As a film enthusiast with over three decades of experience in Hollywood, I can confidently say that the script you have is indeed promising. What it needs now is a visionary director who can bring it to life on the big screen.
This past summer saw a resurgence of recognition for the iconic 20th Century logo, complete with sweeping spotlights, as theatrical crowds reacquainted themselves with it. With its Disney-owned subsidiary dominating the scene, this was largely due to blockbusters like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes“, “Alien: Romulus“, and “The First Omen“. Even “Deadpool & Wolverine“, which earned a staggering $1.3 billion, showcased the logo both before and during the film – a tribute in part to the Marvel movies of the Fox era that preceded it.
20th Century Studios has been skillfully steered through its transitions by Steve Asbell, a seasoned Fox executive who assumed presidency in 2020, right as the pandemic began. He expertly managed the shift from traditional films to pandemic-themed movies, then navigated the move to streaming platforms and finally returned to theatrical releases.
While many summer films this year revolve around established franchises, the studio is keenly focused on what’s next. They are collaborating with emerging filmmakers for streaming projects that could potentially transition to the big screen if a suitable opportunity arises. Moreover, they are accelerating efforts on original movies intended for cinema release.
As we’re riding this wave of triumph, I can’t help but feel excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We’ve got some equity and momentum now, which feels like having a clear shot at the next target. Speaking of targets, we’re diving into production for a Bruce Springsteen project featuring Jeremy Allen White this month. Come January, we’ll be shooting “Send Help” with Sam Raimi. Next year, you can expect a comedy from James L. Brookes and a spy thriller titled “The Amateur” starring Rami Malek. The summer will bring even more projects to life!
These days, the offices are bustling with energy, featuring a lifelike simian from the “Planet Apes” series, wearing stylish sunglasses, who warmly welcomes visitors. Additionally, an elegant wooden and glass cabinet is under construction to display the division’s numerous historical Oscars.
As Alien concludes its cinema release in October, with Springsteen’s production on the horizon, Asbell – who manages nine production executives and their teams – is taking a brief respite. He recently spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about juggling streaming and cinema, original content and established properties, and revealed more than intended regarding two upcoming Predator films slated for release next year.
2024 marks the time when 20th Century Studios truly established itself as a significant entity within the Disney empire, showcasing its unique identity. But one may wonder, what does it mean to be 20th Century Studios in the year 2024?
I’ve been with Disney for nearly five years, and it’s been an incredible voyage. What makes it special is that there’s no division between us; we’re all one team. From the very start, Alan Bergman, our co-chair, has been a strong advocate for us. He’s backed our projects in marketing, distribution, and publicity, and as a result, we’ve grown close and become friends. It feels like we’re integrated within Disney, and this summer in particular, we managed to add value to the larger Disney model. Recently, David Greenbaum joined us, who I’m fortunate to call an old friend. He’s an executive with exceptional taste and has brought a fresh energy to both divisions. This means more opportunities for filmmakers, successful franchises, and original films for both cinema and streaming platforms.
Where is the balance between originals and franchise plays?
Currently, it seems that by next year, we will have a clearer picture regarding half of our planned projects. Our initial focus was on determining the sequence for our franchise films, such as Avatar, Apes, Alien , and Predator. We’ve successfully established the appropriate timing for these titles, and now we can confidently state, “We know when the next Avatar film will be released. We have details on the upcoming Predator project. There will be another Apes movie in 2027, let’s say.” With this clarity about our franchise releases, we can now consider and explore what type of original movies within various genres we’d like to introduce to test the market.
How do you decide which ones go streaming and which ones don’t?
The shift in scenery now favors a resurgence of theatrical productions. There’s an expanded scope for films in this category, yet with the merger of Disney+ and Hulu, there’s an enormous viewer base for these [streamed] movies. There remains a certain liberty in streaming films where we can experiment freely, allowing them to find their unique identity without necessarily adhering to the traditional theatrical requirements like box office potential or number of screens.
Alien: It was originally planned for Romulus to debut on streaming platforms, but the plan shifted just prior to filming. Can you tell us why this adjustment occurred?
Initially, due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and whether our strategy would lean towards theatrical or streaming releases, we began this project as a streaming movie. At that time, we had separate budget categories for streamed films, preferring to keep costs minimal. We were uncertain about their potential success based on past metrics. In truth, we hoped that theatrical releases would eventually return to some level of normality. However, just like our theatrically released movies, this film and every other streaming production were created with equal care and attention to detail.
What’s the next step for Alien?
Currently, we’re brainstorming a concept for a follow-up. Although the agreement with Fede [Alvarez] isn’t finalized yet, it will be soon, and he has a proposal that we are developing. The characters Rain and Andy, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, were standout performances in the original film. I often find myself pondering, “Where would fans like to see these characters journey next?” We’re certain there will be aliens and terrifying horror sequences. However, I grew fond of both characters and I’m eager to uncover their story.
Did the passing of Jon Landau, the producer of the Avatar films, during the summer have any impact on the daily operations of Avatar 3?
I’m finding it tough due to personal reasons, as Jon was someone I interacted with daily, serving as both a mentor and dear friend. His influence on everyone was extraordinary. Losing him is a massive blow. He was an exceptional individual, not just for me but also as a collaborator in Jim’s [Cameron] projects. We deeply miss him every day. However, this hasn’t altered the project’s release date or Jim’s schedule. We were already following a trajectory with its own benchmarks and checkpoints.
Lightning round on 20th Century titles! Free Guy 2?
Not yet. [Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds] have to come up with an idea. And they’re just busy.
Kingsman sequels or prequels.
There’s no plans on doing them anytime soon.
More Agatha Christie mystery movies.
Not only do we possess the classics such as “And Then There Were None” and “Witness for the Prosecution,” but we’re also developing “Miss Marple.” Furthermore, our partnership with the estate allows us to work on numerous other Agatha Christie titles as well!
A Master and Commander prequel?
I’ve been putting in a lot of effort. This is the first film I’ve worked on at Fox that was nearly two decades ago. The script is fantastic, it simply requires a suitable director.
Any Die Hard plans?
No, not yet.
Let me ask you this: Is it likely that the upcoming Predator film will be shown in cinemas? [Note: This discussion happened prior to Disney announcing Predator: Badlands for a 2025 theatrical release.]
Yes. And no.
You’re killing me here.
Absolutely! A new “Predator” movie will hit theaters. To put it simply, after “Prey” was a huge success, Dan [Trachtenberg] expressed his desire to move away from “Prey 2”. Instead, he proposed several intriguing ideas, two of which we’ve already produced. These projects are set for release next year. One I can’t discuss yet, but the other one is an action-packed “Predator” film featuring Elle Fanning, which was recently filmed in New Zealand. You can expect it to be released theatrically sometime next year.
You’re blowing my mind. Let’s tackle this one at time. One Predator movie is coming out theatrically?
The title is “Badlands,” and the concept is truly extraordinary, veering away from typical expectations of a sci-fi story. It’s mind-blowing, but in an amazing way. Trust me on this one, Dan delivers!
Now you said there’s a second Predator movie.
There’s a second Predator movie that we have different plans for. Dan has actually directed both.
So there’s a secret Predator movie—
There’s an upcoming “Predator” film that’s set for release prior to the theater version, but I’m bound by confidentiality and can’t reveal any details as of now.
Fine. Will we eventually see another Alien vs. Predator?
Probably.
Not sure how I feel about that.
Instead of what you might expect, this won’t be a simple rehash of the “Alien vs. Predator” series or the original films. If we proceed with this idea, the story will grow organically from both franchises, using beloved characters who have been developed over time. The possibility of them meeting or combining exists, but we haven’t reached that stage yet. And we won’t rush into it without careful planning.
During the 30th anniversary showing of the movie “Speed,” Sandra Bullock recently expressed her thoughts that the film industry might lack the courage to produce a “Speed 3.” What’s your take on this?
Hollywood is brave enough. We are brave enough. We are sitting by the phone. (Laughs)
This is one of the rare films yet to receive a remake. To attract audiences and truly make it worth returning, the concept needs to be exceptional and captivating for both Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. It should be something they’re excited about, as that would entice viewers. This title is significant for us, but we wouldn’t treat it casually or forcefully involve them without their active participation in shaping the idea. Instead, they’d play a crucial role in developing this concept.
Back in October, I came across an intriguing tale that initially graced the pages of The Hollywood Reporter’s magazine. If you’d like to stay updated with such captivating stories, consider subscribing to their magazine right here!
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2024-10-24 21:25