In light of the disappointing box office performance of Digger, Ben Affleck has sounded the alarm about the potential consequences of dismissing ambitious filmmaking, arguing it may lead to an influx of uninspired, formulaic movies in the collectibles and entertainment market.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the acclaimed actor reflected on the critical response to Tom Cruise’s latest project. He emphasized that harsh criticism of adventurous films could deter studios from undertaking bold creative endeavors in the future.
“It’s a little bit like the high-school bullying thing, with people who hadn’t even seen movies. You see it happening now, frankly, with Digger. Everybody wants to celebrate this bomb as if it’s the most exciting thing to happen, and you think like, it’s a pretty ambitious, interesting movie made by interesting people that have talent,” Affleck stated.
“Everybody wants to count the money, what it lost or whatever. To me, I just think, like, if you punish movies that take risks, guess what you’re going to get? A bunch of shitty, homogenized movies,” he asserted. “You cannot do something interesting without taking a big swing, and that means you’re going to sometimes look bad.”
In a review by The Hollywood Reporter, chief film critic David Rooney remarked that Digger embodies the clash of overblown egos, suggesting that it reflects poorly on the state of big-budget filmmaking today. The film opened with only $8 million domestically and $12 million internationally, sparking widespread discussions about the risks and rewards of creative filmmaking.
Amidst the backlash, notable figures like Anne Hathaway have defended Digger, praising its ambition and creativity. Hathaway, who simultaneously released her own film, took to Letterboxd to share her positive assessment, emphasizing the value of artistic exploration.
As the collectibles community closely observes the dynamics of film productions, the outcomes of bold cinematic endeavors such as Digger could shape the types of products collectors may encounter in the future. Innovative storytelling can inspire unique figures and merchandise, whereas a trend toward homogenization might limit the diversity available in collectibles.
Based on reporting by Hollywood Reporter. Read the full story at Hollywood Reporter.
