Additional Coverage:
- Steven Soderbergh made a near-perfect spy movie. Why hasn’t anybody seen it? (businessinsider.com)
Soderbergh Reflects on Box Office Disappointment, Future of Filmmaking
Prolific director Steven Soderbergh is known for his diverse and extensive filmography, ranging from indie darlings like “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” to star-studded heist capers like “Ocean’s Eleven.” He consistently delivers unique, thought-provoking films. However, Soderbergh recently opened up about the challenges of navigating the current movie landscape following the underwhelming box office performance of his last two films, “Presence” and “Black Bag,” despite both receiving critical acclaim.
“Black Bag,” a twisty spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, and Lucy Liu, tied with Soderbergh’s debut film as his best-reviewed movie ever. Despite this, its theatrical run was short-lived.
This has led Soderbergh to reflect on the shifting dynamics of the film industry. He expressed frustration, noting the difficulty of capturing audience attention in an era dominated by big-budget franchises.
In a candid interview, Soderbergh discussed the challenges of mid-budget films finding their audience. He acknowledged that while Focus Features, the studio behind “Black Bag,” executed a strong marketing campaign and supported the film’s release, audiences simply didn’t show up. He questioned whether the shrinking theatrical window and the rise of streaming are contributing factors to this trend.
Soderbergh revealed that while the box office numbers were disappointing, the studio expects to break even on “Black Bag” through downstream revenue, including video-on-demand and streaming. He expressed relief at not losing the studio’s money, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relationships for future projects.
Looking ahead, Soderbergh admitted uncertainty about his next project. He’s currently finishing “The Christophers,” an independently financed film, and is open to exploring both theatrical and streaming releases. However, he acknowledged the need to adapt and find material that resonates with a wider audience.
Soderbergh also touched upon other aspects of his career, including a shelved prequel to “Logan Lucky,” written by his wife, Jules Asner. The project, which would have explored the backstory of Daniel Craig’s character, was put on hold due to the original film’s underperformance. He also expressed his hope that his critically acclaimed HBO series, “The Knick,” would find a wider audience through streaming.
Finally, Soderbergh weighed in on David Fincher’s upcoming sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.” He expressed little surprise, citing the strong working relationship between Fincher and Brad Pitt, and noting Tarantino’s unexpected willingness to hand the reins to another director.
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- Steven Soderbergh made a near-perfect spy movie. Why hasn’t anybody seen it? (businessinsider.com)