Steven Soderbergh Sounds Alarm on Mid-Budget Movie Struggle

Director Steven Soderbergh voices concerns over the future of mid-budget films, like his thriller 'Black Bag,' due to their poor box office performance. He stresses the need to attract audiences over 25 and highlights the challenge for filmmakers to produce adult-oriented content in today's market.

Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh has openly expressed his frustrations regarding the disappointing box office performance of mid-budget films, including his latest espionage thriller, 'Black Bag'. Despite garnering critical acclaim, the film failed to draw a significant audience, leading Soderbergh to worry about the future of such cinema.

Soderbergh noted a concerning trend where films with moderate budgets and star-studded casts struggle to attract viewers over the age of 25. In an interview with Deadline, he emphasized that if this demographic is truly avoiding mid-range cinema, it spells trouble for the industry. "It's not a good thing for movies," he declared.

The looming threat for filmmakers interested in creating adult-oriented films was also on Soderbergh's mind. He pondered the impact on emerging directors who aspire to make similar films, suggesting that some of his iconic works like 'Erin Brockovich' and 'Traffic' might not find success in today's market. He called for efforts to cultivate an audience for these mid-range films outside the popular genres of fantasy and horror.

Soderbergh's concerns come at a time when he's editing his latest project, 'The Christophers', featuring actors Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel, which he hopes will resonate with audiences.

(With inputs from agencies.)