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The Business

Disney’s messy succession story; Overcoming the production challenges of ‘Strange Darling’

Sep 20, 2024
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.
30:02

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Quick takeaways

  • 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.

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