As Paramount prepares for the theatrical release of its revival of The Naked Gun, the future of scripted comedy is under scrutiny. This article delves into insights shared at the recent AVP Summit in Italy, where industry leaders discussed the evolving landscape of comedy in cinema.
The Future of Comedy on the Big Screen
As Paramount prepares for the theatrical release of its The Naked Gun revival in August, the future of scripted comedy was a hot topic at the AVP Summit producers’ event in northern Italy on Wednesday.
Panel Discussion Overview
Former Paramount executive Gary Lucchesi, who oversaw the production of the original The Naked Gun movies in the 1990s, chaired the discussion, motivated by his desire to see comedies return to the big screen.
Joining him were The Idea Of You producer Jordana Mollick, co-founder of comedy-focused Semi-Formal Productions with filmmaker Michael Showalter; Funny or Die executives Mike Farah and Joe Farrell; and Italian producer Verdiana Bixio, whose company Publispei is currently filming a reboot of the popular comedy show I Cesaroni.
Upcoming Projects and Streaming Trends
Mollick, riding high on the streaming success of Anne Hathaway’s romcom The Idea Of You, revealed that the upcoming Christmas comedy Oh. What. Fun, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Felicity Jones, is set for a platform release on Amazon Prime under Semi-Formal Productions’ first-look deal with Amazon MGM Studios.
“It’s like Home Alone, but the mother instead of the child gets left behind,” she explained. “It was always intended to be streaming… The Idea Of You was a film many believe could have been a huge theatrical success, but we lack the data to confirm how comedies would perform in theaters today.”
She noted that the choice between streaming and theatrical releases isn’t strictly genre-specific, mentioning that Semi-Formal Productions’ other upcoming release, Verity, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling thriller, is aimed for the big screen.
Challenges Facing Comedy in Cinema
Farrell pointed out a disconnect between the rising popularity of live stand-up comedy and the decline of comedies in cinemas. “The scripted comedy business is definitely challenged,” he noted. “While there are opportunities for creators like Jordana and Michael, the number of projects being made has significantly decreased.”
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He elaborated on the current landscape, stating, “Stand-up comedy is booming in the U.S., with comedians selling out sports arenas. Yet, we hear from buyers and streamers that comedy isn’t a priority, and audiences aren’t eager to watch it together.”
Farrell also observed that studios are increasingly blending comedy elements into other genres, saying, “Making a movie is now so expensive and risky that buyers often opt for superhero films with comedic elements, like Deadpool and Guardians of the Galaxy. These films are funny but aim to cater to a broad audience to ensure box office success.”
Future Opportunities for Comedy
Farah highlighted that younger audiences and creators are exploring new formats for comedy. “With the rise of digital content, there are numerous ways to create comedy now. However, the development system has shifted away from scripted collaboration towards self-documentation and establishing a branded personality,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, he and Farrell see potential in the communal experience of watching comedy together. “It’s akin to horror films; the shared experience of laughter can enhance the enjoyment,” he said. “If we can redirect younger and established talent to focus on films again, there’s a chance theatrical comedies can unite audiences once more.”
Source: deadline.com
