Having delivered acclaimed gems including La La Land, First Man, and Whiplash, Damien Chazelle was given a huge budget and full creative control for Babylon. While the director didn’t compromise his vision for the film and delivered what he set out to make, the underwhelming returns at the box office have now created concerns for his next feature.
Opposed to its budget of $80 million, Babylon only managed to rack in $15 million domestically, becoming a major flop for Paramount. The acclaimed director is now unsure whether his next project will see the end of the tunnel or not, as fans come forward to express their love for Babylon.
Damien Chazelle Is Unsure if His Next Film Will Get Made
While box-office figures don’t dictate the quality of a film, they certainly play a major role in getting certain passion projects of filmmakers greenlit. And with Babylon being a financial flop, following its competition against Avatar 2 and Puss and Boots 2 at the box office, Damien Chazelle isn’t sure what the future holds for his next project. While the director confirmed he is currently busy writing his next film, he is unsure if studios will be on board to back this one following the Margot Robbie-led film’s underwhelming reception.
Speaking on TCM’s Talking Pictures podcast, Chazelle expressed he is certain of the fact that he won’t be receiving a budget on the scale of Babylon anytime soon.
“In financial terms, ‘Babylon’ didn’t work at all,” Chazelle said. “You try to not have that effect what you’re doing creatively, but, at some level, it can’t help but affect it. But maybe that’s OK? I have a very mixed mind about it. Who knows. Maybe I won’t be able to get this one made. I have no idea. We’ll have to wait and see. I’ve been head in the sand… I’ve been sort of busy writing… I’m in a sort of trepidatious state of mind, but I have no illusions. I won’t get a budget of ‘Babylon’ size any time soon, or at least not on this next one.”
But fans have come forward to express their love for Babylon, as they commended Damien Chazelle for not comprising his vision to appeal to a wider audience with the drama.
Babylon Deserves More Love Stressed Fans
It’s not uncommon for films with a low box-office reception to become a classic in the later years, major examples being Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull and The King of Comedy. And fans are assured similar will be the case for Babylon, as they were left in awe by the chaotic energy and the scale of the 3-hour drama.
When a filmmaker gets that blank check I will always prefer them making something like BABYLON as opposed to whatever milquetoast idea they think will help them continue getting that check. https://t.co/x0xWgWnhqV
— Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews) March 1, 2024
I loved Babylon. It was Chazelle's most ambitious go for broke film took big balls to make. Told with ferocious conviction, Chazelle doesn't have to apologize to anyone. He's a gifted filmmaker that hopefully keeps swinging for the fences.
— Tentacle 8 (@Tentacle8) March 1, 2024
BABYLON is a goddamn masterpiece and that’s just my opinion.
— camille preakers bottles of water (@jonathanpmoran) March 1, 2024
we let Chazelle down hard twice in a row. First Man and Babylon each deserved so many more eyes.
— Mike, Mike, and Oscar (@MMandOscar) March 2, 2024
Babylon Hive is still here! We are alive and well.
— josh (@joshua_the_hutt) March 1, 2024
Like WB’s backing for Denis Villeneuve paid off with Dune after Blade Runner 2049 became a box-office disappointment, fans will hope Chazelle’s next film also receives a similar treatment.
Babylon is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
