Back in April, Damien Chazelle set up his next film with Paramount, this one is rumored to take place in a prison. It’s being described as a “mid-budget” drama with action elements. I just heard production is set to begin in October, and a 2025 release is being eyed.
Chazelle’s last film, “Babylon,” tanked at the box-office, making $63 million against a production budget of a little under $100 million. “Babylon” ultimately lost Paramount an estimated $87 million. Oddly enough, it was a huge hit in France, with both critics and audiences.
Earlier this year, Chazelle had mentioned almost being done writing a new script and that, although he was about to pitch it to a studio, an uncertainty lingered in his head as to how Hollywood would welcome him back into fold after “Babylon.”
I’ve been sort of busy writing. So I’ll get a taste of how it’s changed or not [since “Babylon”] once I get to finish this script and try to get it made. I’m in a sort of trepidatious state of mind, but I have no illusions. I won’t get a budget of “Babylon” size any time soon, or at least not on this next one.
Certainly, in financial terms, “Babylon” didn’t work at all. You try to not have that effect what you’re doing creatively, but, at some level, it can’t help but affect it. But maybe that’s okay? I have very mixed mind about it. Maybe I won’t be able to get this one made. We’ll have to wait and see.
Chazelle’s previous credits as a director include “Whiplash,” “La La Land,” and “First Man.” His “Babylon,” although flawed, was this great and maddening cinematic vision that didn’t deserve the hate it received.
Having an insurance director is not uncommon in Hollywood. Aging filmmakers, in case a health issue arises, sometimes need to have one. It seems like that’s what might have occurred on “What Happens at Night.”