Consider This from NPR Are We Witnessing The Death Of Movie Stars?
Jul 7, 2023
Aisha Harris, the host of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, joins the discussion about the changing role of movie stars in today's franchise-dominated landscape. They reminisce about Hollywood's Golden Age and the iconic stars who once ruled it. The conversation dives into how franchises, especially from Disney and Marvel, have shifted the focus away from individual actors to character branding. They reflect on the impact of this shift on creativity and storytelling, as well as the nostalgia for original films that showcase diverse talents.
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Golden Age Star System
- During Hollywood's Golden Age, studios like MGM manufactured stars, changing their names and looks.
- These stars, like Cary Grant, became known for playing specific character types, drawing audiences based on their established personas.
Superhero Effect
- Some actors, like Anthony Mackie, believe that the rise of superhero films has led to the decline of individual movie stars.
- Mackie argues that the character, such as The Falcon, becomes the star, not the actor.
Franchise vs. Star Power
- Aisha Harris suggests that franchise films make it difficult to distinguish an actor's star power from the franchise's popularity.
- She questions whether actors like Tom Cruise draw audiences or if the franchise itself is the main attraction.