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Margot Robbie Reflects on the Mixed Reception of “Babylon”
Damien Chazelle’s 2022 film “Babylon” has gained notoriety as one of the significant box office disappointments in recent cinematic history, often cited as an example of the lavish spending that characterized Hollywood prior to its current financial retrenchment. The ambitious three-hour film, which chronicles the transition from silent films, was produced at an estimated cost of $80 million yet managed to earn around $63 million in theaters. Despite receiving three Academy Award nominations and eliciting divided opinions from critics who praised or condemned it, audience reception was overwhelmingly negative. Now, nearly two years after its release, lead actress Margot Robbie finds herself still pondering the reasons behind this rejection.
Robbie, who portrayed the complex character Nellie LaRoy alongside co-stars Brad Pitt and Diego Calva, shared her thoughts during an episode of the podcast “Talking Pictures,” where host Ben Mankiewicz expressed surprise at the film’s unpopularity. “I love it. I don’t get it either,” Robbie remarked. “I know I am biased because I am very close to the project and I obviously believe in it, but I still can’t figure out why people hated it. I wonder if in 20 years people are going to 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?’”
In a prior discussion on the same podcast, Chazelle reflected on the implications of the film’s disappointing box office performance, acknowledging that it would impact future projects. “I have no illusions. I’m not gonna get a budget of ‘Babylon’ size any time soon, or at least not on this next one,” he stated, highlighting the shifting landscape of filmmaking.
Despite the fallout from “Babylon,” Margot Robbie’s career trajectory remains robust, with her starring role in “Barbie” making it the highest-grossing film of 2023. Looking ahead, if “Babylon” is reassessed and emerges as a cult classic in the years to come, Robbie will undoubtedly be in a position to remind audiences that she saw its potential from the beginning.
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www.goldderby.com