Academy Award winner Cord Jefferson’s recent Oscar acceptance speech has been the talk of the town, and Gwyneth Paltrow was the latest guest to share her thoughts on it during her appearance on the popular YouTube series, “Hot Ones.” Host Sean Evans asked the actress and entrepreneur about Jefferson’s plea to Hollywood to invest in more independent films instead of big-budget blockbusters. In response, Paltrow shared her perspective on the issue, particularly in the context of the proliferation of superhero movies in recent years. She discussed the importance of balancing big-budget films with smaller, more intimate productions, and how this dynamic can benefit the film industry as a whole. Jefferson, who won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “The Good Lord Bird” at this year’s Oscars, had suggested that instead of making one $200 million movie, Hollywood should try making 20 $10 million movies to give more opportunities to independent filmmakers and actors.
In response to a comment, Gwyneth Paltrow expressed her understanding of the concerns related to profitability in the movie industry. She acknowledged that people invest a lot of money in these productions and want to see a strong ROI. However, upon examining the industry as a whole, she questioned the over-reliance on superhero movies and the need to appeal to the masses. In her view, a saturation of the market with superhero movies could result in a lack of originality and creativity, and hinder the ability to deliver a unique and specific point of view. Therefore, she suggested that movie makers should focus on quality and originality rather than just trying to reach as many people as possible.
She had grown up working on mid-budget movies, and they were reflecting on how the film industry has changed over the years. She expressed some regret that some of the movies they had made in the 1990s would not be made today. The reason for this, they believed, was that the current industry places a lot of money and stake in their movies, which can sometimes limit creativity and diversity of art. She further explained that when there is less at stake, filmmakers can express their true voice and create films that are more resonant with audiences.
Gwyneth Paltrow is a renowned Hollywood actress who gained immense popularity in the 1990s for her remarkable performances in several Miramax films such as “The Talented Mr. Ripley” and her Oscar-winning role in “Shakespeare in Love.” However, she is widely recognized for her portrayal of Pepper Potts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become an integral part of her career. Paltrow made her entry into the MCU alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the 2008 blockbuster hit “Iron Man” as Tony Stark’s personal assistant, and her character evolved with each subsequent movie. She reprised the role of Pepper Potts in two more standalone “Iron Man” movies and featured in other Marvel movies, including “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Avengers: Endgame,” where she played a vital role.
In 2019’s “Endgame,” Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. made their last appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is notably known for featuring the death of Downey’s character, Iron Man. During a Q&A session with her fans on Instagram last year, Paltrow expressed her belief that her time with Marvel was probably over because, in her opinion, “why do you need Pepper Potts without Iron Man?” Paltrow’s statement suggests that her character’s storyline may be difficult to continue without the presence of Downey’s beloved character. If you’re interested in watching the full appearance of Paltrow on “Hot Ones,” you can check out the video below.