Gareth Edwards and Justin Simien, the directors behind the upcoming movies “Creator” and “Haunted Mansion,” respectively, made appearances at the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con. Despite the ongoing actors and writers strikes, the filmmakers managed to give their projects a spotlight during the Directors on Directing panel hosted by film website Collider.
During the panel, moderated by Steven Weintraub, both directors navigated thorny questions about marketing and studio notes. Edwards and Simien, who were sponsored by Disney, spoke candidly about their experiences in the industry. Simien mentioned that he had worked on a “Star Wars” series centered around Lando Calrissian, but the project was ultimately shelved.
Edwards shared stories about meetings gone awry, where initial excitement turned into uncertainty as higher-ups got involved. He described the frustration of being told not to do the very thing he was hired to do. Louis Leterrier, the director of “Fast X” who replaced David Leitch on the panel, also shared his experiences of projects that fell apart, including a dream project called “Yellowstone Falls,” which revolved around a mother wolf and her cubs being chased by zombies.
The panel also delved into discussions about cinematography, creating original movies in a world dominated by branded IPs, and the use of artificial intelligence. Simien emphasized the importance of lighting Black actors differently in movies to ensure their visibility on screen. He expressed a desire to remake “The Wiz,” which received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
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Edwards humorously recounted his journey from making low-budget indie films to being enticed into directing big studio movies like “Godzilla” and “Star Wars.” He acknowledged the difficulty of saying no to such opportunities but also highlighted the lack of original studio offerings compared to previous years. He urged audiences to support original filmmaking if they want to see more of it in cinemas.
The panel ended with Leterrier, a fan of Edwards’ film “Creator,” eagerly joining the audience to watch an extended clip of the movie. The directors’ participation in the panel allowed their projects to gain recognition and generated interest among attendees.
The presence of Edwards and Simien at San Diego Comic-Con showcased the ongoing creativity and resilience of filmmakers despite the challenges faced by the industry. Their openness about the ups and downs of the filmmaking process shed light on the behind-the-scenes struggles that often go unnoticed by audiences. By sharing their experiences, the directors provided valuable insights into the realities of Hollywood and the importance of supporting original filmmaking.
