Is Fox Destroying our Favorite Movies?

From worstpreviewsIn just the last couple of days, I have heard numerous directors and lots of fans complain about 20th Century Fox and the way they deal with some of their upcoming movies.

First, there was "Watchmen." The studio announced that Warner Bros did not have the rights to make the movie and as a result they will do everything in their power to sue, win and then simply throw the movie away.

Then, there was "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." Director Gavin Hood had a big set built for a scene which he requested to look "dark, dinghy and somber." After being away from his newly designed set for a few days, he returns to find it completely repainted on orders from Fox co-chairman and CEO Tom Rothman. The now different set became brighter and less depressing. The source says that he was utterly surprised to see what has happened. But it is nothing new from Rothman.

Then there was "Babylon AD." Director Mathieu Kassovits revealed that 20th Century Fox kept sending their lawyers who made everything difficult. "I never had a chance to do one scene the way it was written or the way I wanted it to be. The script wasn't respected. Bad producers, bad partners, it was a terrible experience."

In the end, "Babylon AD," which is based on a French novel "Babylon Babies" by Maurice Georges Dantec, fails to deliver the book's messages. "It's pure violence and stupidity," he admits. "The movie is supposed to teach us that the education of our children will mean the future of our planet. All the action scenes had a goal, instead parts of the movie are like a bad episode of 24. I should have chosen a studio that has guts. I'm ready to go to war against them, but I can't because they don't give a sh*t."

And now, there is "The Silver Surfer." It was previously rumored that director Alex Proyas (I, Robot) would go on to helm a "Silver Surfer" spin-off. Proyas recently revealed that he would never consider making that film. But why? "Because it's a Fox picture," he said. "And I'm determined never to work with them ever again because of my experience on 'I,Robot.'"

What can be done about a studio like this that's holding rights to some potentially great movies? I don't know for sure, but I can tell you that they got very worried when fans began spreading the message to avoid seeing "Australia," "Wolverine" and other large Fox movies. To appease the fans, Fox has considered letting "Watchmen" go on as planned.