WHAT WENT WRONG
Listen Now: The Sam Sanders Show
May 16, 2025
Lizzie Bassett and Chris Winterbauer, co-hosts of a film podcast, dive into the chaotic world of notorious movie flops. They share wild behind-the-scenes stories from films like 'Cats' and 'The Flash', revealing how Hollywood's arrogance and misjudgments lead to box office disasters. The conversation touches on the absurdities of flop films, explores the impact of franchise fatigue, and critiques controversial creative choices. Ultimately, they celebrate the joy found in cinematic mishaps while questioning if Hollywood is really learning from its mistakes.
50:10
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Quick takeaways
- The chaotic production of 'Cats' demonstrates how rushed timelines and poor visual choices can transform high expectations into a cultural meme.
- The failure of 'Joker: Folie à Deux' showcases that relying on a successful predecessor does not guarantee narrative coherence or audience engagement.
Deep dives
The Cultural Impact of 'Cats'
'Cats' serves as a prime example of how high expectations can lead to massive disappointment in cinema. The movie adaptation of the iconic Broadway musical, featuring an ensemble cast that included James Corden, Judi Dench, and Taylor Swift, aimed for Oscar glory but fell short due to its rushed production and bizarre visual effects. The decision to overhaul its visuals while still in theaters underscored its chaotic creation process, creating memorable yet laughable moments that became memes. Ultimately, 'Cats' illustrates that even a reputed source material can struggle to translate into film without a coherent story or a clear vision.
