5 Movies That Sent Filmmakers' Careers Down in Flames
These directors certainly wish they hadn't shot those disasters.
In Hollywood, not every project can be a box-office hit. Indeed, some misfires have had such an impact that they've sent renowned directors' careers spiraling downward.
We are about to remember some of those instances.
Freaks (1932) — Tod Browning
Tod Browning, the big shot behind the classic horror movie, Dracula, decided to get creative and bold with his next project, Freaks. He ditched the usual costume and makeup, casting real-life people with physical deformities as circus performers.
This move was groundbreaking, but it shocked audiences back then. The movie got so much flak it was even banned in the UK, causing Browning's star in Hollywood to fade significantly. Still, it's worth checking out.
Rollerball (2002) — John McTiernan
You may know John McTiernan for directing such classics as Predator and Die Hard. He made a bunch of solid popcorn films, but, Rollerball tanked so bad it's often hailed as one of the worst movies of 2002.
It not only killed McTiernan's career momentum but also that of its lead, Chris Klein. The movie ditched the original's thoughtful social commentary for mindless violence and ended up losing a whole lot of money in the process.
Green Lantern (2011) — Martin Campbell
Martin Campbell, the director who made Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig our favorite Bonds, had a real bummer with the Green Lantern movie.
He tried to bring Ryan Reynolds ' take on the superhero to life, but the movie was a big no-no from both audiences and critics. With his brilliant James Bond work behind him, it was a real letdown.
Ghost Of Mars (2001) — John Carpenter
John Carpenter, the legendary horror master, had a steep fall with Ghosts of Mars. It was a far cry from his '80s classics with weak storytelling, poor cinematography, and no suspense. After the movie, Carpenter decided to take a long break from directing, and frankly, it was a wise move.
Howard the Duck (1986) — Willard Huyck
Willard Huyck, a frequent collaborator of George Lucas and the mind behind the scripts for American Graffiti and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, unfortunately, ended up directing one of the most ridiculed movies of all time, Howard the Duck.
Opting for live-action over animation was a disaster, as was the humor that even a five-year-old would groan at. Ever since this catastrophe, Huyck hasn't directed a single thing.
