Working Title Executives Reflect on Shifting Genres with ‘The Substance’

“The Brutalist” has stirred considerable excitement since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, propelling director Brady Corbet into the forefront of potential Oscar nominees for best director. What many may find surprising is that Corbet was once the teenage star of “Thunderbirds” two decades ago.

This intriguing piece of film history surfaced during a rare public discussion at the BFI London Film Festival, where Working Title co-founders Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner spoke candidly.

Despite being the U.K.’s most recognized and successful production company, with over 150 films that have collectively won more than 300 prestigious awards, they were invited to reflect on their setbacks and what they learned from them.

One film that came up in their conversation was “Thunderbirds,” which was adapted from a classic sci-fi television series. Unfortunately, it underperformed at the box office, generating only $28 million against a $57 million budget. Fellner explained that the film’s downfall stemmed from trying to appeal to two distinct markets simultaneously, suggesting they should have concentrated on either the U.K. or the U.S.

However, Bevan pointed out that “Thunderbirds” wasn’t their least successful film. That distinction belongs to their inaugural project with Universal, Sally Potter’s 2000 movie “The Man Who Cried.” Despite featuring a star-studded cast that included Cate Blanchett and Johnny Depp, it garnered only $1.8 million in revenue.

Fellner shared his perspective on failure, stating, “Sadly, failure is part of the process of life.” He urged creators not to linger on past failures or bask in previous achievements, but instead to keep moving forward and continue their artistic endeavors.

The experiences gained from their failures have highlighted the importance of not overthinking, as it can hinder creativity. We’re not brilliant,” Fellner remarked. “We’re just striving to create. We keep going back to the table, and every now and then, we succeed.”

Working Title’s legacy includes a wealth of successful romantic comedies crafted with Richard Curtis in the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as beloved franchises like “Johnny English” and “Bridget Jones.”

Bevan credited their early achievements to the strong partnerships they developed with figures such as Curtis, “Mr. Bean” creator Rowan Atkinson, and “Bridget Jones” author Helen Fielding.

Their latest ventures, including their inaugural project with Steve McQueen, “Blitz,” showcased a fresh approach with the body horror film “The Substance.” Though horror has not been their usual genre, Fellner emphasized their willingness to explore diverse narratives, stating they are “genre neutral but director positive.”

They became aware of Coralie Fargeat’s potential after seeing her first feature, “Revenge,” which prompted Fellner to travel to Paris multiple times to convince her team to collaborate on “The Substance.” While he did not fully anticipate the film’s intensity, he acknowledged that the compelling script was a serious attraction.

“The Substance” has turned out to be a considerable success, particularly for a graphic, R-rated film that might not cater to everyone’s tastes. It has achieved the status of Mubi’s most successful release, accumulating nearly $12 million domestically and over $24 million globally.

For Bevan and Fellner, experienced players in a perpetually shifting industry, “The Substance” illustrates the opportunities available within independent filmmaking. They noted that there is a thriving space for creative filmmakers working within a budget of less than $15 million.

Fellner concluded that the success of this film has inspired them to focus on producing more projects within this budget range, aiming to create bold narratives that resonate with audiences and inspire them to share their experiences, driving people back to theaters.