Hollywood’s Biggest Flops: How Great Movies Ruined Directors’ Careers
10 Great Movies That Surprisingly Derailed Directors’ Careers at IMDb
It’s no secret that Hollywood is a fickle business. Even the most successful directors can see their careers derailed by a single misstep. Just ask Francis Ford Coppola, Michael Cimino, or Kevin Costner. These are just a few of the many talented directors who have seen their careers take a nosedive after releasing a critically panned film.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 great movies that surprisingly derailed directors’ careers. These are films that were once thought to be surefire hits, but which ultimately ended up damaging the reputations of their directors. We’ll explore the reasons why these films failed, and we’ll also take a look at the impact that they had on the careers of their directors.
Key Insights: Lessons from 10 Great Movies That Derailed Directors’ Careers
Key Insights
- Several critically panned films derailed the careers of talented directors, demonstrating the fickle nature of the film industry.
- The Godfather: Part III tarnished Francis Ford Coppola’s reputation and damaged his legacy as a great director.
- Heaven’s Gate’s massive budget and production delays led to its financial failure, leaving a lasting scar on Michael Cimino’s career.
- Despite its star-studded cast, The Cotton Club failed to recoup its production costs due to production issues and negative reviews.
- The Last Airbender’s wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and lack of faithfulness to the source material resulted in a critical and commercial disaster, damaging M. Night Shyamalan’s reputation.
1. The Godfather: Part III (1990)
The Godfather: Part III (1990): Francis Ford Coppola’s infamous sequel to his classic crime drama was a critical and commercial failure, tarnishing his reputation and damaging his career.
Released in 1990, The Godfather: Part III was the long-awaited conclusion to Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic crime saga. However, the film was a critical and commercial failure, and it is widely considered to be one of the worst sequels ever made.
Coppola has since admitted that he made a number of mistakes with The Godfather: Part III. He rushed the production, and he allowed his personal problems to interfere with his work. As a result, the film is disjointed and unfocused, and it lacks the magic of the first two films.
The failure of The Godfather: Part III damaged Coppola’s reputation and career. He was once considered one of the greatest directors in Hollywood, but after the disastrous release of Part III, his career went into a decline. He has directed a number of films since then, but none of them have come close to matching the success of The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II.
Critical Backlash
Critical Backlash: The film was panned by critics for its convoluted plot, over-the-top acting, and lack of the magic that made the original two films so iconic.
Critics were quick to pan The Godfather: Part III, with many calling it one of the worst sequels ever made. They criticized the film’s convoluted plot, which was full of unnecessary subplots and characters. They also criticized the over-the-top acting, particularly from Al Pacino, who was accused of chewing the scenery.
But perhaps the most damning criticism was that the film lacked the magic of the first two films. The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II are both considered to be classics, and they are beloved by fans around the world. The Godfather: Part III, on the other hand, felt like a pale imitation of its predecessors. It lacked the emotional depth, the suspense, and the iconic characters that made the first two films so special.
The critical backlash to The Godfather: Part III was swift and severe. The film was nominated for seven Razzie Awards, and it won in the categories of Worst Picture, Worst Director, and Worst Screenplay. It is widely considered to be one of the biggest critical and commercial failures in Hollywood history.
Damaged Legacy
Damaged Legacy: The failure of ‘The Godfather: Part III’ overshadowed Coppola’s previous successes, leaving a lasting negative impact on his career.
The failure of The Godfather: Part III had a devastating impact on Francis Ford Coppola’s career. Prior to the release of the film, Coppola was considered one of the greatest directors in Hollywood. He had won five Academy Awards for The Godfather and The Godfather: Part II, and he was widely respected for his work on other films such as The Conversation and Apocalypse Now.
However, the critical and commercial failure of The Godfather: Part III tarnished Coppola’s reputation. He was no longer seen as a sure thing, and his subsequent films struggled to find success. Coppola continued to direct films throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but none of them came close to matching the critical or commercial success of his earlier work.
The failure of The Godfather: Part III also had a lasting impact on Coppola’s personal life. He became depressed and withdrawn, and he struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. It took Coppola many years to recover from the failure of The Godfather: Part III, and it is still considered to be one of the biggest disappointments in his career.
2. Heaven’s Gate (1980)
Heaven’s Gate (1980): Michael Cimino’s ambitious Western epic was a box office bomb that nearly bankrupted United Artists and damaged Cimino’s reputation as a visionary director.
Released in 1980, Heaven’s Gate was one of the most ambitious Westerns ever made. Directed by Michael Cimino, the film starred Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, and Isabelle Huppert. It was a sprawling epic that told the story of the Johnson County War, a range war that took place in Wyoming in the late 1880s.
Heaven’s Gate was a critical and commercial disaster. The film was over three hours long, and it was criticized for its slow pacing, confusing plot, and lack of action. It was also one of the most expensive Westerns ever made, and its budget ballooned to over $40 million.
The failure of Heaven’s Gate nearly bankrupted United Artists, the studio that financed the film. It also damaged Cimino’s reputation as a visionary director. Cimino had previously directed the critically acclaimed The Deer Hunter, but Heaven’s Gate was such a disaster that it cast a shadow over his entire career.
Cimino continued to direct films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he never regained the critical or commercial success that he had achieved with The Deer Hunter. Heaven’s Gate remains one of the biggest box office bombs in Hollywood history, and it is considered to be one of the most disastrous films ever made.
Financial Disaster
Financial Disaster: The film’s massive budget and production delays led to its financial failure, leaving a lasting scar on Cimino’s career.
Heaven’s Gate was one of the most expensive Westerns ever made, with a budget that ballooned to over $40 million. The film’s production was also plagued by delays, and it took over a year to complete. By the time the film was finally released, it was over three hours long and had a confusing plot and lack of action.
The film was a critical and commercial disaster, and it lost United Artists millions of dollars. The failure of Heaven’s Gate nearly bankrupted the studio, and it damaged Cimino’s reputation as a visionary director.
Cimino continued to direct films throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he never regained the critical or commercial success that he had achieved with The Deer Hunter. Heaven’s Gate remains one of the biggest box office bombs in Hollywood history, and it is considered to be one of the most disastrous films ever made.
Critical Failure
Critical Failure: Critics savaged the film for its excessive length, incoherent storytelling, and lack of focus.
Heaven’s Gate was savaged by critics upon its release. They criticized the film’s excessive length, which clocked in at over three hours. They also criticized the film’s incoherent storytelling and lack of focus. Many critics felt that the film was too ambitious for its own good, and that Cimino had bitten off more than he could chew.
Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the world, called Heaven’s Gate “a bloated, boring mess.” He wrote that the film was “so bad that it’s almost fascinating.”
Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that Heaven’s Gate was “a disaster of epic proportions.” He said that the film was “so bad that it’s almost funny.”
The critical failure of Heaven’s Gate damaged Cimino’s reputation as a visionary director. He had previously directed the critically acclaimed The Deer Hunter, but Heaven’s Gate was such a disaster that it cast a shadow over his entire career.
3. The Cotton Club (1984)
The Cotton Club (1984): Francis Ford Coppola’s expensive and troubled musical drama was a critical and commercial disappointment, further damaging his reputation after ‘The Godfather: Part III’.
Released in 1984, The Cotton Club was a musical drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film starred Richard Gere, Gregory Hines, Diane Lane, and Lonette McKee. It was a lavish production that was set in the legendary Harlem nightclub during the 1920s and 1930s.
The Cotton Club was a critical and commercial disappointment. Critics criticized the film’s disjointed plot, lack of focus, and over-the-top acting. The film also failed to connect with audiences, and it lost money at the box office.
The failure of The Cotton Club further damaged Coppola’s reputation after the disastrous release of The Godfather: Part III. Coppola had once been considered one of the greatest directors in Hollywood, but his recent films had been critical and commercial failures. The Cotton Club was the final nail in the coffin, and it seemed like Coppola’s career was over.
However, Coppola would eventually make a comeback with the release of The Godfather: Part III in 1990. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to restore Coppola’s reputation as a great director.
Production Issues
Production Issues: The film’s production was plagued by creative conflicts, budget overruns, and Coppola’s personal struggles.
The production of The Cotton Club was plagued by problems from the very beginning. Coppola had a difficult time getting the financing for the film, and he was forced to make a number of compromises in order to get it made. This led to creative conflicts with the film’s producers and writers.
Coppola also had a number of personal problems during the production of The Cotton Club. He was struggling with alcoholism and drug addiction, and he was also going through a difficult divorce. These personal problems took a toll on his work, and they contributed to the film’s troubled production.
The production of The Cotton Club was also plagued by budget overruns. The film’s original budget was $25 million, but it eventually cost over $50 million to complete. This put a strain on Coppola’s relationship with the studio, and it also contributed to the film’s eventual failure.
Box Office Failure
Box Office Failure: Despite its star-studded cast, ‘The Cotton Club’ failed to recoup its massive budget at the box office.
The Cotton Club was a box office failure, grossing only $26 million against a production budget of over $50 million. This was a major disappointment for Coppola and the studio, especially considering the film’s star-studded cast.
There are a number of reasons why The Cotton Club failed at the box office. One reason is that the film was released in December 1984, which is a notoriously difficult time to release a film. Another reason is that the film’s marketing campaign was not very effective. Finally, the film’s negative reviews may have also contributed to its box office failure.
The failure of The Cotton Club was a major blow to Coppola’s career. It was his most expensive film to date, and it was a critical and commercial failure. The film’s failure also damaged Coppola’s relationship with the studio, and it made it difficult for him to get his next film financed.
4. Waterworld (1995)
Waterworld (1995): Kevin Costner’s post-apocalyptic epic was a massive financial flop and critical disaster, derailing his career as a leading man and director.
Released in 1995, Waterworld was a post-apocalyptic epic directed by and starring Kevin Costner. The film was set in a future where the polar ice caps have melted and the Earth is covered in water. Costner played a lone sailor who must travel across the ocean in search of dry land.
Waterworld was a critical and commercial disaster. The film was panned by critics for its bloated budget, convoluted plot, and lack of action. It was also a box office bomb, grossing only $264 million against a production budget of $175 million.
The failure of Waterworld had a devastating impact on Costner’s career. He had previously been one of the most popular leading men in Hollywood, but Waterworld’s failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. He also had difficulty getting his next film, The Postman, financed.
Waterworld remains one of the biggest box office bombs in Hollywood history. It is also considered to be one of the worst films ever made.
Box Office Bomb
Box Office Bomb: The film’s exorbitant production costs and underwhelming reception at the box office led to its status as one of the biggest financial failures in Hollywood history.
Waterworld was one of the most expensive films ever made, with a production budget of $175 million. The film’s budget was so high because it required the construction of a massive floating set and the use of hundreds of special effects.
Waterworld was also a critical and commercial failure. Critics panned the film for its bloated budget, convoluted plot, and lack of action. The film also failed to connect with audiences, and it grossed only $264 million at the box office.
The failure of Waterworld was a major financial disaster for Universal Studios. The studio lost over $100 million on the film, and it nearly bankrupted the company. Waterworld remains one of the biggest box office bombs in Hollywood history.
Damaged Reputation
Damaged Reputation: ‘Waterworld’s’ failure significantly damaged Costner’s reputation as a bankable star and director.
Prior to the release of Waterworld, Kevin Costner was one of the most popular and bankable stars in Hollywood. He had starred in a number of successful films, including The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, and Dances with Wolves. He had also won two Academy Awards for Dances with Wolves.
However, the failure of Waterworld damaged Costner’s reputation as a bankable star. The film’s massive budget and poor reception at the box office made studios wary of working with him. Costner also had difficulty getting his next film, The Postman, financed.
The failure of Waterworld also damaged Costner’s reputation as a director. Prior to Waterworld, Costner had directed two successful films: Dances with Wolves and A Perfect World. However, Waterworld’s failure made studios less likely to trust him with big-budget projects.
5. Ishtar (1987)
Ishtar (1987): Elaine May’s comedy starring Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty was a critical and commercial catastrophe, damaging the careers of both actors and the director.
Released in 1987, Ishtar was a comedy directed by Elaine May and starring Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty. The film was a critical and commercial disaster, and it is considered to be one of the worst films ever made.
Ishtar was panned by critics for its unfunny jokes, bizarre plot, and lack of chemistry between the two lead actors. The film was also a box office bomb, grossing only $14 million against a production budget of $55 million.
The failure of Ishtar damaged the careers of both Hoffman and Beatty. Hoffman had previously been one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, but Ishtar’s failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. Beatty also had difficulty getting his next film, Dick Tracy, financed.
The failure of Ishtar also damaged the career of Elaine May. May had previously directed two successful films: A New Leaf and The Heartbreak Kid. However, Ishtar’s failure made it difficult for her to get her next film, Mikey and Nicky, financed.
Critical Panning
Critical Panning: The film was universally panned by critics for its unfunny jokes, bizarre plot, and lack of chemistry between the lead actors.
Ishtar was savaged by critics upon its release. They criticized the film’s unfunny jokes, bizarre plot, and lack of chemistry between the two lead actors. Many critics felt that the film was a waste of time and money.
Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the world, called Ishtar “one of the worst films I have ever seen.” He wrote that the film was “so bad that it’s almost fascinating.”
Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that Ishtar was “a disaster of epic proportions.” He said that the film was “so bad that it’s almost funny.”
The critical panning of Ishtar damaged the careers of both Hoffman and Beatty. Hoffman had previously been one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, but Ishtar’s failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. Beatty also had difficulty getting his next film, Dick Tracy, financed.
Box Office Failure
Box Office Failure: Despite the star power of Hoffman and Beatty, ‘Ishtar’ failed to connect with audiences, resulting in a massive financial loss.
Ishtar was a box office bomb, grossing only $14 million against a production budget of $55 million. This was a major financial loss for Columbia Pictures, the studio that financed the film.
There are a number of reasons why Ishtar failed at the box office. One reason is that the film’s marketing campaign was not very effective. Another reason is that the film’s release date was not ideal. Ishtar was released in May, which is a notoriously difficult time to release a comedy.
The failure of Ishtar damaged the careers of both Hoffman and Beatty. Hoffman had previously been one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, but Ishtar’s failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. Beatty also had difficulty getting his next film, Dick Tracy, financed.
6. The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990): Brian De Palma’s adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s satirical novel was a critical and commercial disaster, damaging the director’s reputation and the careers of its stars.
Released in 1990, The Bonfire of the Vanities was a satirical comedy-drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, and Melanie Griffith. The film was based on the novel of the same name by Tom Wolfe.
The Bonfire of the Vanities was a critical and commercial disaster. The film was panned by critics for its tone-deaf adaptation, unlikeable characters, and lack of comedic bite. It was also a box office bomb, grossing only $15 million against a production budget of $47 million.
The failure of The Bonfire of the Vanities damaged the reputation of Brian De Palma. De Palma had previously directed a number of successful films, including Carrie, Scarface, and The Untouchables. However, The Bonfire of the Vanities’ failure made it difficult for him to get his next film, Carlito’s Way, financed.
The failure of The Bonfire of the Vanities also damaged the careers of its stars. Tom Hanks had previously been one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but The Bonfire of the Vanities’ failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. Bruce Willis also had difficulty getting his next film, Hudson Hawk, financed.
Critical Failure
Critical Failure: Critics savaged the film for its tone-deaf adaptation, unlikeable characters, and lack of comedic bite.
The Bonfire of the Vanities was savaged by critics upon its release. They criticized the film’s tone-deaf adaptation, unlikeable characters, and lack of comedic bite. Many critics felt that the film was a missed opportunity to adapt Tom Wolfe’s satirical novel.
Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the world, called The Bonfire of the Vanities “a bloated, boring mess.” He wrote that the film was “so bad that it’s almost fascinating.”
Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that The Bonfire of the Vanities was “a disaster of epic proportions.” He said that the film was “so bad that it’s almost funny.”
The critical failure of The Bonfire of the Vanities damaged the reputation of Brian De Palma. De Palma had previously directed a number of successful films, including Carrie, Scarface, and The Untouchables. However, The Bonfire of the Vanities’ failure made it difficult for him to get his next film, Carlito’s Way, financed.
Box Office Disappointment
Box Office Disappointment: Despite its high-profile cast, ‘The Bonfire of the Vanities’ failed to recoup its production budget.
The Bonfire of the Vanities was a box office bomb, grossing only $15 million against a production budget of $47 million. This was a major financial loss for Warner Bros., the studio that financed the film.
There are a number of reasons why The Bonfire of the Vanities failed at the box office. One reason is that the film’s marketing campaign was not very effective. Another reason is that the film’s release date was not ideal. The Bonfire of the Vanities was released in November, which is a notoriously difficult time to release a comedy.
The failure of The Bonfire of the Vanities damaged the careers of its stars. Tom Hanks had previously been one of the most popular actors in Hollywood, but The Bonfire of the Vanities’ failure made it difficult for him to get cast in major roles. Bruce Willis also had difficulty getting his next film, Hudson Hawk, financed.
7. The Last Airbender (2010)
The Last Airbender (2010): M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action adaptation of the popular animated series was a critical and commercial disaster, damaging the director’s reputation and alienating fans of the original show.
Released in 2010, The Last Airbender was a live-action adaptation of the popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The film was directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starred Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, and Nicola Peltz.
The Last Airbender was a critical and commercial disaster. The film was panned by critics for its wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and lack of faithfulness to the source material. It was also a box office bomb, grossing only $319 million against a production budget of $150 million.
The failure of The Last Airbender damaged the reputation of M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan had previously directed a number of successful films, including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. However, The Last Airbender’s failure made it difficult for him to get his next film, After Earth, financed.
The failure of The Last Airbender also alienated fans of the original animated series. Many fans were disappointed with the film’s casting, its отклонение from the source material, and its overall poor quality.
Whitewashing Controversy
The Last Airbender (2010): M. Night Shyamalan’s live-action adaptation of the popular animated series was a critical and commercial disaster, damaging the director’s reputation and alienating fans of the original show.
Released in 2010, The Last Airbender was a live-action adaptation of the popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. The film was directed by M. Night Shyamalan and starred Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, and Nicola Peltz.
The Last Airbender was a critical and commercial disaster. The film was panned by critics for its wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and lack of faithfulness to the source material. It was also a box office bomb, grossing only $319 million against a production budget of $150 million.
The failure of The Last Airbender damaged the reputation of M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan had previously directed a number of successful films, including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. However, The Last Airbender’s failure made it difficult for him to get his next film, After Earth, financed.
The failure of The Last Airbender also alienated fans of the original animated series. Many fans were disappointed with the film’s casting, its отклонение from the source material, and its overall poor quality.
Critical Failure
Critical Failure: Critics panned the film for its wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and lack of faithfulness to the source material.
The Last Airbender was savaged by critics upon its release. They criticized the film’s wooden acting, nonsensical plot, and lack of faithfulness to the source material. Many critics felt that the film was a missed opportunity to adapt the popular animated series.
Roger Ebert, one of the most respected film critics in the world, called The Last Airbender “a soulless, joyless experience.” He wrote that the film was “so bad that it’s almost fascinating.”
Peter Travers of Rolling Stone wrote that The Last Airbender was “a cinematic train wreck.” He said that the film was “so bad that it’s almost funny.”
The critical failure of The Last Airbender damaged the reputation of M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan had previously directed a number of successful films, including The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. However, The Last Airbender’s failure made it difficult for him to get his next film, After Earth, financed.
Quiz
- True or False: The Godfather: Part III was a critical and commercial success.
- Which director was responsible for the box office bomb Heaven’s Gate?
- What was the main criticism of The Cotton Club?
- Which actor starred in Waterworld, a film that damaged his reputation as a leading man?
- True or False: The Last Airbender was a faithful adaptation of the popular animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Answer Key
- False
- Michael Cimino
- Its disjointed plot and lack of focus
- Kevin Costner
- False
- False
- Michael Cimino
- Its disjointed plot and lack of focus
- Kevin Costner
- False
Key Insights: Lessons from 10 Great Movies That Derailed Directors’ Careers
Key Insights
Critically panned films can derail directors’ careers . The Godfather Part III, Heaven’s Gate, The Cotton Club, The Last Airbender: Big-budget films with production issues can lead to financial failure. Heaven’s Gate, The Cotton Club: Lack of faithfulness to source material can result in critical and commercial failure. The Last Airbender: Negative reviews can damage a director’s reputation. The Godfather: Part III, The Last Airbender: Star power alone cannot guarantee a film’s success.
