Key Takeaways:
– Filmmaker and writer Shane Black faced industry backlash after selling his screenplay, ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight,' for $4 million, only to see the film flop.
– Despite creating the successful ‘Lethal Weapon' franchise, Black's reputation took a hit from high-budget films that underperformed.
– The discouraging experience reportedly pushed Black to move towards directing his own scripts.
Iron Man Director's Screenwriting Journey and Subsequent Repercussions
Writer and director Shane Black shot to stardom in the ‘80s after creating the legendary buddy-cop action film ‘Lethal Weapon.' The script, written in just six weeks, fetched him a whopping $250,000 deal from Warner Bros(WB) and raked in $120 million at the box office. Post that triumph, Black went on to write ‘The Last Boy Scout,' featuring Bruce Willis, for which he brought home an impressive $1.75 million.
Shane Black made waves by selling the screenplay for ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight' at a record-breaking $4 million – an unprecedented feat at the time. The film had an intriguing plot revolving around a housewife who remembered her past life as an assassin for the US Government, with Hollywood A-listers Samuel L. Jackson and Geena Davis playing the lead roles.
Box office Failure Leads to Industry Backlash
Unfortunately, ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight,' made on a lavish $65 million budget, ended up being a box-office disappointment, earning only $95 million. The low returns, coupled with envy over the payment he received for his script, led to Black being ostracized in Hollywood.
Black illuminated his struggles in an interview with The Independent, recounting how his once-supportive fellow writers began seeing him with envy due to the massive paycheck. The failure also mirrored the performance of another of his works, ‘Last Action Hero,' starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, which made only $137 million against an $85 million budget.
Shift in Perspective
From enjoying the heat of a bidding war between top cinema houses like WB and Columbia Pictures, to becoming a Hollywood outsider, Black reportedly experienced a significant shift. The failure of the high-stake ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight' made him reconsider his role in the industry.
Despite setting a precedent with the $4 million script deal, Black chose to veer towards directing his own scripts. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,' marked his initiation into filmmaking, and while not a commercial success, it gained a cult following, much like ‘The Nice Guys.' Black also left a mark in the Marvel world by directing ‘Iron Man 3.'
Final Thoughts
Shane Black's journey underpins the complexities of Hollywood dynamics where one's reputation can sway with the box-office performance of their work. His decision to take control by directing scripts signifies his resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry. Despite past disappointments, Black has carved a unique niche in the film industry that is largely appreciated by the audience. ‘The Long Kiss Goodnight' is currently available to stream on Paramount+.
