Jessica Lange has criticized the Hollywood film industry for valuing profits over creativity. In an interview with Vulture, she expressed her disapproval of Warner Bros. Discovery shelving films like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme for tax write-offs. Lange suggested that there should be laws against such practices, highlighting the extent to which corporate interests have overshadowed the artistic process in the industry.
She pointed out that many films are now driven by a profit motive rather than an artistic impulse. Lange praised foreign films like Anatomy of a Fall, emphasizing the importance of exploring ambiguity in storytelling. She bemoaned the prevalence of big franchises in Hollywood and noted that despite her respect for the craft, she has not been approached to star in any, as she wouldn’t know what to do with such roles.
Lange reminisced about the days when filmmaking involved meticulous attention to detail, waiting for hours on set to get the lighting just right. She contrasted the older, more deliberate filmmaking process with the fast-paced digital age, where cinematographers no longer have the time to craft each shot. Despite her concerns about the changing landscape of the industry, Lange expressed gratitude for the opportunities she had to work with renowned filmmakers early in her career. She acknowledged the inevitability of change but reflected on how the industry’s shift towards profit-driven strategies has impacted the creative process.