Zack Snyder Reveals What Influenced His Biggest Failure to Date

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As a long-time admirer of Zack Snyder‘s unique and often divisive approach to filmmaking, I find myself intrigued by his latest revelation about the inspiration behind his enigmatic flop, “Sucker Punch.” It seems that Snyder was inspired by the dark tales of Frances Farmer and Bob Fosse’s semi-autobiographical “All That Jazz,” which, in a twisted way, gave birth to this cinematic conundrum.

People who have seen any film directed by Zack Snyder will surely agree that his style is unique, to say the least, and often divisive. He elicits a range of emotions; some consider him a creative genius, while others view him as falling short. Despite his contributions to iconic comic book adaptations, he’s also known for some major flops in the film industry.

Snyder adopts a highly individualistic style in his films, which combines raw and somber elements with over-the-top and comedic ones – a blend that’s challenging to pull off since gritty and campy styles don’t often coexist harmoniously. His productions garner positive feedback from some audiences, while others criticize them, as demonstrated by the reception of his latest film, Rebel Moon.

Besides “Rebel Moon,” Zack Snyder also has another film in his portfolio that’s often seen as a misstep rather than a masterpiece by many viewers. This controversial production, which Snyder himself considers a misunderstood work of art, is widely criticized for its exploitative nature and lack of justification for the story it tells. We are referring to “Sucker Punch,” and here, Snyder has shared the inspiration behind this unique film.

In a conversation with Evan Schwartz, Snyder predominantly delved into the topic of his film, “Sucker Punch,” which he continues to praise despite its critical and commercial downfall. Interestingly, he’s recently expressed a desire to re-release an extended version of the movie, a move that, given his recent struggles, might not be the best decision. During their discussion about the movie, Snyder has lately disclosed the source of inspiration for the film that garnered much controversy and became a box office disappointment:

As a gamer, I drew inspiration from the movie “Frances” back in 1982 when I was still a sophomore in high school. The film tells the story of Frances Farmer, a renowned actress who underwent lobotomy and was institutionalized, where she was also raped. Around the same time, “All That Jazz” greatly impacted me too. In essence, you could say that if “All That Jazz” and “Frances” had a child, it would be my creation in some ways, but also a concept that slowly took shape on its own. This is why I chose to set the game in an ambiguous time period between the late 1950s and early 1960s, a world where the rules are blurred, particularly within mental institutions. Once admitted, your sanity is questioned, and you lose all rights and control over your situation.

ES: Anything you say will make you sound crazy.

Indeed. In many aspects, it’s almost as bad as being imprisoned. The film was significantly impacted by Brazil, among other influential movies such as Frances and All That Jazz. However, the director’s cut has yet to be realized by me. Nevertheless, I intend to complete it at some stage. In the original conclusion, when Babydoll is strapped in a chair in the basement with Blue, she’s already had a lobotomy – when the officer illuminates her, the set collapses, and she rises to perform a song on stage.

Source: Letterboxd

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2024-08-16 16:14