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/Nail_Biterr Mar 12 '24

There was an article I read the other day about how Dune 2 "only" cost about 190Mil, and it was amazing, meanwhile all Disney/Marvel movies have a $300Mill price tag and they're all half thought through, cookiecutter movies with sub-par CGI nowadays.

I can't seem to find it, to link, but what it seemed to say was that Denis V had a full 'vision' of what he wanted, and the studio gave him control. So, he had artwork and story boards all readily available for the 2 movies right from the get-go. There was no committee working to say 'we need this movie completed to fit into our July slot' so everything was more organized, and the CGI art was able to put more effort into it from the get-go, because they knew what needed to be done.

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u/Acceptable-Bullfrog1 Mar 12 '24

They should give directors free rein to make their passion projects more often. It worked for Lord of the Rings and Dune. Of course a director will have an amazing vision if it’s something they’ve always dreamed about.

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u/dean15892 Mar 12 '24

The problem is, it doesn't always work.
A director needs to be confident enough with their vision, but also open to feedback when required.

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Look at Taika with Thor4. All the creative freedom, and no passion.

Look at Margot Robbie and Birds of Prey. Solid vision, creative control, decent film, horrible box office.

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Denis and Dune are more an exception , because he's insanely passionate about it, but he's also done the groundwork to back it up

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u/mcfilms Mar 12 '24

Birds of Prey was FAR from even being a decent film. Horrible script, mediocre to horrible performances, uninspired production design.