Acclaimed Filmmaker Fears Impact of $63M Box Office Disappointment on Future Projects:

Award-winning director Damien Chazelle is concerned that the box office failure of Babylon may impact his next movie. Babylon, released in 2022, is an epic historical comedy-drama set during the Hollywood boom, showcasing the luxurious lifestyles and decadence of characters transitioning from silent films to talkies. Despite a stellar cast and a production budget of $78-80 million, Babylon failed to attract audiences and performed poorly at the box office.

During an interview on TCM's Talking Pictures podcast**** (via IndieWire), Chazelle, known for his work on La La Land and Whiplash, acknowledges that Babylon's financial outcome was disappointing. He expresses worry that the film's lackluster box office performance could hinder his future projects and admits to feeling anxious about his next steps in filmmaking. Check out his full remarks below:

Financially, 'Babylon' was not successful. This can impact creativity, but maybe that's okay. I have mixed feelings about it. I am unsure if I will be able to get this project made. Only time will tell.

I have been focused on writing and have not been paying attention to the changes since 'Babylon.' Once I finish this script and try to get it made, I will see how things have evolved. I am feeling a bit anxious, but I am realistic. I will not have a budget as big as 'Babylon' for my next project.

Why Did Babylon Flop At The Box Office?

There Were A Couple Of Factors

Margot Robbie in Babylon - There Were A Couple Of Factors - Why Did Babylon Flop At The Box Office?

Many film enthusiasts doubted whether Babylon would be able to break even prior to its release. Despite the success of Chazelle's previous films, such as the Oscar-winning La La Land, the film's high production budget of around $80 million posed a significant risk for its success at the box office.

After hitting theaters, Babylon was expected to earn between $12-15 million in its opening weekend. However, the movie fell short of expectations, only bringing in a disappointing $3.5 million. Following its release, reports indicated that the historical drama would need to make a staggering $250 million in order to cover its production costs.

By the end of its run, Babylon only made $63.5 million worldwide.

Aside from the expensive production budget, Babylon's long runtime of 189 minutes also worked against it. The movie is not part of a popular franchise with a large fan base, so it was unlikely that audiences would spend three hours in the theater for an original film, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is not much information available about Chazelle's next film, it will be interesting to see how Babylon's lack of success will impact it.

Source: Talking Pictures (via IndieWire)

Editor's P/S:

Damien Chazelle's concern over the box office failure of "Babylon" is understandable. The film's lackluster performance has cast a shadow over his future projects, leaving him anxious about securing funding. This situation highlights the precarious nature of filmmaking, where even an award-winning director can face financial setbacks.

While it's disappointing that "Babylon" underperformed, it's important to acknowledge the factors that may have contributed to its failure. The film's high production budget and long runtime presented challenges in attracting audiences, especially during the pandemic. Chazelle's next project will likely have a smaller budget and a more manageable runtime, which may increase its chances of success. Nonetheless, the "Babylon" experience serves as a reminder that even the most talented filmmakers can face obstacles in the unpredictable realm of box office revenue.