economy
Bad movies, good business: how sanitized biopics became a Hollywood staple
As interest in the lives of celebrities has intensified, we have become accustomed to them curating and mercilessly monetizing their image
TL;DR
- Hollywood is increasingly turning to biopics to drive box office revenue, especially as interest in superheroes has plateaued.
- Audiences are showing a preference for 'fan service' in biopics, prioritizing the inclusion of hit songs and nostalgic elements over strict adherence to reality.
- The success of films like 'Michael' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' highlights the industry's shift towards prioritizing commercial appeal and audience engagement through curated, often sanitized, narratives.
- Control over music rights significantly influences the narrative of music biopics, with families and estates often having substantial input, leading to 'authorized' versions of stories.
- Despite critical pans for their lack of objectivity and potential factual inaccuracies, these sanitized biopics are proving to be highly profitable, indicating a significant change in audience priorities and the film industry's business model.