The superhero genre has experienced a notable surge in the past decade, propelled by franchises like the MCU and similar productions. However, despite its success and acclaim, the genre has faced scrutiny from several Hollywood figures, including the acclaimed filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.
Known for his diverse filmography, Matt Damon also reflected the rise of globally appealing superhero movies. The Oscar-winner argued that the genre has significantly impacted the industry’s landscape, citing his own struggles in financing the Oscar-nominated film Manchester by the Sea.
Matt Damon on the Impact of Superhero Films on the Film Industry
In a candid interview with GQ, Hollywood star Matt Damon shared his thoughts on the dramatic shifts in the film industry, stating that the industry has significantly transformed over the past decade.
“It’s an entirely unrecognizable industry,” he said, noting the financial landscape of Hollywood. The actor recalled how 15 years ago substantial budgets were readily available for mid-range dramas.
I’ve laughed with my wife recently about the things I turned down 15 years ago. The amount of money that was available. Because DVDs are gone, that’s why the $20 to $70 million drama is gone; it’s not coming back.
The actor also pointed out the disappearance of the DVD market, stating that it has led to the decline of films focusing on character-driven stories. He contrasted it with the current trend of blockbuster superhero films, such as the MCU, a superhero franchise worth over $29 billion.
The 53-year-old actor argued that such films are designed for broad international appeal with minimal dialogue and straightforward plots. He said,
You’ve got a good guy and a bad guy. They’re going to fight three times. Good guy’s going to win twice. Everybody buys popcorn.
The Martian actor also shared his personal experience with the financial struggles of producing Manchester By The Sea, a film that had to make do with a $9 million budget.
Matt Damon Reflected on the Challenges of Producing Manchester By The Sea
Further in his conversation with GQ, Matt Damon shared the challenges of producing the 2016 Oscar-nominated drama, Manchester By The Sea. Damon emphasized that a similar project would have easily secured around a $20 million budget in the 90s.
“It was about the size of Good Will Hunting on half the budget of Good Will Hunting,” he said, underscoring the challenges faced by filmmakers trying to produce mid-budget dramas.
He also shared that they had initially planned an alternate ending but couldn’t proceed with it due to financial constraints. “There was a different ending,” he said. Damon shared that all they needed to film the sequence was a drone, but they couldn’t afford it.
“You know, we ran out of money,” he said, noting the industry’s shift towards blockbuster superhero films with budgets exceeding $300 million, such as Justice League and Marvel’s Avengers Endgame and Age of Ultron.
Despite his own success in films like The Martian, which grossed $630 million with a budget of $108 million, Damon expressed concern that such dynamics are unlikely to revert, marking a lasting transformation in the film industry.
And it seems evident with Marvel and DC’s extensive future plans, which extend as far as a decade into the future, further solidifying their franchise expansions.
Manchester By The Sea is available to stream on Prime Video.
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