Johnny Depp's Infamous Sci-Fi Disaster Sends Shockwaves
Johnny Depp's performance in the sci-fi film Transcendence was highly anticipated but ultimately disappointing The film was criticized for its anti-science fiction approach and lack of engaging plot, leading to its flop at the box office
Science fiction often portrays a cynical view of the future, with many authors seeing science as part of the problem. Unfortunately, anti-science sentiments are all too common in this genre. Transcendence, a notable flop in Johnny Depp's career, takes this concept to the big screen with a level of understanding akin to "kids these days need to get off of their phones." However, movie stars experience ebbs and flows in their careers, as seen in the public's changing perception of Tom Cruise over the past fifteen years.
What is Transcendence About?
Transcendence depicts the story of Will and Evelyn Caster, a married couple of scientists who are devoted to the study of sentient AI. They work alongside a group of intellectuals to bring about a technological singularity, but their efforts are disrupted by a terrorist group known as R.I.F.T. Will is shot with a radioactive bullet and his life is in danger. Evelyn, unwilling to let her husband go, sets out to upload his consciousness into their quantum computer. Despite scientific objections from Will's best friend, Max, the procedure is carried out successfully. Will gains immense technological power and begins to change the world. However, R.I.F.T. continues to resist his influence, causing even Evelyn and Max to question the purity of Will's intentions.
Will's quest for a technocratic utopia begins with the creation of a perfect oasis in the remote desert town of Brightwood through his digital form. For over two years, he works in solitude, making groundbreaking strides in various fields. Will develops a revolutionary nanotechnology that enables him to interface with any device, but it comes with a dangerous side effect - he can control the mind of anyone exposed to it. He also creates a code that gives him the power to influence every connected device in the world. However, his newfound power attracts the attention of R.I.F.T. and the FBI, who join forces to create a virus that can destroy him. To shut him down, Evelyn is assigned the task of infecting herself with the virus and uploading her consciousness to the machine. As Will is connected to every network, shutting him down will result in the end of all technology.
Evelyn heads towards the research center to upload the virus, accompanied by Will who has created a new organic body for himself. Though he is already aware of her plan, he appears to be relatively accepting of it. However, their mission is disrupted by the sudden attack of R.I.F.T. and the FBI, which proves to be fatal for Evelyn. In order to save Max's life, Will has no choice but to allow himself and his wife to die. He explains that his actions were aimed at protecting the environment and reversing the damage that humans have inflicted upon nature. In their final moments, Will talks to Evelyn about her garden before they both succumb to the virus. The virus causes a global blackout and marks the end of all technology. Three years later, Max finds out that Will had constructed a Faraday Cage around their old home and discovered that Will's sentient nanoparticles were still thriving in the garden.
Transcendence, starring Johnny Depp, was a box office disappointment, earning $103 million on a budget between $100 and $150 million. Experts estimate that the film's financial losses ranged between $35 million and $100 million, with marketing costs being a significant factor. Unfortunately, the film's opening weekend was lackluster, debuting at #4 behind other popular movies. Critics also gave the film negative reviews, and Depp's star power had diminished due to previous film flops. Despite the film's potential, it failed to capture audiences and suffered a significant loss.
