10 Hollywood Passion Projects That Flopped at the Box Office

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The world of Hollywood is frequently perceived as a realm fueled by fervor. It serves as a melting pot where creative minds and dreamers congregate, translating their imaginative concepts into reality on the big screen. Numerous films have originated from passionate endeavors of their filmmakers, encompassing scriptwriters, producers, directors, or actors. These projects typically germinate from an initial thought, a small flame that rapidly grows into a blazing desire to manifest that narrative for public consumption. This passion can be incredibly intense; the filmmaker will face and surmount considerable challenges and go to great lengths to ensure the completion of their project, often sacrificing significant amounts of time, sometimes spanning decades, and substantial sums of money in the process.

Among some of the most renowned movies are those that filmmakers poured their heart into, such as “Apocalypse Now,” “Avatar,” and “The Lord of the Rings.” Passion can be infectious, but not every passion project becomes a hit. Sometimes, it’s due to poor execution or simply because the initial concept wasn’t strong enough. Regardless of the filmmakers’ skill and enthusiasm, these ten passion projects unfortunately failed to make an impact at the theater box office.

10
‘The Fountain’ (2006)

Darren Aronofsky’s films are recognized for their somber themes, intense narratives, and dreamlike visuals, and The Fountain is no different. A grand production that combines elements of fantasy, science fiction, drama, and romance, The Fountain features multiple storylines but primarily centers on a man grappling with mortality as he desperately seeks the solution to save his dying spouse. Aronofsky devised this story in 2000, just after finishing Requiem for a Dream. Initially, he intended to direct The Fountain on a $70 million budget with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett in the main roles. However, Pitt’s departure and an increasing budget led to the film’s cancellation.

Eager to adapt his tale onto the silver screen, Aronofsky revised the script for The Fountain. He successfully restarted production with a $35 million budget and secured Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz as replacements for Pitt and Blanchett. Despite Aronofsky’s efforts potentially salvaging the project, his creation still received mixed reviews and underperformed at the box office, earning only $16.5 million. Nevertheless, The Fountain has garnered a dedicated fanbase in the years since its debut.

9
‘Under the Cherry Moon’ (1986)

In 1984, pop phenomenon Prince found great success with his first album “Purple Rain,” a film and soundtrack both equally iconic. The movie’s triumph, combined with Prince’s burgeoning fame, prompted Warner Bros. to swiftly approve his next film project, titled “Under the Cherry Moon.” In this film, two brothers hatch a plan to swindle a rich heiress, but one of them develops feelings for her. As tensions rose regarding the movie’s direction, Prince took it upon himself to direct, asserting full control over his cherished project. However, as his initial directorial endeavor demonstrated, even Prince has certain limitations.

The film titled “Under the Cherry Moon” received harsh criticism and failed to perform well at the box office, earning only $10 million despite a production budget of $12 million. However, since Prince’s passing, it has garnered a dedicated cult following. Interestingly, the soundtrack for this movie surpassed the film’s success; it sold over a million copies and added another platinum disc to Prince’s collection of awards.

8
‘Beyond the Sea’ (2004)

In a time not so long ago, before personal circumstances overshadowed his talent, I – as an ardent movie enthusiast – found myself captivated by the spellbinding performances of Kevin Spacey, a towering figure in Tinseltown. Interestingly enough, he shared a profound admiration for the legendary singer Bobby Darin. Collaborating with Bobby’s son, Dodd Darin, I helped bring to life “Beyond the Sea,” a biopic that skillfully intertwines the true story of Bobby Darin with dreamlike scenes and imaginatively crafted narratives.

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but share my take on the intriguing tale behind “Beyond the Sea.” Kevin Spacey took on a triple role as co-writer, producer, and director of this film, an ambitious endeavor indeed. Interestingly, he also chose to embody Bobby Darin, a role that many advised him against due to his advanced age of 44 – an age the real Darin never attained.

Intriguingly, Spacey utilized his own vocal cords for the singing scenes in the movie. The film garnered mixed responses from critics, yet some appreciated Spacey’s performance enough to acknowledge it with a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Despite the acclaim, “Beyond the Sea” floundered at the box office, managing only $8.4 million in revenue against a production budget of a staggering $25 million.

7
‘Swept Away’ (2002)

Guy Ritchie’s movies often have similar traits: they’re set in England, filled with witty banter, brimming with rapid action, and boast unusual characters. However, upon examining his body of work, it appears that one film seems out of place – the 2002 movie titled Swept Away. This is a remake of the 1974 Italian film carrying the same name, which focuses on the developing romance between an affluent socialite and a communist sailor who find themselves stranded on a Mediterranean island.

In this project, Ritchie chose his then-wife Madonna as the main actress. It was almost like a labor of love for both of them. Unfortunately, the movie, titled “Swept Away,” was a flop, failing critically and commercially. The film managed to earn only a million dollars despite a budget of ten million dollars. Despite the movie’s failure, Ritchie and Madonna’s partnership proved more successful; however, they eventually parted ways in 2008, divorcing.

6
‘Horizon: An American Saga’ (2024)

Horizon: An American Saga” marks the debut of a planned series of Western dramas by actor-director Kevin Costner, initially conceived in 1988. These movies, including its sequels, are set amidst the backdrop of the American Civil War and depict various characters’ lives in the Midwest. Unfortunately, despite years in development, the release of “Horizon: An American Saga” was delayed until 2024. However, the film struggled at the box office, generating only $38 million globally against a production budget of $50 million.

Three follow-up movies are being made right now. The second installment had its premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival back in August 2024. But, due to the lackluster reception of the first movie, its release date has been pushed back indefinitely. Also, production on the last two movies of the series has been temporarily halted. Costner remains dedicated to finishing his beloved project, but he’s starting to question if it can actually be done.

5
‘Glitter’ (2001)

Legendary vocalist Mariah Carey is renowned for her exceptional singing ability and one of the most powerful voices in music. However, her talent doesn’t seem to translate into filmmaking. In the late ’90s, following her rise to the summit of pop music, Carey embarked on a movie project titled All That Glitters, which eventually became known as Glitter. This semi-autobiographical story chronicles a club dancer’s aspirations to become a singer and her romance with a DJ during the 1980s. Carey was also involved in creating the soundtrack for this film.

Prior to its debut, the movie “Glitter” faced unfavorable media attention. Rumors circulated about Mariah Carey’s unstable behavior during filming, leading to her hospitalization due to extreme exhaustion and a mental and emotional collapse. The soundtrack was launched on September 11th, and unfortunately, the film itself was released 10 days later to a barrage of harsh criticism, particularly concerning Mariah Carey’s performance.

The movie, titled “Glitter,” underperformed significantly at the box office, earning just $5.3 million despite a production budget of $22 million. Regrettably for Mariah, not everything that sparkles turns out to be gold. However, the film’s soundtrack saw a revival in 2018, reaching number one on the iTunes charts due to the viral social media movement #JusticeForGlitter.

4
‘The Alamo’ (1960)

John Wayne is well-known for his roles in Western movies, earning him the status of a Hollywood legend and America’s on-screen cowboy. Over the years spanning from 1926 to 1977, he starred in more than 170 films, yet until 1960, he had never taken up directing. Determined to change this, he embarked on his directorial career with the release of The Alamo, a film that held personal appeal for Wayne since 1945. As its name indicates, the movie is grounded in the Battle of the Alamo, an event that took place during the Texas Revolution.

To make his idea a reality, Wayne established Batjac Productions and partnered with United Artists for financial backing and distribution. This arrangement led him to take on the role of Davy Crockett in The Alamo, which wasn’t part of his initial plan. Furthermore, he obtained extra funding from affluent Texans and personally invested approximately $1.5 million into the project, considering it a sound investment at the time. However, little did he know… how far from the truth that belief was.

The movie titled “The Alamo” received positive acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Picture category. It performed moderately well in cinemas, earning approximately $20 million during its release. However, due to the film’s substantial production expenses, it is often considered a financial failure, despite attempts by stars like John Wayne and Davy Crockett to save it. Even their efforts couldn’t prevent John Wayne from losing his personal investment, which forced him to sell his rights to United Artists, enabling the company to recoup its losses.

3
‘After Earth’ (2013)

As a devoted fan, I’ve seen Will Smith face some tough blows throughout his acting journey. From the critically panned “Wild Wild West” in 1999, to the infamous Oscars slap on Chris Rock, and the box office flop “After Earth” in 2013, Smith’s career has had its share of ups and downs. Interestingly enough, it was during a viewing of the survival series “I Shouldn’t Be Alive” that sparked the idea for “After Earth.” This initial concept revolved around a father and son who crash their vehicle in an isolated location. Over time, this simple idea evolved into a science fiction tale, set on Earth a thousand years after humans had abandoned it, marking the beginning of a planned trilogy.

In an unexpected move, Smith enlisted M. Night Shyamalan, fresh off the failure of The Last Airbender, to direct his upcoming film. Not only that, but he and his son, Jaden, were cast as the main characters. However, After Earth did not turn out to be the successful father-son project Smith had envisioned. The movie received negative reviews and underperformed at the box office, earning $243.8 million against a production budget of $130 million. Any plans for turning this film into a franchise swiftly fell apart.

Following the poor performance of the movie “After Earth“, Smith decided to step away from acting for approximately 1.5 years. On the other hand, Jaden has not been seen in any films since then, leading one to wonder if he’s taking an extended break from the industry. Could it be a very long sabbatical from acting? In 2015, Will Smith referred to “After Earth” as his most agonizing career failure and expressed remorse for involving his son in the project; however, this sentiment may have shifted after the well-known incident at the Oscars.

2
‘Megalopolis’ (2024)

Veteran filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has been meticulously crafting his ambitious science fiction masterpiece titled Megalopolis, a project he’s nurtured for an extended period. In fact, it’s been so long in the making that one could say it’s been a labor of love spanning decades. The concept for Megalopolis was born during Coppola’s work on yet another enduring passion project, Apocalypse Now, back in 1977. This epic tale unfolds in a revamped vision of contemporary America, focusing on an architect who commands time and encounters resistance as he endeavors to transform Manhattan into a utopia following a catastrophic event that decimates the city. The narrative essentially transposes the grandeur of ancient Rome into a futuristic New York City, thereby creating the unique setting for this captivating story.

As a devoted cinephile, for what seems like an eternity, I’ve been patiently waiting for the masterpiece “Megalopolis” to see the light of day. However, it seemed as though fate was conspiring against its creation, getting stuck in developmental limbo due to numerous factors. One of the significant hurdles was that Coppola struggled to find a production studio willing to invest the substantial funds required to breathe life into his grand vision.

After much deliberation spanning years, Coppola made a bold decision. He chose to part ways with a segment of his wine empire and used the earnings, approximately $120 million, to bring “Megalopolis” to life on his own terms.

Following almost five decades of delays, Coppola finally finished “Megalopolis”, which premiered in the year 2024. However, this film did not fare well for the esteemed director as it received a blend of positive and negative reviews due to its complex and overloaded narrative. Regrettably, it underperformed at the box office. The total earnings were $13.9 million, while the production budget ranged between $120–136 million. It must have been disheartening for Francis, having waited 50 years to bring his creation to life, only to face such a response.

1
‘Battlefield Earth’ (2000)

Known in the cinematic sphere, Battlefield Earth narrates a uprising against extraterrestrials who have governed Earth for a millennium. The movie is adapted from a sci-fi novel of the same title penned by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, so be prepared for an unusual tale. When the book was initially released in 1982, Hubbard personally sent an autographed copy to John Travolta, another Scientologist, with the hope that he would someday transform his novel into a film. Once Travolta took interest in this concept, he never relinquished it.

Following his professional resurgence in the mid-90s, John Travolta leveraged his renewed popularity to bring Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision to life on the big screen. The movie “Battlefield Earth” was produced and starred by Travolta himself, debuting in 2000. However, it came as no surprise (except perhaps to Travolta) that the film was a critical and financial flop. It earned $29.7 million against a production budget of between $73–$103 million, resulting in a loss equivalent to around $130 million in 2024. Not only did “Battlefield Earth” bomb at the box office, but it also drove Franchise Pictures, one of its producers, into bankruptcy.

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2025-01-09 05:32