We think Scott Mendelson probably meant well. But man oh man did he step in it on Tuesday!
The film writer for Forbes wrote an article with the headline “‘Black Panther’ Has Become Hollywood’s Worst Nightmare: An Event Movie That Hurts Or Kills Other Event Movies….” and folks had some thoughts.
The basic premise was that Black Panther is so successful, it’s ruining all the other movies coming out after it that should be big hits. He mentions Red Sparrow, A Wrinkle In Time, and Tomb Raider by name. You know, that big event film, Red Sparrow.
Video: Black Panther Returns In The Final Avengers: Infinity War Trailer
The whole thing pretty much makes no sense — no one is being held hostage and told to see BP for the third time. If anything, it’s keeping people going to the movies during a season that otherwise would be a disastrous Hollywood drought!
Black Twitter couldn’t help but wonder what it was about this particular blockbuster that would inspire such a hot take…
See some of the strongest responses (below)!
The article’s title is so off-putting. Writing that it “hurts” or “kills” other event movies… ├░┼╕╦£┬▓ Do better. This sounds racist.
— myentriri (@myentriri) March 20, 2018
I’m trying to recall when the press said movies like Star Wars, Avatar and Harry Potter were considered Hollywood’s worst nightmare for being so popular. But a Black film brings in $1 billion and it’s a nightmare.
— Jenee Darden (@CocoaFly) March 20, 2018
It’s start to shatter long racist myths in Hollywood showing that our stories can be told on a global blockbuster scale, so you turn around and say it’s a nightmare for Hollywood box office. this is trash.
— Benjamin Dobbs (@Frank6Bf) March 20, 2018
I was on the fence about seeing it again this weekend, but this article just inspired me to do so. 🙅🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/Avf83JevM0
— Dre God 👽🛸 (@Y2Dre_) March 20, 2018
Wow, that headline is incredibly offensive. And the article it isn’t much better. The problem isn’t that Black Panther is “stealing” box office from other tentpoles. The problem is those other films weren’t good. Jedi, Showman and Jumanji all succeeded because they were all good.
— Lisa Bee (@leebee4life) March 20, 2018
Your headline is very skewed. It calls the success of the film a “nightmare.” Not, “here’s a heads up for studios” or “here’s something to consider.” It’s a “nightmare.” And I realize that headlines have to be attention-grabbing, but that’s really taking it too far imo.
— Lisa Bee (@leebee4life) March 20, 2018
That audiences continue to favour a picture such as this instead of more, in broad terms, of the same should be celebrated.
What’s the meaning behind it’s now too successful?
— Proxima Black 🙅🏽‍♀️ (@SLovesAutumn) March 20, 2018
But what it is is a bad look. So go sit in a corner and think about why instead of trying to defend it. Take the L (now that you know what that means) and try to think about why you hit a nerve.
You’re a writer. You should know words mean things and framing matters.
— I said what I said. (@stopthatgirl7) March 20, 2018
In Mendelson’s defense, he did engage quite a bit with the criticism, mostly defending himself by linking to previous articles which seemed to show it wasn’t a bias against Black Panther at all:
I write a lot, but this might be more in tune with said thoughts… https://t.co/WrxXLsTpM2
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) March 20, 2018
https://t.co/1NqTtnxEuzhttps://t.co/om4teUpeZdhttps://t.co/1iDkDb0fsX
I write a lot…
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) March 21, 2018
So maybe it is just his odd view of Hollywood that massive hits are bad?
He did, however, agree to change the headline…
[Image via Forbes/Disney/Marvel.]
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