The Green Hornet Director Lashes Out At "Nerds" Who Aren't Happy With Movie!

The Green Hornet Director Lashes Out At "Nerds" Who Aren't Happy With Movie!

Michel Gondry has finally decided to address the fans (or fascists as he calls them) that aren't too pleased with the comedic direction the movie is seemingly taking even though "normal" people like it...

By JoshWilding - Dec 15, 2010 11:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Green Hornet
Source: The Playlist

In an interview with British newspaper, The Guardian, the director hit out at the comic book fans who have attacked the movie for it's seemingly comedic tone. (as well as the fact that it seems to be playing with the source material fairly loosely) Well, Gondry has decided to address those critics and defends his choice to cast an actor like Seth Rogen in the title role. I never thought I'd be called a fascist by a CBM director...



"I usually identify with the nerds but these ones just reinforce the social rules. Their values are fascistic. All those people marching around in capes and masks and boots. The superhero imagery is totally fascist!"

"When you step into this genre, they feel it belongs to them. They want you to conform, or they won’t like you. They want the conventional. But it’s fine. The movies has been doing very well, I think, whenever we’ve screened it to normal people."

"I’m attracted to working with comedians because they don’t have that stars’ idea of what a hero should be."


What Gondry might not realise, is that despite "normal" people enjoying this movie, it'll be the "nerds" that flock to the cinema on opening day to see it! While you can't necessarily blame him for attacking those who judge the film before it's even released (although everyone's entitled to an opinion despite that, surely?) I don't think it's a good idea for him to be quite so harsh...especially with the risk that this might just put people off from checking out The Green Hornet! What do you guys think though? Be sure to share your thoughts in the usual place.

The Green Hornet is set to be released in 3D on January 14, 2011!




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LEEE777
LEEE777 - 12/15/2010, 11:41 AM
LOL!

If it ain't serious, it ain't Hornet!

I'm keeping an open mind but... lol.
Ibz
Ibz - 12/15/2010, 11:45 AM
the general public are the ones who essentially decide the fate of a movie, its that simple, so what if theres a comedic tone to it, i dont remember iron man comics having so much comedy to it, its fricking superhero movie its meant to be light hearted, long as it dosent become batman and robin then having a light hearted super hero flick is worth it, GL looks like pretty fun movie, i saw a lot of people complaining that it had humour, i mean seriously is comedy such a bad thing?
SuperSpiderMan5778
SuperSpiderMan5778 - 12/15/2010, 11:49 AM
well he just lost a few customers. i probably won't jump to see this movie. i have to wait and see. if it's worth watching in theatres i'll spend my 8 or 10 bucks on it but what he said was just plain dumb. he should've kept his mouth shut until after the movie is released. he might've upset some nerds or comic book fans that might just bootleg it.
GrimeKid
GrimeKid - 12/15/2010, 11:52 AM
He's completely right.
I hate the way nerds think they own a movie
just because they read the source-material.
ManhuntersBastardChild
ManhuntersBastardChild - 12/15/2010, 11:54 AM
yeah, Josh, i have to agree with Ibz on this one, that the general non-geek population is what makes or break a movie (financially, critically etc). Personally, i did not follow the original show with Bruce Lee very closely, but I feel that what I've seen of this new movie is very promising and I definitely want to see it!
CaptainQuirk
CaptainQuirk - 12/15/2010, 11:56 AM
Now that's a real director.... Respect Mr. Gondry!
Angelus
Angelus - 12/15/2010, 11:56 AM
This makes me wanna see the movie even more! I will see it the very first day it premiers here in Norway! Awesome comeback from him actually! I cant wait for Green Hornet!

BMP!
SHHH
SHHH - 12/15/2010, 12:01 PM
Pass...
ManThing
ManThing - 12/15/2010, 12:01 PM
hahahahaahaha! Wait justa minute... what nerds that aren't happy?

Last I heard nobody gives a rat's ass about this movie.

Where are these so - called nerds?
supert
supert - 12/15/2010, 12:02 PM
Well, I kind of agree with him a little.

I feel for directors that take on comic book movies because they have the difficult task of creating a movie that will appease to the die hard fan-boys but also appeal to the general audience that may have never read that certain heroes comic book in the first place.

The majority of fan-boys are picky, whiny kids as it is so if the movie isn't a literal scene by scene replication of the comic, it's crap to them. Which is enitrely ridiculous. I don't think most fan boys understand the word "adaptation." I think most directors should take the heart of most of the stories and adapt them and twist them into something that will move smoothly to the big screen. What's the point of doing an exact replica of the comic?

I definitely understand where he's coming from, although he could have worded it a lot better.
TheSchemer
TheSchemer - 12/15/2010, 12:03 PM
I was planning on seeing it right away, but now I'm not so sure I will, just because I can't stand it when directors act this way.

If he disagrees with 'nerds' fine. That's his opinion. But don't lash out unless its at those people that are like "Thor's hammer is too small!" If I saw a Batman film being made a comedy, I'd be upset, but I would wait until I saw it to pass judgement. And who decides if a character deserves to be messed with (as in change the type of character he/she is)

I mean, its not if nerds 'own' the source material or not, its is this really who the (insert hero) is? Some people will probably think this isn't really the Green Hornet. I'll wait to decide.
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 12/15/2010, 12:09 PM
Personally, I have to say screw Michael Gondry. He's actually the one who conformed! Instead of using the classic Green Hornet show as inspiration and making something truly new and awesome, he pandered to the lowest common denominator by making it a typical, goofy Hollywood movie. So please, Mr. Gondry, excuse me if I don't like the direction of your film because it shits on everything I love about the character. My bad.
BetaRayB
BetaRayB - 12/15/2010, 12:10 PM
Calling them fascists because they wear capes and boots to conventions? It's not like they wear their superhero gear every day. And what the hell is fascist about it? It's no different than someone painting their face or wearing a jersey to a sporting event. What an arrogant elitist jerk!
GrimeKid
GrimeKid - 12/15/2010, 12:11 PM
I like movies alot more than I like comics, they do more for me emotionally, so I respect when a film deviates from expectations to give a more entertaining experience.
Because there's so many movies doing the same thing, I think we should embrace when one comes along that takes a different look at things.
I'm not talking about Green Hornet specifically, but CBM'S in general
longshot234
longshot234 - 12/15/2010, 12:14 PM
Maybe he will change his tune when it flops! If you are making a movie about a superhero, you will have the fans on you the whole time. If it starts to look hoaky, like this movie looks, then you have nobody but yourself to blame. Ignoring the source material is never a good way to make a movie, right Fox?
JaySchluffy
JaySchluffy - 12/15/2010, 12:18 PM
Hey I havent got a problem with that statement, if the guy came out like Bret Ratner did last year I would be mad.
smallvillefanricky
smallvillefanricky - 12/15/2010, 12:18 PM
I agree with the ''they think is belongs to them'' which
most of the people do on here the way they moan about whos in what and who directiong what and judging it by the trailers,its the 21st century..things change :)
SHHH
SHHH - 12/15/2010, 12:19 PM
The "General" public will like and pay$$$$$ for anything...

JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 12/15/2010, 12:24 PM
I'm not familiar with the comic books so don't have the same problems with the movie that most other people do...from what I've seen so far, I think it looks great in fact! However, while I understand his frustration, it's a little unfair for him to lash out at the fans who just want to see a character they care about portrayed properly. He just sounds like a bit of an asshole above IMO. :P

MTL: What!? Kick-Ass stuck to the source material almost 100% apart from a few minor plot details (caused by work starting on the movie before the comic was finished) which you'd expect in an adaptation anyway, while Wanted may have been a financial success but the majority of critics and fans hated it! Actually read the comics before making stupid comments like that. I'm afraid that the only invalid argument here is YOURS.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 12/15/2010, 12:28 PM
SHHH @ Exactly!!
DaDeaDmAn
DaDeaDmAn - 12/15/2010, 12:28 PM
If I wanted to watch more Super Capers I would have looked around I think there is a second one... The Hornet ment something to Legends Like Bruce Lee! Who the F..... does he think he is to use Comedians cause they dont have the same view of heroes as most ppl! Heroes are Heroes cause of what they stand for the movies should be treated with the same respect...
kakinurmawth
kakinurmawth - 12/15/2010, 12:30 PM
Did he really call nerds fascists?!?!?! Really??
longbowhunter
longbowhunter - 12/15/2010, 12:31 PM
I dont get where he says, "They want the conventional". Thats the last thing I want.
secretagentdouble000
secretagentdouble000 - 12/15/2010, 12:38 PM
Sorry gang but this guy hit the nail on the head.
Scion
Scion - 12/15/2010, 12:40 PM
"I’m attracted to working with comedians because they don’t have that stars’ idea of what a hero should be."... He's basically saying I worked with Seth Rogen because he has no idea what he's doing. Good job asshat.
LOL
LOL - 12/15/2010, 12:45 PM
While Gondry could have phrased things better, he is basically right. Flop or no, the director of a CBM movie for Hollywood would have to take into consideration the broad stream market other than the die-hard fans. In one hand, they have the tough time trying to balance the tone/look of the CBM for audiences outside from their direct fans that don't read much comics and aren't familiar with the character.... on the other hand, they also have to try to adapt a vision of the source material and take it in a different direction - but hopefully not too extreme enough though, as to completely veer off the well-beaten path.

Adaptation really is a fan's nightmare, and that is why a CBM rarely makes the final cut with the die-hards. I, myself, am not exempt from it... but I still do understand that everyone has his/her vision of how their favorite characters should and should not be... Gondry may have come out a bit of a douche with his play on words, but his other body of work speak for themselves.

@longshot: I agree with MovieTheaterLad, and I would also add Nolan's Batman franchise to his list of CBMs.... it took liberties (especially the first movie: Batman Begins) with the source material and every other person here think its the best CBM out there to date regardless of how good or bad it was in their opinion.
cobracleveland
cobracleveland - 12/15/2010, 12:52 PM
I see what he is talking about,people cry all the time because it's not just like the book,or the story they have seen or heard. Got to remember this is there take on the hero,not a copy. I see it here alot.
skullboy
skullboy - 12/15/2010, 12:52 PM
F--K YOU GONDRY!
Scion
Scion - 12/15/2010, 12:56 PM
But if you're going to put your own spin/twist on an established franchise why not just make something new and not call it The Green Hornet.

He wanted the name recognition for a movie that would have done horribly w/o the name attached. Even more horribly than it's going to do here.
AC1
AC1 - 12/15/2010, 12:56 PM
I totally agree with what he said, CBMs should NEVER be carbon copies of story arcs within a mythos that has lasted a long period of time. The only reason it works for movies like Kick-Ass and Sin City (two amazing films btw) is because they are based on limited runs that lasted less than a decade (Sin City lasted 9 years while Kick-Ass lasted 2), but a mythos like Green Hornet, which is nearly 80 years old, cant be adapted perfectly

Gondry sounded like a dick, but he has a very good point
Siolentvex
Siolentvex - 12/15/2010, 1:01 PM
This guy is fairly weak willed if he is letting fan comments get to him. Are his buttons so easy to push because he is worried about his film? The only regretful part is that he wants to throw the buzzword 'fascist' in there when it has nothing to do with the idea he is trying to express. He should leave adult words to the conversations about adult topics.
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