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Vince Vaughn’s take on the decline of R-rated comedies
Hollywood’s cautious approach to comedy
Vince Vaughn, a name synonymous with iconic comedies like Swingers, Old School, and Wedding Crashers, recently shared his thoughts on the current state of R-rated comedies. During an appearance on “Hot Ones,” Vaughn expressed his concerns about Hollywood’s reluctance to finance the kind of raunchy, boundary-pushing films that once defined his career.
Overthinking the formula
Vaughn believes that Hollywood executives are overcomplicating the process. “They just overthink it,” he remarked. He likened the situation to a geometry problem where a slight miscalculation can throw off all the answers. ”If you did geometry, and you said 87 degrees was a right angle, then all your answers are messed up, instead of 90 degrees,” he explained. This analogy highlights how minor deviations from tried-and-true formulas can lead to significant missteps in filmmaking.
The obsession with intellectual property
One of Vaughn’s main criticisms is Hollywood’s fixation on intellectual property (IP). He cited the 2012 film Battleship, based on the classic board game, as an example of this trend. ”They would say something like, ‘You have to have an IP,'” Vaughn noted. He contrasted this with the more organic inspirations of earlier comedies, which often drew from shared life experiences like turning 16 or cutting school.
Playing it safe
Vaughn also pointed out that many decision-makers in Hollywood are more concerned with job security than with creating groundbreaking content. “The people in charge don’t want to get fired more so than they’re looking to do something great,” he said. This risk-averse mentality leads to a reliance on established IPs, even if the resulting films are lackluster. “As long as they follow them, they’re not going to lose their job because they can say, ‘Well, look, I made a movie off the board game Payday so even though the movie didn’t work, you can’t let me go, right?'”
A hopeful outlook
Despite his criticisms, Vaughn remains optimistic about the future of R-rated comedies. ”People want to laugh, people want to look at stuff that feels a little bit like it’s, you know, dangerous or pushing the envelope,” he said. He believes that audiences’ appetite for edgy humor will eventually lead to a resurgence of the genre. “I think you’re going to see more of it in the film space sooner than later, would be my guess.”
Watch the full interview
For those interested in hearing more of Vaughn’s insights, you can watch the full interview on “Hot Ones”.
Personal reflections
As a long-time fan of Vaughn’s work, I find his perspective both insightful and refreshing. The decline of R-rated comedies has been noticeable, and it’s reassuring to hear someone from within the industry articulate the reasons behind it. Vaughn’s optimism about the genre’s future is particularly encouraging. After all, who doesn’t miss the days of laughing uncontrollably at the antics of characters who felt real and relatable?
The broader context
The shift away from R-rated comedies is part of a larger trend in Hollywood. Studios are increasingly focused on big-budget franchises and superhero films, which are seen as safer bets. While these movies certainly have their place, it’s important to remember the value of smaller, more personal films. Comedies, in particular, have a unique ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.
The role of streaming platforms
One potential avenue for the revival of R-rated comedies is streaming platforms. With their vast libraries and diverse audiences, services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime have the flexibility to take risks that traditional studios might avoid. We’ve already seen some success in this area with shows like The Boys and Fleabag, which push boundaries and explore mature themes.
Final thoughts
the future of R-rated comedies will depend on both the willingness of creators to take risks and the openness of audiences to embrace new and daring content. As Vaughn aptly put it, “People want to laugh.” And as long as that remains true, there’s hope for the return of the kind of comedies that made us fall in love with the genre in the first place.
For more on Vince Vaughn’s thoughts and to dive deeper into the world of comedy, check out the full interview on “Hot Ones”.
