John Landis, who is best known for his pioneering comedy works of the 1980s such as The Blues Brothers, Trading Places and Coming to America, admits that the current filmmaking climate is in a desperate state thanks to the pandemic and the rise of the streamers.
Reflecting on his career at Deadline’s Taormina Studio, the American filmmaker said, “The sentiment really is the sorrow for the pathetic state the business is in. You know, between streaming and the pandemic, it was like a stake through the heart. It really hurts the business and continues to do so. And there’s the strike now. The streamers really are the bad guys.”
Landis was at the Taormina Film Festival this week for a retrospective program and a masterclass devoted to the director, where projects screened included 1978’s Animal House, 1986’s Three Amigos and 1981’s An American Werewolf in London.
“Do you know it’s the first time in Hollywood history that the Directors Guild, The Writers Guild and the IA are all united?,” Landis said before adding, “The film industry is in chaos and I hope the audience comes back to the theatres.”
“Motion pictures are meant to be seen in a large house, cinema, a big theatre, on a big screen, with good sound and as many people as possible because it’s a communal experience.”
Landis also teased that he was currently working on a Broadway show but “that will take a long time but that’s kind of exciting” as well as “two features and a television series.”
While he wouldn’t disclose any more information on the projects, admitting the current WGA strikes mean “everything is in sort of limbo” he did say that he was “desperate to work.”
“I love making movies. It’s a great joy for me. I love everything about it.”
Check out the video above.
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