“That wasn’t the goal”: Aquaman 2 Director Hates Original $1 Billion Horror Franchise Getting “Torture P*rn” Tag
When Saw was released in 2004, it signaled the beginning of two things. First, it marked the start of a franchise that would go on to become a major flagship of the horror genre in the 2000s, for better or worse. James Wan, the film’s director, was the other. James Wan has an established reputation that precedes him. He became the one who created eerie set-pieces that prepare audiences for jump scares after satisfying his haunted home hunger with Dead Silence and The Conjuring. Wan insisted on eliminating these clichés for his newest film, Malignant.
James Wan Does Not Like The Tag ‘Torture P*rn’
Many people overlook how original the original Saw was, opting to ignore the fact that it’s essentially a thriller in their eagerness to brand it “torture p*rn.” Whatever your opinion of the Saw sequels’ excessive use of gore and preference for what has come to be described as “torture p*rn,” the original movie heralded the entry of fresh talent in genre filmmaking in the form of its writer/co-star Leigh Whannell.
In a recent interview with Hollywood Reporter, James Wan said that Leigh and he did not make that movie just for the sake of exploitation and he does not like this being tagged as only a “torture p*rn.”
“It was because that wasn’t the goal. Leigh and I didn’t just write a shocking movie for the sake of being an exploitation, schlocky movie. There was a lot of thought and craft put into the screenplay, so it felt like a derogatory term to describe it. It was eventually used to describe the subgenre that it became — and Saw was a big part of that particular movement — but I definitely wasn’t too excited about that term. But now, in hindsight, I look back at that time period with a little bit more of a rose-tinted view. Saw was very much a reflection of the era in which it was made, post-9/11. We felt that the movie, in some strange way, was kind of relevant to that sociopolitical period of time. There was a lot of torture going on in the world. So, from a historical standpoint, I’m OK with it, but it also helps that Leigh and I have gone on to do many other things. We are not defined by just that one thing.”
Wan has come to be associated with horror movie series. Nine feature films have come from Saw, and more could follow. Over a billion dollars have been made worldwide from The Conjuring Universe.
James Wan- The King Of Horror Movies!
James Wan is someone to keep an eye on if they want to create a horror film that is both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Some of the most successful and well-liked horror movies of the last ten years have been made by the filmmaker of Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring.
Despite the fact that Wan is best known for box office successes like Aquaman and Furious 7, the director has enjoyed great success with his approach to the horror genre. The Conjuring universe is what it is because of James Wan’s outstanding direction. He not only created the Conjuring series, but he has also built a prosperous career by producing other classic horror films.
James Wan firmly established himself as the horror king in Hollywood after the release of The Conjuring. This first entry in the franchise was a huge hit and featured the actual paranormal investigator Ed and Lorraine Warren. Later, Wan directed The Conjuring 2, which again earned favorable reviews and box office results.
“My goal is to scare myself,” he once said to Vulture. “If I can scare myself with my ideas and my concept, then you know there’s a very good chance that there’s a group of people out there that would feel the same way as I do.”
In a press conference, the filmmaker described his process for creating these wildly popular franchises, explaining that his first step is to identify the stories he wants to depict. Wan claims that by relating to characters and placing himself in the audience’s position, he is able to gain insight into what can result in success. The director cites The Conjuring and Insidious as two examples of films where viewers can identify with the main characters, which he says is essential for winning over fans. According to Wan, the greatest thrills and shivers come from the audience’s ability to imagine oneself in the shoes of these individuals.
Also Read: The Conjuring : 12 Behind The Scenes Facts About ” The Devil Made Me Do It”
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
