Disney’s messy succession story; Overcoming the production challenges of ‘Strange Darling’
Sep 20, 2024
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J.T. Mollner, a writer-director celebrated for his film 'Strange Darling', teams up with producer Roy Lee to discuss their gripping cat-and-mouse thriller. They reveal the tumultuous production journey, including a shutdown just two days in and fierce pushback from Miramax executives. Mollner's fight for creative control led to him receiving final cut, culminating in a film that earned rave reviews, with Stephen King dubbing it a 'clever masterpiece'. They also touch on the chaotic Disney leadership dynamics during this time.
Disney's chaotic succession challenges reflect the complexities of corporate leadership amidst changing industry dynamics and audience expectations.
The production hurdles faced by 'Strange Darling' illustrate the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and audience feedback in achieving creative success.
Deep dives
The Challenges of Directing Strange Darling
The production of Strange Darling was fraught with challenges, beginning with a sudden shutdown from Miramax just two days into filming. Writer-director J.T. Molnar faced immense pressure and uncertainty, fearing he might never get another chance to direct a film. Fortunately, producer Roy Lee stepped in quickly to revive the project, showcasing industry collaboration in difficult times. This experience underscored the necessity for perseverance and adaptability in the filmmaking process.
The Influence of Test Screenings
A pivotal moment for Strange Darling occurred during its test screening, which demonstrated the film's potential despite earlier critiques from executives. After hearing mixed opinions about the film, J.T. obtained permission to conduct a test screening, which became a game changer; audience reactions were overwhelmingly positive. The success of this screening led Miramax's executives to reconsider their initial stance, granting J.T. final cut. This highlights the importance of audience feedback in the filmmaking process.
Unexpected Allies in the Industry
Comedian Tiffany Haddish became an unexpected ally for Molnar during the film’s tumultuous production. After learning of the difficulties the project faced, she reached out and offered her support by watching the film and advocating for its original cut. Her genuine reaction and endorsement of the project provided a significant morale boost and helped sway executive opinion at Miramax. This exemplifies how connections in the industry can play a critical role in championing creative vision.
In the wake of Disney’s big night at the Emmys, Kim Masters and Matt Belloni take a look at the New York Times article chronicling the chaotic succession endeavors at Disney.
Plus, Masters speaks with writer-director J.T. Mollner and producer Roy Lee about their cat-and-mouse thriller Strange Darling. The film currently sits at 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and was called a “clever masterpiece” by Stephen King. But the road to such acclaim was not an easy one for the filmmakers. Mollner and his producers faced constant pushback from studio executives at Miramax, including having production shut down two days into shooting. Plus, the pair tells us about editorial clashes in post-production that would ultimately result in Mollner being given final cut.
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