Name a film that was a passion project that didn't pan out well

[MATBAN96]

Halloween III Season of the Witch. -

It's clear that Tommy Lee Wallace cared a lot when making this movie. This movie has a very creative premise, and had some decent talent behind it with Wallace, Carpenter, Cundey and many more others contributing to this film.

Unfortunately what we got was a bore fest, with an unlikable and uninteresting main character. This movie has little to no creepy atmosphere, no sense of foreboding dread, and has really bad pacing. It's hard to believe this was edited by the same person who edited the first Halloween.

The melting head scene is great but those entertaining moments are too far and few between.

[Prohibida]

[SteelbookCat]

Guiermerolo Del Toros Haunted Mansion. it was DOA

[An4h0ny]

[The Debts]

I've got an infamous example.

[lesco]

Once Barry Levinson hit it big with Good Morning Vietnam and Rain Man, he was able to make his pet project Toys, nothing like anything else in his output. Even the trailer was unconventional (Robin Williams standing in a field, rambling). I really liked the look of it when I saw it in a cinema - set design, great visual ideas, etc - but from memory it didn't do well.

[Zivouhr]

Screenshot 2025-07-09 183217.jpg

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal was a dream of his, and he made it happen, even though it didn't do very well in theaters and they wanted him to go back to making more Muppets movies. Eventually, he'd create Labyrinth afterwards.

[MATBAN96]

Originally Posted by The Debts

I've got an infamous example.

[Zivouhr]

I saw Battlefield Earth in theaters. It was just okay to not great. I haven't seen it since then. I wonder how it holds up.

[anomaly7]

Horizon, by Kevin Costner. The film didn't do well, which is a shame because I think it's one of the best westerns in recent years.

Part 2 was filmed but has no planned release date, and he discussed making a part 3 & 4 as well, but unfortunately those seem very unlikely at this point.

[cheez avenger]

Sucker Punch & Rebel Moon TC and PG-13 cuts. At least the EE and Rated R versions rectify it all, but the damage was done.

[moreorless]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Attachment 317250

Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal was a dream of his, and he made it happen, even though it didn't do very well in theaters and they wanted him to go back to making more Muppets movies. Eventually, he'd create Labyrinth afterwards.

Not massively successful perhaps but its generally pretty well regarded these days.

[Jay H.]

Megalopolis (it's been mentioned before). I have no personal opinion, as I didn't watch it, but it's very well documented how much it meant to FFC, and how it wasn't well-received by most audience members or critics.

[Shogun MacArthur]

The biggest problem with Halloween III is that they put it in the Halloween franchise. After the first they might've pulled off making it an anthology, but after two movies with Michael Meyers? It wasn't going to be well received no matter what. I still enjoy it as its own thing.

For a passion project that didn't pan out, my pick is North. Rob Reiner wanted to make his personal Wizard of Oz and ended up with a truly bizarre and mean spirited story that is downright uncomfortable to watch.

[MATBAN96]

Originally Posted by Shogun MacArthur

The biggest problem with Halloween III is that they put it in the Halloween franchise. After the first they might've pulled off making it an anthology, but after two movies with Michael Meyers? It wasn't going to be well received no matter what. I still enjoy it as its own thing.

For a passion project that didn't pan out, my pick is North. Rob Reiner wanted to make his personal Wizard of Oz and ended up with a truly bizarre and mean spirited story that is downright uncomfortable to watch.

I'm glad Halloween III has it's fans. Listening to the dvd commentary, it meant a lot to Tommy Lee Wallace to see his movie receive love from fans.

By the way, I like your profile pic. K-On is a great anime, and very relatable.

[spaceball-one]

Scorsese's Silence bombed, but that film is phenomenal.

[An4h0ny]

Originally Posted by spaceball-one

Scorsese's Silence bombed, but that film is phenomenal.

I love that movie so much. The book is fantastic.

One of the best screen adaptations I have seen.

[ctujackbauer]

Originally Posted by Jay H.

Megalopolis (it's been mentioned before). I have no personal opinion, as I didn't watch it, but it's very well documented how much it meant to FFC, and how it wasn't well-received by most audience members or critics.

I saw Megalopolis for free with an Atom Tickets code.

I want my money back. Although it is still wild AF that people can't rent or buy it on digital, or buy it on disc unless you're buying from a few specific European countries.

[Jay H.]

Originally Posted by ctujackbauer

I saw Megalopolis for free with an Atom Tickets code. I want my money back.

Reminds me of my reaction to WW1984. I watched it at home on Max; it was so bad, I almost left my house just so I could say I walked out on it.

[DR Herbert West]