Margot Robbie is one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Debuting in the industry with 'The Wolf of Wall Street' and gaining critical acclaim for 'Barbie. Robbie's film 'Babylon', directed by Damien Chazelle, underperformed at the box office, leaving the actress puzzled.
- Margot Robbie's 'Babylon' under-performed
- Its star-studded cast failed to save film
- Robbie hopes for future recognition
A stinker of a movie
Despite its star-studded cast and ambitious storyline, the film grossed less than its budget. Robbie hopes it will eventually gain recognition, similar to 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
Margot Robbie, one of Hollywood's most in-demand actresses, has been part of numerous ambitious projects since her breakout role in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. Her recent venture, 'Babylon', directed by Damien Chazelle, was anticipated to be a major success.
Known for his work on 'La La Land' and 'Whiplash', Chazelle brought together a stellar cast, including Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, and Tobey Maguire, to tell the story of 1920s Hollywood's turbulent shift from silent films to talkies. Despite these promising elements, the film did not resonate with audiences.
'Babylon' came with a hefty budget of 80 million but managed to gross less than 65 million upon its release.
The film's reception was lukewarm, with a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of just 57% and an average score of 6.4/10. This unexpected outcome has left Robbie puzzled.
Speaking on the 'Talking Pictures' podcast with Ben Mankiewicz, she expressed her bewilderment: "I still can’t figure out why people hated it." Despite the film's performance, Robbie remains hopeful for its future.
Robbie likened 'Babylon's' potential path to that of 'The Shawshank Redemption', a film that initially failed but later gained cult status. She shared her thoughts, saying,
"I know I am biased because I am very close to and believe in the project, but I still can’t figure out why people hated it."
It's all a mystery for her.
Margot Robbie’s cultural influence extends beyond her acting into her work as a producer. In 2014, she co-founded the production company LuckyChap Entertainment, with a focus on producing films that center on complex, multidimensional female characters.
This move was pivotal in pushing for more diverse female-driven narratives in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by male storytellers. Films like 'Birds of Prey', which Robbie produced, and 'Promising Young Woman', which her company supported, highlighted her commitment to empowering women both in front of and behind the camera.
Her work has contributed to a wider shift in the film industry toward more inclusive, women-centered narratives, from the roles women are asked to play to the kinds of stories that are given green lights in Hollywood.
Through her career choices and public persona, Robbie has not only solidified herself as a major Hollywood talent but also as a symbol of empowerment, redefining the roles that women can play both on and off the screen. Her impact will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of Hollywood for years to come.
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Bundle of joy!
Post-'Barbie'
I wonder if, in 20 years, people will be like, ‘Wait, Babylon didn’t do well at the time?’ Like when you hear that 'Shawshank Redemption' was a failure at the time, and you’re like, ‘How is that possible?’"
Her hope is that 'Babylon' will eventually receive the acclaim it deserves.
