8 Hollywood Movies That Nearly Destroyed Directors’ Careers: From Green Lantern To Gigli

Directing a film sounds glamorous, megaphone in hand, visions of Oscars dancing in your head. However in actuality? It’s extra like herding caffeinated cats by means of a minefield. One mistaken transfer, and Hollywood will toss you into the “has-been” pile sooner than you may say “inventive variations.” Even probably the most good administrators aren’t immune. A single catastrophe on the field workplace, and immediately, your subsequent gig is directing automobile commercials in Ohio.

Among the films on this record got here from fresh-faced newcomers; others had been from seasoned legends who made one epic misstep. Whether or not it was a bloated ardour undertaking or a tone-deaf misfire, these movies didn’t simply flop, they practically despatched their administrators into profession exile. And whereas a number of managed a comeback, others grew to become cautionary tales whispered in studio boardrooms. Buckle up, as a result of Hollywood’s fall from grace could be simply as dramatic (and entertaining) as its largest blockbusters.

Green Lantern (2011)

Green Lantern didn’t simply tank on the field workplace, it crash-landed with sufficient drive to derail Martin Campbell’s golden streak. As soon as the person who revived James Bond twice (hiya, GoldenEye and On line casino Royale), Campbell immediately discovered himself on Hollywood’s “possibly subsequent time” record.

Positive, Ryan Reynolds will get all of the memes, however Campbell took the true profession punch. After Green Lantern, he nonetheless made stable films like The Foreigner, however the big-budget playground wasn’t as open to him anymore. It’s an actual loss, too. His knack for slick motion combined with real coronary heart is strictly what as we speak’s CGI-heavy chaos might use. Superhero misfires: 1. Gritty motion kings: 0.

Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Jupiter Ascending was purported to be the Wachowskis’ triumphant sci-fi comeback, however as a substitute, it crash-landed someplace between “what am I watching?” and “go the popcorn.” Armed with a large finances, flying house boots, and a shirtless Channing Tatum as a dog-man hybrid (sure, actually), the film dazzled the eyes however misplaced the guts.

Critics and audiences didn’t purchase into the chaos, and Hollywood undoubtedly took notes. The movie’s colossal flop marked the final time the Wachowskis directed collectively, leaving Lana to courageous The Matrix: Resurrections solo later. Ambition isn’t at all times rewarded in Tinseltown, and Jupiter Ascending proves that typically the celebrities simply don’t align, regardless of how cool the jet boots are.

Rollerball (2002)

As soon as the king of explosive ’80s and ’90s motion, John McTiernan (Predator, Die Laborious) took a nosedive with Rollerball (2002), and it wasn’t simply his profession that crashed. The messy, tone-deaf remake tanked on the field workplace and shredded no matter goodwill he had left in Hollywood. However the true kicker?

Behind-the-scenes drama spiraled so wildly that McTiernan ended up wiretapping his personal producer and later served time in federal jail for it. Speak about an epic plot twist. Rollerball wasn’t only a dangerous film; it triggered the director’s downfall, ending a legendary profession with a heavy thud. Sadly, McTiernan by no means fairly rolled again into Hollywood’s good graces.

Ghosts of Mars (2002)

John Carpenter, the maestro of spine-chilling horror and sci-fi, didn’t simply create iconic movies; he outlined genres. However 2002’s Ghosts of Mars was a trainwreck in house, derailing his once-unstoppable profession. Think about an area Western action-horror a couple of ghost-possession plague on Mars. Sounds epic, proper?

Sadly, Carpenter’s mixture of quirky style tropes and heavy metallic vibes couldn’t save this one from field workplace oblivion. Ghosts successfully ended Carpenter’s reign as a go-to director, leaving him grounded. His final movie, The Ward, was a tragic swan track, and now, the legendary director is generally a nostalgic determine. No less than he’s nonetheless round to hang-out the Halloween franchise.

Poseidon (2006)

Wolfgang Petersen’s Poseidon tried to make a splash however ended up extra of a stomach flop. Recognized for cinematic triumphs like Das Boot, the legendary director’s foray into catastrophe blockbusters couldn’t save the day. A CGI-heavy, substance-light thrill journey, Poseidon was the Titanic of flops, sinking with a $70-$80 million price ticket.

The movie marked a profession crossroads for Petersen, whose post-disaster output barely made waves. After Poseidon, his solely notable movie was the obscure 2016 crime-comedy Vier Gegen die Financial institution, proving that not all administrators are supposed to journey the excessive seas. Typically, they sink into cinematic obscurity.

Gods of Egypt (2016)

As soon as a visionary director with The Crow and Darkish Metropolis, Alex Proyas discovered himself misplaced within the desert with Gods of Egypt. Mixing historic mythology with Hollywood aptitude, the movie boasted a star-studded solid however didn’t weave its magic. With clunky particular results and a narrative that couldn’t fly, it grew to become a box-office and significant disaster.

This 2016 flop could be Proyas’s final movie to this point, marking a bitter finish to his big-budget days. However don’t rely him out. Proyas rebounded by launching a manufacturing firm in 2019 and VidiVerse in 2021, aiming to convey recent indie voices to the world. Who says you may’t rise from the ruins?

Gigli (2003)

Martin Brest, the once-celebrated director behind Beverly Hills Cop and Scent of a Girl, discovered himself in movie-making purgatory with Gigli, a movie so disastrous it virtually single-handedly destroyed his profession. The romantic comedy, notorious for its baffling plot and oddball performances, was tormented by studio interference, leaving Brest livid and so disillusioned that he determined to retire from directing altogether.

Whereas Gigli earned the doubtful honor of being a field workplace flop and significant nightmare, it’s a disgrace we by no means noticed extra of Brest’s deft storytelling. What a tragic story of a director silenced by Hollywood’s meddling, leaving us with an unfulfilled potential that also stings.

Pinocchio (2002)

Roberto Benigni’s heart-wrenching brilliance in Life is Lovely earned him an Oscar, however his follow-up, 2002’s Pinocchio, fell flat like a wood puppet with no strings hooked up. Geared toward youngsters, the movie couldn’t fairly seize the magic or whimsy one would possibly count on from a beloved fairy story.

Benigni’s attraction and enthusiasm merely weren’t sufficient to convey the beloved character to life, leaving audiences and critics underwhelmed. Whereas the movie’s failure derailed his directing profession, Benigni hasn’t given up on performing, staying lively on display. Sadly, Pinocchio will at all times be the bump within the street for a director with a lot potential, leaving us eager for extra directorial magic.

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