As a Hollywood veteran with a star-studded resume, Nicole Kidman is no stranger to the ups and downs of life in the entertainment industry — but she also doesn’t hesitate to criticize that industry when necessary. In a recent interview, the award-winning actress observed a drastic decrease in the number of new television shows and films, saying that it’s harder now than ever to greenlight projects that aren’t guaranteed to be immediate crowd-pleasers – such as a certain Marvel Jesus.
Speaking to Vanity Fair about her upcoming erotic drama Babygirl, Kidman reflected on the difficulty of securing new roles in an era where fewer and fewer directors seem willing to take creative risks. “Everything’s hard now,” she stated. “Actually everything. I mean, maybe not Deadpool, but there’s nothing that’s, ‘Oh my gosh. Yep. This is it. Greenlight, let’s go.’ Or maybe it’s just the things that I do. I just think that’s the nature of what we’re dealing with now. Things are shrinking in terms of shows being done and films being made.” Kidman added that her extensive experience in Hollywood has somewhat desensitized her to upheavals and obstacles, but she also admitted that the “shrinking” of the industry is still an unsettling prospect.
I mean, I started at 14, so I’ve seen a lot now.
Kidman’s subtle shade towards Deadpool and other crowd-pleasing projects may seem in poor taste given the number of box office records broken by Deadpool & Wolverine alone — but in an industry rapidly becoming oversaturated by sequels and spinoffs, it’s certainly disheartening to see a decline in more creative ventures, regardless of the MCU’s successes. Kidman is also far from the first celebrity to criticize the dominance of Marvel blockbusters, with prominent figures like Martin Scorsese and James Cameron arguing that Marvel’s larger-than-life presence in Hollywood prevents independent films from making it off the ground. Whether these big studios are truly to blame for a lack of new and original content, however, is difficult to say for sure.
Kidman is One of the Film Industry’s Biggest Critics
After over four decades in the entertainment industry, Kidman clearly isn’t afraid to throw shade — even at other established Hollywood veterans. Just a few days ago, Kidman stated that she was interested in working with renowned director Martin Scorsese “if he does a film with a woman,” referencing Scorsese’s track record of male-dominated projects as well as a comment the auteur made in 2019 about not having time for women anymore.
During another interview for her upcoming film Babygirl, an erotic and heavily R-rated thriller, Kidman candidly revealed feelings of exploitation that she and other actresses in Hollywood have historically experienced when filming sex scenes for male directors. Though her penchant for outspokenness may not appeal to all fans, Kidman does have a plethora of experience under her belt to back up her criticisms, making her a trusted source when it comes to insider information.
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Despite Kidman’s perceived downsizing of the entertainment industry, she still manages to secure a full schedule. Her next on-screen appearance is slated for Christmas Day, when Kidman will appear in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl opposite Harris Dickinson. She’s also expected to star in a two-season Prime Video adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta novels with Jamie Lee Curtis — although filming for the eagerly anticipated series has not yet begun.
- Release Date
- December 25, 2024
- Director
- Halina Reijn
- Runtime
- 114 Minutes
- Writers
- Halina Reijn
- Character(s)
- Romy , Samuel , Jacob , Esme , David , Hazal , Robert