What's Inside?
- Ridley Scott says most modern movies are “shit,” blaming Hollywood’s obsession with visuals over meaningful writing and storytelling.
- The legendary Gladiator director admits rewatching his own films, calling them timeless and a reminder of authentic filmmaking.
- Scott confirms his upcoming film The Dog Stars and reveals he’s already writing a third Gladiator movie.
In an era where content floods every platform, legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott has delivered a sharp reality check to Hollywood. Speaking at the British Film Institute in London, the Gladiator and Alien director didn’t mince words about what he sees as a creative crisis in modern cinema. According to Scott, the industry is now drowning in “mediocrity,” with too many films lacking strong writing or original vision.
Ridley Scott Slams the Decline of Creativity in Filmmaking
At 87, Ridley Scott remains as outspoken as ever — and still far from retirement. During his BFI appearance with his son Luke Scott, he lamented the state of global filmmaking, saying, “The quantity of movies that are made today, literally globally, millions. Not thousands, millions … and most of it is shit.”
Scott believes the issue lies in storytelling taking a backseat to visual spectacle. “I think a lot of films today are saved and made more expensive by digital effects, because what they haven’t got is a great thing on paper first,” he said. His advice to aspiring filmmakers? “Get it on paper!”
It’s a sentiment that rings true in an age when big-budget effects often overshadow the power of a compelling script. Scott’s criticism isn’t just aimed at studios — it’s a wake-up call for an industry obsessed with output rather than originality.
Ridley Scott Revisits His Classics — and His Confidence
When asked whether he had a “comfort film” to rewatch, Scott’s response was pure Ridley: confident, self-aware, and slightly irreverent. “Well, actually, right now, I’m finding mediocrity — we’re drowning in mediocrity,” he admitted. “And so what I do — it’s a horrible thing — but I’ve started watching my own movies, and actually they’re pretty good! And also, they don’t age.”
He recently rewatched Black Hawk Down and found himself impressed all over again. “I thought, ‘How in the hell did I manage to do that?’” he said with a laugh. For a man who built his career on crafting timeless cinematic worlds — from Blade Runner’s neon dystopia to Gladiator’s Roman grandeur — his pride doesn’t come off as arrogance so much as self-assurance born of experience.
Despite his criticism of modern cinema, Scott still sees occasional brilliance in others’ work. “Occasionally a good one will happen,” he said, “and it’s like a relief that there’s somebody out there who’s doing a good movie.”
And he’s not slowing down. After releasing Gladiator II in 2024, Scott has already completed production on The Dog Stars, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi drama starring Jacob Elordi, and confirmed he’s working on a third Gladiator film. “He’s around and he technically is the Emperor of Rome,” Scott teased about Paul Mescal’s character. “And so I have a footprint about what I think it should be. But I’m not going to tell you in case you steal it!”
For Ridley Scott, mediocrity isn’t just a creative problem — it’s a cultural one. His blunt honesty may ruffle feathers, but it also reflects his lifelong commitment to storytelling that endures beyond trends. In a time when cinema feels diluted by endless sequels and formulaic blockbusters, Scott’s call to “get it on paper” feels like both a challenge and a plea — to return to what truly makes movies memorable: great writing, bold vision, and the courage to be original.
