In the wake of ‘Babylon’s performance at the box office and Damien Chazelle’s concerns about his upcoming movie, fans rallied behind the director, arguing that the film’s financial outcome doesn’t reflect its artistic merit.
Known for films such as ‘La La Land,’ ‘First Man,’ and ‘Whiplash,’ Chazelle made ‘Babylon’ with high ambitions and a generous budget from Paramount. The film, featuring stars like Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, faced competition at the box office, including other releases like ‘Avatar 2’ and ‘Puss in Boots 2.’
This competition resulted in a financial setback for ‘Babylon,’ with a gross of just $15 million against an $80 million budget. However, supporters insist the film is far from a failure. As seen in their tweets, fans are supporting the director, saying they have their trust in his works. For instance, one of them wrote:
“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.”
Another tweeted:
“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.”
Check out the tweets below.
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
What Did Chazelle Say About ‘Babylon’?
Chazelle himself expressed mixed feelings about the film’s financial performance. During TCM’s ‘Talking Pictures’ podcast, he talked about his concerns regarding the funding and support for his next film. He admitted to being in a ‘trepidatious state of mind,’ saying:
“In financial terms, ‘Babylon’ didn’t work at all. 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.”
Critically, ‘Babylon’ received a mixed reception, with some praising its audacity and scope, while others were less favorable. The film was also absent from major awards circuits. Still, supporters of Chazelle and ‘Babylon’ argue that the film’s value cannot be measured solely by its box office performance or immediate critical reception.
