In a surprising turn of events, Adam McKay’s proposed political satire – “Average Height, Average Build,” is currently in an ambiguous phase, with even Netflix allegedly stepping back. The film, centered around a serial killer leveraging politics to soften murder laws, was initially pitched by McKay back in March.
A-List Cast and a Humongous Budget
With No less than Robert Pattinson, Robert Downey, Jr. Amy Adams, Forrest Whitaker, and Danielle Deadwyle set to star, the film’s budget was listed at a staggering $150M+. Such a fat wallet raised eyebrows among several studios, seemingly troubled by the risk associated with such a colossal investment.
Netflix Buys and Drops the Project
Initially, Netflix seemed to provide a safe harbour, purchasing the rights to the film. The streaming giant supported McKay’s smash hit “Don’t Look Up” in 2021. However, buzz around town suggests Netflix has since severed ties, leaving the project adrift.
The McKay Risk Despite Oscar Laurels
Even though McKay’s last three films, “The Big Short,” “Vice,” and “Don’t Look Up,” all bathed in Oscar glory, his latest brainchild is considered risky. The not-so-audience-friendly premise apparently continues to scare off studios.
“Don’t Look Up”, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence on a mission to thwart an asteroid, held the record as Netflix’s second most-watched movie of all time at the release. The film clocked no less than 360 million hours of viewing. Alas, those towering numbers failed to keep Netflix committed to McKay’s latest endeavor.
McKay’s Evolution and the Fate of His New Film
Beginning with frat comedy classics like “Anchorman,” “Talladega Nights,” “Step Brothers,” and “The Other Guys,” McKay’s transition into more intense narratives has been noteworthy. The future of his new brainchild remains in limbo, with hope for an audacious studio to come to the rescue. Perhaps, a softer budget might just be the game changer this non-IP project needs.
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