David Gordon Green Gives Advice to New ‘Exorcist’ Filmmakers

David Gordon Green Gives Advice to New 'Exorcist' Filmmakers

As a cinephile with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I can confidently say that David Gordon Green is a true maestro of modern cinema. From his early indie masterpieces like “George Washington” to his more recent genre forays such as the “Halloween” trilogy and “The Exorcist: Believer”, he’s proven his versatility time and again.


David Gordon Green, a seasoned director, is accustomed to tackling prominent film series, from his latest Halloween trilogy to The Exorcist: Believer, and even delving into the horror genre. However, this shift is somewhat novel for this accomplished filmmaker, who has been creating movies for 25 years now, starting with the critically acclaimed George Washington. This was followed by other notable indie dramas such as Snow Angels, All the Real Girls, and Undertow. After five years of horror productions, he’s returned to his roots, debuting the holiday comedy Nutcrackers with Ben Stiller this week on Hulu. In an interview with MovieWeb about the film, Green reflected on his years working on horror franchises and offered guidance for those handling significant intellectual properties, with horror maestro Mike Flanagan set to direct the next Exorcist installment.

I certainly want to encourage people to do it, but it’s challenging because you want the filmmaker to invest all of themselves in that project.

Green doesn’t back down from obstacles, but realizes that this often brings a significant burden of accountability towards fans and their individual viewpoints regarding the content.

Discussing established franchises with devoted fan bases is a complex task because different viewers may react differently. For instance, someone might enjoy watching Joker 2 while appreciating it as an innovative and artistically crafted film. On the other hand, another fan could perceive changes in the franchise as undermining it, whereas I didn’t detect any such issues. Instead, all I noticed was a unique, distinctive interpretation of the character by talented creators, for which I have immense respect.

Frequently, a fan base may show intolerance towards risks when it comes to a particular franchise. Numerous filmmakers, production studios, and intellectual properties have faced difficulties due to venturing beyond the comfort zones that most fans have established for their cherished characters and worlds. Yet, it’s precisely the right kind of risk or innovation that gives the familiar an invigorating boost, captivating old and new fans alike.

David Gordon Green Takes His Own Big Swings

David Gordon Green navigates the challenging landscape of working within established intellectual properties (IPs), but he has his own distinct methodology that enables him to take risks, maintain engagement, and produce work he can be satisfied with. In other words, he approaches IP projects in a way that’s uniquely his own, allowing for creative chances while keeping the audience invested and ensuring the final product is something he can be proud of.

I usually ask for the funds needed for my interpretation of a project, as I’m mindful of budget constraints. However, it’s possible to take risks, to swing for the fences, and create a project that is deeply personal, even if it involves exploring an existing intellectual property.

In a surprising twist, the movie titled “Nutcrackers” isn’t so dissimilar for him. It represents a distinct form of risk, based on the notion that viewers yearn for the style of holiday comedies from bygone eras – ones that were both mischievous and heartwarming at the same time. The film “Nutcrackers” invites audiences to momentarily set aside their skepticism, appreciating its humor while also experiencing emotions akin to traditional holiday films, something not commonly found in recent major releases.

For Green, jumping from genre to genre is exciting and keeps him on his game. So don’t rule out a return to horror for him, or to something else we don’t see coming. Nutcrackers is available on Hulu and Disney+ on November 29th. Watch it through the link below:

Watch Nutcrackers

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2024-11-26 18:31