The Northman received rave reviews when it was released earlier this year, but it didn't manage to find much of an audience. The movie grossed a mere $66.8 million on a budget that is believed to have landed somewhere between $70 million and $90 million. Needless to say, this once again drives home how challenging it is to attract moviegoers to an original IP.
The Daily Beast mentioned this problem to director Robert Eggers during a recent interview, though the filmmaker - who also helmed The Witch and The Lighthouse - is taking it all in his stride.
"Yeah, it’s the decline of Western civilization, what can I say?" he joked. "Look around. Yeah, it’s horrible. [Laughs]" Eggers might be happy to make a joke out of The Northman's disappointing box office numbers, but will this prompt the acclaimed director to start focusing on projects that do have a built-in audience?
"I need to restrategize in terms of what I’m pitching to a studio. Like, how do I be me and survive in this environment? Because while they wouldn’t have me anyway, I wouldn’t want to direct a Marvel movie, and I’m also not going to try to get the rights to Spawn or something either," he explained. "I’m going to keep doing what I’m going to do. But I know that everybody’s nervous right now, you know? Everybody’s nervous. And it’s justifiable."
In other words, don't expect Eggers to make the leap from original fare to working in the MCU or a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Many filmmakers have taken a shot at big budget blockbusters, found great success, and then used that clout to have more creative freedom with the movies they make.
That doesn't seem to be a path this director is looking to head down, though, and we're excited to see what he does next. After all, the fact that The Northman wasn't just another fantasy blockbuster is what made it such an awesome experience.
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