Legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott expresses frustration with the current state of the film industry, saying he finds himself revisiting his own past works.
The acclaimed director of Blade Runner has a rather bleak view of the industry, referring to much of Hollywood’s output as “mediocre,” according to Deadline.
“The number of films being produced globally today—millions of them—most are just not good,” he remarked during an interview at BFI Southbank in London. He noted that while digital effects may help some films succeed, they often lack a solid foundation in storytelling.
When asked about his favorite contemporary film, he admitted, “I’ve been struck by just how average things are. It’s a bit alarming, really. So, I’ve started re-watching my own films, and honestly, they hold up better than I remembered!”
Now at 87, Scott reflected on the quality of modern cinema while revisiting his own filmography.
“The other day, I watched Black Hawk Down and thought, ‘How did this happen?’ But there are moments when something exceptional comes along, and it feels like a relief to see a truly good film,” he noted.
Scott also hinted at his future projects, including Gladiator 3. “The character is still around and essentially an emperor, so I have a clear vision for how it should unfold,” he shared.
In addition to this, he has been associated with the Alien series, though he revealed he recently turned down a lucrative $20 million offer to direct Terminator 3 due to concerns about how he might approach the material.
While some believe artificial intelligence could rejuvenate Hollywood, Scott finds himself more wary than optimistic about its potential.
He previously voiced caution about AI in 2023, emphasizing the need to “control AI” before it spirals out of control. “If you create AI, you’re merely setting the stage for one computer to design a smarter one. And when that happens, you’re opening up a can of worms—it could take over major systems,” he explained. “It’s a ticking time bomb,” he cautioned.
“AI could pose serious risks,” he insisted.
