Hollywood Franchises Need Breaks To "Build Anticipation," Says Scott Pilgrim's Edgar Wright

Instead of Phase 5, one movie director seems to think the MCU should take five. Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Baby Driver) has alluded to that point, though he specifically avoided calling out certain Hollywood franchises with his recommendation.

Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast (spotted by IndieWire), Wright talked about overall franchise fatigue on the silver screen. "I think one of the problems with film franchises is sometimes when they announce--I'm not mentioning any names of anything--when they announce like massive slates of films and TV shows […] there's a danger of killing the golden goose," the director said.

He may not be naming names, but the MCU and Star Wars are basically the only two franchises in town in which Disney announces years and years of films alongside TV series. Instead of this, Wright believes the James Bond series with producer Barbara Broccoli has done a better job giving it a breather between new entries.

"They are smart enough to put the brakes on and build anticipation so you'll be excited for the next one," Wright said of the 007 property. "I think one of the problems now is that I wish with some films and series that people would understand it's okay to take a break and build anticipation."

However, Wright admits maybe he isn't the target audience for these Hollywood blockbusters any longer. "I would never want to besmirch any franchises because I'm 49 now, and it's a different thing if maybe you have kids, and it's about introducing your kids to the franchises," he said. "But it is a weird thing: If I could go back to when I was a young film fan, and I've just enjoyed a movie, and people are saying, 'Guess what? They'll be one every three years for the rest of your life.' I’d be like, ‘Really?!’ That’s the thing that is sad to me, the lack of investment in new movies.”

For those unfamiliar, Wright was slated to direct Ant-Man for Marvel before leaving the project because of creative differences. Last year he talked about what happened with the MCU film and why he still has never seen it--even though he is a credited writer on the movie.

Instead of Ant-Man, Wright went on to helm 2017's Baby Driver. In 2021, he directed the documentary The Sparks Brothers as well as Last Night in Soho. He's currently promoting the Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which works as a sequel and remake to his 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

Image credit: Getty Images/Presley Ann