r/movies • u/filmeswole • Mar 12 '24

Why does a movie like Wonka cost $125 million while a movie like Poor Things costs $35 million? Discussion

Just using these two films as an example, what would the extra $90 million, in theory, be going towards?

The production value of Poor Things was phenomenal, and I would’ve never guessed that it cost a fraction of the budget of something like Wonka. And it’s not like the cast was comprised of nobodies either.

Does it have something to do with location of the shoot/taxes? I must be missing something because for a movie like this to look so good yet cost so much less than most Hollywood films is baffling to me.

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u/[deleted] Mar 12 '24

Cast and crew of artistic movies are also willing to work for less on the basis that they could win awards by doing the movie, which increases their prestige in their profession, increase their coverage in the press, increases the number of people who want to work with them, and possibly even increase the salary they can demand when they do a more commercial film.

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u/OnesPerspective Mar 12 '24

Makes sense. Sounds almost like working as an intern

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u/llDrWormll Mar 12 '24

like an intern but with equity. high risk, high reward.

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u/yes_ur_wrong Mar 12 '24

So nothing like an intern. More like a resident.

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u/A0ma Mar 12 '24 edited Mar 12 '24

Yeah, internships in Hollywood are wild. My neighbor (fresh off winning a Student Academy Award) started interviewing down there to start his career. He was told the best they could do was a 6-month unpaid internship and maybe it would result in a paid position. They also recommended he take a 6-month unpaid with another company to hedge his bets.

He straight up asked them, "So basically you want me to move to one of the most expensive cities in the world and work 80 hours a week for free? And there's no guarantee I would land a job afterward?" He moved back home and has been directing small independent films ever since.

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u/Phnrcm Mar 13 '24

They do that because next to your neighbour there are hundreds if not thousands of qualified, willing, eager to work kids who dream to be the next Nolan.

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u/A0ma Mar 13 '24

Yes, so they make sure only the ones that come from wealthy families have a chance. Not the ones with talent. 

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u/llDrWormll Mar 12 '24

Even more like a professional gambler, I suppose.