In this HitFix interview, Grieg Fraser (DP on Zero Dark Thirty, Killing Them Softly) talks about being tapped to film the Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) helmed Star Wars spin off.
With all of the talk the last few days about future plans for Marvel and DC cinematic universes, it’s interesting to think about the future of the Star War intellectual property. Only a few leaked photos/concept art pieces and zero footage of the first JJ Abrams Star Wars film has been seen and yet there are already multiple sequels and spin offs in the works. With at least a three movie trilogy and rumoured Han Solo and Boba Fett spin offs in the works, we’re talking about no less than five films over the next several years.
Can the market sustain another massive genre specific cinematic franchise. One could reasonably argue that folk who are interested in Marvel or DC or Star Wars would probably be interested in two or more likely all three of those properties in some way. Let’s take a look at 2017 in this lovely infographic put together by Comics Alliance.
There are 10 (10!) movies scheduled between Marvel and DC in 2017. Save Lego Batman all of these will probably have budgets in the $150-$200 million range including marketing. Possibly even more for Justice League which will necessitate a huge cast. Now add in two or maybe even three Star Wars movies. Things get bloated very fast. Even assuming one or two of those Marvel/DC movies is delayed, it’s still a rough schedule to wrap your head around. We are quickly approaching a state of having one or more “event” movies every single month.
How many times can the planet (or a planet in the case of Star Wars/GotG) be endangered before audiences start tuning it all out?
But hey, I don’t blame Disney/Marvel or WB/DC one bit. In poker they say to put your chips on the table when you know you have the best hand. These movies are selling right now and it makes complete sense for these companies to be going all in. I just have to wonder about the saturation point and how much is too much.
