Hollywood’s Fall Blockbusters Clash with U.S. Election Drama

Three weeks after Americans hit the polls, Ridley Scott is bringing ancient Rome back to life with “Gladiator 2”—a story about power, survival, and the fate of democracy. Scott himself says, “We hope this is a good omen,” referring to the timing of the film’s release.

Hollywood in the Election Spotlight

While political drama unfolds across the U.S., Hollywood is doing its part. With Vance Joy and Oprah Winfrey headlining the Democratic convention and J.D. Vance’s story told in “Hillbilly Elegy,” the entertainment world has already made its mark on this year’s election. Not to mention George Clooney calling for President Biden to step down, further fueling political tension.

 

Can Hollywood Entertain Without the Politics?

After a tough couple of years, Hollywood’s focus is on winning back its audience. Disney CEO Robert Iger said it best: “It’s not about the message, it’s about entertainment.” With two billion-dollar hits last summer, “Inside Out 2” and “Deadpool vs. Wolverine,” the industry is clawing its way back to box-office dominance.

 

Moana Takes on Maui—and Politics

One of the top contenders for this fall’s box office is “Moana 2.” But with Dwayne Johnson returning as Maui and tiptoeing around any political endorsements, the film may resonate differently depending on the election results. Director Dana Ledoux Miller acknowledges, “We’ll see what happens, but the movie is what it is.”

 

The Apprentice—Trump’s October Surprise

Get ready for an October surprise with “The Apprentice,” a film about a young Donald Trump, starring Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn. The Trump campaign calls it “election interference,” but director Ali Abbasi insists filmmakers have a duty to confront politics head-on.

 

No Clear Frontrunner in the Oscar Race—Yet

Unlike last year’s clear leader, “Oppenheimer,” this fall’s Oscar race is wide open. From “Joker: Double Madness” to “Wicked!” and even “Megalopolis,” Hollywood is rolling out an array of films hoping to snag the spotlight.

 

Wicked Wonders If Truth Really Is the Truth

“Wicked!” director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt believe their musical, opening just days after “Gladiator 2,” is highly relevant to today’s political climate. “It’s about the distance people go to connect and sometimes… when the truth isn’t the truth.”

 

Movies Take New Forms—From LEGO to CGI Monkeys

Innovative films are also set to debut, with Morgan Neville using LEGO to tell Pharrell Williams’ story in “Piece by Piece,” and Tom Hanks starring in a one-shot-style film by Robert Zemeckis. Even Robbie Williams will be played by a CGI monkey in “A Better Man.”

 

Coppola’s Futuristic Rome vs. Scott’s Ancient One

As Francis Ford Coppola unveils his long-awaited “Megalopolis,” a futuristic epic, Scott’s take on ancient Rome in “Gladiator 2” draws surprising parallels to today’s political struggles. Scott reflects, “When has history not talked about authoritarian leadership versus people trying to correct it?”