5 Movies That Were Hurt By A Mid-Film Director Change

5 Movies That Were Hurt By A Mid-Film Director Change

Movies cost more to make than ever before. Studios are keen to see their films make a profit. If a production is taking too long or not hitting the beats the studio wants to see, there’s a high chance the suits will step in to make things right. Sometimes studios think a film is so far gone that the only option left is to replace the director.

Changing a director is like giving a film a heart transplant. It’s a huge risk and many films that make the change end up flopping. Check out our list of five films that were hurt by a mid-production director change.

Justice League

Sometimes director changes can’t be helped. Zack Snyder made the decision to step down as director of Justice League after his 20-year-old daughter tragically committed suicide. Warner Bros. brought in Joss Whedon to finish the film, whose lighthearted style clashed with the darker tone Snyder had work. Whedon’s changes required reshoots that resulted in poorly done CGI being used to remove a mustache Henry Cavill had grown for another film.

Exorcist: The Beginning

This movie has a sordid pre-production that eventually resulted in two different films being produced about the same idea (both starring Stellan Skarsgard). Paul Schrader had already replaced an ailing John Frakenheimer when the studio decided that the film would not draw audiences. They went back to the drawing board and hired Renny Harlin who shot an entirely different screenplay. The Schrader film was eventually released as Dominion: Prequel To the Exorcist. Neither film was successful.

The 13th Warrior

The adaption of Michael Crichton’s epic book Eaters of the Dead was originally going to share its name with the book but was reimagined as The 13th Warrior when John McTiernan was replaced by Crichton after the film failed to please test audiences. This pushed the film’s release date back by a year. While Crichton shot a new ending and replaced the film’s composer, McTiernan was still billed as the film’s director. Despite a strong opening, the movie was not able to make a profit.

Rumor Has It

What happens when you fire a writer/director from their passion project? Their passion project flops. Such was the tragic story of Rumor Has It. Director Ted Griffin was let go for falling far behind schedule. This was in part due to his firing of cinematographer Ed Lachman. Village Roadshow Pictures hired Rob Reiner as a replacement and the script was reworked by Kathy Bates. None of the original film saw the light of day.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

“Creative differences” can mean whatever a studio wants. For Phil Lord and Chris Miller, it meant that they were removed from the latest Star Wars film. Rumors still make the rounds of the cut of the film we would have gotten if the duo had not been let go. Some speculate that they were replaced because they were working too much comedy into the script but it is more likely that Lucasfilm did not approve of the directors’ improvisational style that would have deviated from the screenplay penned by Lawrence Kasdan.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.

How to Pursue an Acting Career

How to Pursue an Acting Career

Building a successful acting career requires talent, practice, and hard work. Some might even say luck helps as well. But one thing is certain, and that is you need a plan. You’ve taken several acting classes, but what’s next? Here are a few pointers to get you on the road to acting success.

Decide What Type of Jobs You Want

Some actors primarily make movies. Some appear mostly on Broadway, and still others are seen primarily on television. That’s because most actors focus on a specific area. That doesn’t mean they can’t accept a variety of jobs. It’s just the main focus is on building a career in a specific area. So, what do you want to do?

It’s great if you already know what you’re going after. Maybe you know you’re meant for movies. Or maybe Broadway is your goal. But if all you know is that you want to act, then you need a more concrete goal. Put yourself out there and audition for various jobs. You’ll discover what type of roles you do and don’t enjoy playing.

Find the Work

An actor interested in theater might move to New York or Chicago. An actor interested in television or movies might choose Los Angeles or London. Investigate to discover which cities offer the best opportunities for actors. If you’re not close to one of these locations, you’ll want to consider relocating. You’ll never get work if you’re too far away to reach auditions.

Get Experience

When you’re a new actor, it helps to start building a portfolio as soon as possible. The more credits you have, the better. That means taking small parts in commercials, doing local theater, or being an extra. You might audition for one role, but then a casting director suggests you try for another part. Do it. At this stage in your career, you’re just trying to get work. However, don’t let anyone force you to perform roles that make you feel degraded or ashamed. If it feels wrong, then it’s not for you.

Network

Having the right connections plays a big role in building an acting career. People like working with actors that they already know and like. They’re also likely to recommend those actors to others in the industry. Attend networking events, parties, conferences, expos, shows, and other events that allow networking. Just keep in mind that getting work in your number one priority. Networking is important, but it shouldn’t interfere with auditioning.

Hire an Agent

An agent will have information about roles and auditions that aren’t publicly known. This will give you access to roles you couldn’t get on your own. Get an agent who has access to the type of jobs you want. If you want to pursue television, then find an agent who works in that area. An agent who specializes in theater isn’t the best choice for finding work in movies.

Logan Sekulow is a renowned producer and director.

The Top 5 Most Underrated Movies of All Time

The Top 5 Most Underrated Movies of All Time

Making a film is always a bit of a gamble with no perfect formula for a success or a flop. Even movies with A-list actors, award winning directors, and an established fan base, such as the recent Solo: A Star Wars Story, can fall short at the box office. Whatever the reasons, some wonderfully made films just don’t get the attention they deserve. Below is five of the most underrated movies of all time.

About Time:

This 2013 film has the wonderful ability to balance so many aspect of storytelling. It’s comedic, dramatic, sincere, and magical, all while maintaining a grounded sense of realism. The film is centered around Tim Lake, an awkward and anxious guy who discovers the men in his family have the gift to travel back in time. Tim uses his gift to improve his life, but soon realizes that time is more complicated and precious than he ever considered. While it is plagued with a handful of plot holes related to the time traveling, the film’s charm outshines it’s problems by far.

Waitress:

While this story has become more popular thanks to the hit Broadway musical, the movie experienced mild success at the box office. The film is a quintessential American dream story. Jenna Hunterson (played by Keri Russell) is known throughout her small town for the deliciously inventive pies she makes at Joe’s Pie Diner. Jenna dreams of a better life away from her brutish husband Earl, but an unplanned pregnancy make her dream seem impossible. Upset over the baby, she goes to meet with her doctor to discover he’s been replace by the young and attractive Jim Pomatter. Sparks fly and Jenna has to figure out what she truly wants in life.

A Goofy Movie:

Nestled in the heart of the Disney animated renaissance with a release date surrounded by films like The Lion King, Pocahontas, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Toy Story…A Goofy Movie never stood a chance of being a box office success. While Goofy is often used as a source of slapstick comedy, this film displays the emotional side of the classic Disney character. In the film, Goofy wrestles with the reality that his son Max is growing up and distancing himself from his father. In an attempt to repair their relationship, Goofy plans a father-son fishing trip that quickly turns into a hijinks riddled road trip across the country.

Hot Rod:

Originally written for Will Ferrell, this comedy was shelved by the studio until Andy Sandberg’s The Lonely Island gave the project new life. The film follows Rod Kimble, who dreams of becoming a famous stuntman like Evel Knievel. When Rod finds out that his step-dad Frank needs a heart transplant, he decides to jump his motorcycle over 15 school buses to raise money for the surgery. The film is a classic “village idiot” tale filled with offbeat humor that true comedy diehards will love.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople:

This New Zealand film made a splash internationally, but barely made a ripple in the United States. Critics loved the film with Rotten Tomatoes giving it a 97% rating. In the film, Ricky Baker, a troubled kid in the child welfare system, gets place in the rugged home of Bella and Hec. After Bella unexpectedly dies, Ricky runs off to the woods, fearing he’ll be taken back by child welfare. Realizing Ricky is gone, Hec decides to chase after him and the two become fugitives together. This oddball adventure is as heartfelt as it is funny.

Logan Sekulow is a producer and director who’s known for relaunching Laugh-O-Gram studios.