Francis Ford Coppola Disses Sequel and Prequel Culture Popularized by Marvel, Calls Oppenheimer a “Victory”
With the much-anticipated release of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, the curiosity and excitement among fans were palpable. As the films hit the big screens, people couldn’t help but wonder what legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola thought about these two summer flicks. Known for his exceptional contributions to cinema, Coppola’s opinion held considerable weight in the industry.
Upon being asked about his thoughts on the movies, Francis Ford Coppola conveyed his genuine admiration for the two films’ remarkable ability to draw in audiences. The captivating storytelling, artful direction, and engaging performances were aspects that seemed to have resonated deeply with viewers, and Coppola acknowledged the filmmakers’ skill in achieving this feat. The absence of any sequels or prequels in their titles, and the indication that they were true standalone stories, marked a notable triumph for Cinema in his eyes.
Francis Ford Coppola’s Admiration for Barbenheimer
Barbie and Oppenheimer achieved an extraordinary feat during their simultaneous opening weekends from July 21-23, turning a doll movie and a biographical film on the atomic bomb into the fourth-biggest box office weekend in history, generating a combined revenue of over $200 million. Francis Ford Coppola expressed his admiration for Barbenheimer in the wake of their record-breaking debut weekend.
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While interacting with fans on his Instagram Stories on Friday, the renowned filmmaker was asked whether he had seen Greta Gerwig‘s Barbie and Christopher Nolan‘s Oppenheimer. Although Coppola admitted that he had not watched the films yet, he highlighted the significance of their success at the box office. He noted that the fact that people are flocking to theaters to watch these movies, and the films being standalone stories without any sequels or prequels or numbered attachments, is a triumph for the art of cinema.
Both films maintain their dominance on the domestic charts, securing the top two positions for the weekend. They exceeded all expectations, with Gerwig’s Doll movie achieving one of the post-pandemic’s top openings and setting a new record for the largest opening directed by a woman. Meanwhile, Nolan’s Oppenheimer ranks as the third-biggest opening ever for a biographical film in North America.
Francis Ford Coppola Criticizes Marvel Movies
During an interview, Francis Ford Coppola expressed agreement with Martin Scorsese’s remark that the Marvel Cinematic Universe lacks the essence of true cinema. While Scorsese had diplomatically stated it wasn’t cinema, Coppola took a more forceful stance, deeming it despicable. According to the iconic director, the proliferation of Marvel pictures epitomizes a formulaic approach, where a single prototype movie is reproduced repetitively with minor variations.
Notwithstanding his critique of the prevailing sequel and prequel culture popularized by Marvel, Coppola concluded the discussion on an optimistic note. Drawing from the success of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer, he conveyed his belief that these productions could serve as harbingers of a forthcoming golden age for the cinema industry. In his view, these unique films, standing as true one-offs, may signify a resurgence of creativity and originality in filmmaking, potentially breaking away from the trend of franchise-dominated cinema.
The dialogue between Coppola and Scorsese’s shared concerns regarding cinematic trends and the subsequent hopeful anticipation for a renaissance in the art form left the film community and enthusiasts intrigued about the potential direction cinema might take in the future.
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Source: Variety
