Why can’t David Fincher and Darren Aaronofsky work with HBO?
Depending on who you ask HBO is one of the boldest networks around. Around the time of The Sopranos, that was something of an undisputed fact. They also got props for Game of Thrones, and now for Westworld. There is defiantly not a lack of vision at HBO. But why do production with big directors, like David Fincher and Darren Aaronfsky, not pan out as planned?
With the recent news that Aaronfsky’s new show, MaddAddam, based on a series of books by Margaret Atwood was not going to find a home at HBO, we’re left wondering just what is going on over there that is not clicking. If we were to count the failed Vinyl (from Martin Scorsese and Mic Jagger) that makes three projects with big name directors that ultimately went nowhere. At least Vinyl got a first season out of the gate.
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Budgetary issues were rumored to be part of the problem with David Fincher’s show, and we already know how expensive Vinyl was to put together. It’s likely that budget also played a part in MaddAddam’s demise, but there is something else going on here. It wouldn’t be like HBO to exert too much creative control, especially with proven directors. That would at least be true if they didn’t end up heavily interfering with Vinyl for the second season that never made it.
It’s a little disconcerting to see these projects not work out, and some of them will end up at on other networks. With Westworld HBO doesn’t necessarily need another huge sci-fi series like what MaddAddam would have been, but all the same it is sad to see it go. With three canceled series from known film directors, it can officially be called a trend. Hopefully it’s one that HBO kicks sooner rather than later.
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We may never know why MaddAddam fell through or the real reasons behind David Fincher’s departure. But it doesn’t play well for HBO.