‘Making a $200M Cheap Looking Film is Expensive’: Fans Blast Russo Brothers For Calling Theaters Expensive and Elitist
The Gray Man is finally released in limited theatres, directed by The Russo Brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo), who recently shared watching a movie in the theatres is an ‘elitist notion’ however fans blasted the directors and shared their viewpoint to counter them. The action thriller Netflix movie is based on the 2009’s novel of the same name by Mark Greaney, starring Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jessica Henwick, Regé-Jean Page, Wagner Moura, Julia Butters, Dhanush, Alfre Woodard, and Billy Bob Thornton.
Also Read: Russo Brothers Might Be Banned From This Country After Shooting The Gray Man
The Gray Man directors are popularly known for directing four MCU movies namely Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. However, this movie starring Ryan Gosling is a different case as it is among the most expensive films made by Netflix with a production budget of $200 million.
Russo Brothers Shared Their Opinions on Filmmaking regarding The Gray Man
Also Read: Russo Brothers Reveal MCU Phase 5 Will Be Full of ‘Experimentation, Risks, Diversity’
The directors have entered a streaming platform with their new thriller film The Gray Man however, they got into debate explaining that the movies released in theatres would be an ‘elitist notion’ being ‘expensive,’ with Joe Russo stating, “We’re in crisis right now because everyone’s at war with each other. It’s sad to see, as guys who grew up loving film. A thing to remember, too, is it’s an elitist notion to be able to go to a theater. It’s very f****ng expensive.”
Also Read: The Gray Man Reviews Leave the Internet Divided as Critics Call it ‘Blandest Movie of the Summer’
“So, this idea that was created — that we hang on to — that the theater is a sacred space, is b****hit. And it rejects the idea of allowing everyone in under the tent.”
He supported digital distribution by saying, “Where digital distribution is valuable, other than what I said earlier about how it pushed diversity,” he also added having “some kind of culture war about whether there’s value in that or not is fucking bananas to us.”
Also Read: Russo Brothers Explain Disney is Hurting MCU Phase 4 Movies & Shows
Fans’ Reaction To Joe Russo Calling This Movie ‘Elitist notion’
Also Read: The Gray Man Star Ryan Gosling Wants the Russo Brothers To Help Him Get Into the MCU
Fans were not happy with the Russo brothers calling the movie an ‘elitist notion’ as many still enjoy watching the movie in theatres rather than binging it on the small screen. The directors even shared that the 2022’s thriller film is made for ‘theater.’ Anthony Russo shared, “This is big cinema. We made it for a theater. That’s how we shot it, how we styled it, and, on a technical level, how we supported it.” However, their statement caught the eye of fans sharing their opinions on the same.
Check out the tweets below.
Naah, very fucking expensive is a $200 million movie as cheap-looking as THE GRAY MAN https://t.co/4NIeMGI2Qc
— Justin Chang (@JustinCChang) July 16, 2022
Money will make you contradict yourself in the blink of an eye. I like the Russos, always will, but he's being a bit elitist himself.
— Javier Navarrete (@javywrites) July 16, 2022
How is going to a movie theater elitist? It’s still one of the most affordable forms of entertainment outside the home.
— Karl Jacob (@karlj91773) July 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/Decervelage/status/1548099866659737602?s=20&t=5ja0dycWBpl-6bP3coFSaQ
The directors also shared their working experience with Netflix explaining that they don’t bother the directors, “They’re very hands-off. Nobody bothers you,” Joe Russo said. “They have a different approach to how they control the budget on the movie. It’s not as stressful as it is at a studio.”
The Gray Man is currently running in limited theatres and will be released on Netflix on July 22.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter