is well-known for acclaimed films like Fight Club, The Social Network, Gone Girl, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He has won many awards including 4 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Grammy Awards. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was nominated for 13 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Fincher.
David Fincher recently made headlines with his controversial takes on the film industry’s current state. He criticized blockbuster franchises like Jurassic Park, Marvel, and Star Wars dominance by labeling them as the “Happy Meal” films that he believes are detrimental to Hollywood’s creative essence.
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David Fincher on Netflix and Hollywood
In one of the recent interviews, David Fincher said he has been working with Netflix as Hollywood just remains interested in “Happy Meal” tentpole films. In an interview with Total Film, he said:
“Unless you’re making a tentpole movie that has a Happy Meal component to it, no one’s interested. If we only did the stuff that was smart, there’d probably only be Marvel and Star Wars and Jurassic Park movies.”
Fincher’s comments aren’t entirely inaccurate. Hollywood has, in recent years, increasingly focused on making big-budget franchise films. Such films often remain successful at the box office but can be risk-averse and formulaic. However, some Twitteratis beg to differ as one said, “This argument will never not be stupid.”
This argument will never not be stupid cuz among the hundreds of movies released each year, we got one Star Wars movie a year for like 5 years (and haven’t since 2019), once Jurassic World movie every 3 years & 3-4 Marvel movies a year. Out of hundreds of films released a year.
— Unknown (@HereTheCope) July 30, 2023
Barbie and Oppenheimer beg to differ. I get that this has become a popular narrative, and for the most part it’s accurate. But there’s been more franchise flops this year than successes, you’re seeing other movies succeed plenty this year.
— BAM (Brett) (@BamTubeTV) July 30, 2023
Disagreed , you see especially in the last year that people are done with big superhero movies and unoriginal movies. There is also a lot of critique from people that they are superhero movie tired . AndJust look at how good Oppenheimer did as a biography .
— Fadoua (@Fadoua40573135) July 30, 2023
Whenever these ppl projects don’t get received well or as well as they feel they should they blame Marvel or other franchises you could of made your point without throwing jabs at other franchises lame those “ Happy meals “ made billions maybe take notes or make better projects🤷🏾♂️
— Chris Johnson (@everybdyhatesch) July 31, 2023
Idk why the hell those movies would keep them from making their movies? Why can’t they both be here? Makes no sense
— ThoughtFall (@CodyYeYe) July 31, 2023
Netflix has been willing to take some risks on more personal and smaller films. With the filmmakers and audiences grappling with the changing dynamics of the cinema, striking balance between artistic expression and blockbuster entertainment would remain essential for continued growth and Hollywood’s evolution.
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David Fincher Isn’t the Only Critic of the One-sided Focus of Hollywood
Fincher isn’t the only director who has come out to speak against the focus of Hollywood on tentpole movies. Even Martin Scorsese criticized the trend, calling it degrading to the art of the cinema. In an op-ed, Scorsese said that Marvel films aren’t “cinema”. He further said:
“I was asked a question about Marvel movies. I answered it. I said that I’ve tried to watch a few of them and that they’re not for me, that they seem to me to be closer to theme parks than they are to movies as I’ve known and loved them throughout my life.”
Fincher’s comments are a reminder that there still exists a demand for smart films, and many filmmakers are willing to make them. Now it is to be seen if Netflix would continue supporting smart films, the kind of movies Fincher continues to discuss. It would lead to a much more diverse landscape for filmmaking.
Source: Twitter
