Dakota Johnson Rips Hollywood’s Remake Obsession

Here we go again, another A-lister pointing out that Hollywood’s conveyor belt of remakes is about as fresh as week-old sushi. In a recent sit-down, Dakota Johnson didn’t hold back, flat-out branding Tinseltown “a mess” and ridiculing studios for recycling the same tired scripts while real creativity collects dust. She’s not just whining for the sake of headlines—Johnson has the receipts.

During an interview with Variety at a Los Angeles press event, Johnson lamented that “everything feels like déjà vu,” accusing major players of dialing down risk and cranking up sequels, prequels and reboots instead of backing original voices. Variety quotes her sharply: “Why chase box-office safety nets when fresh stories deserve a shot?” She also pointed to streaming giants fueling the frenzy, cobbling together franchises instead of green-lighting undiscovered screenwriters.

Johnson’s cynicism lines up with what The Hollywood Reporter exposed last month: more than half of 2023’s theatrical releases were rehashes or IP-driven follow-ups. Disney alone announced remakes of half a dozen 1990s hits, while Universal and Paramount keep mining their vaults for “new” content. People Magazine even noted studio execs privately admit they’re risk-averse, betting on familiar titles as ticket-selling insurance policies.

Further fueling Johnson’s tirade is the widening gap between blockbuster flags and indie gems. As she told Variety, “If you want real heart, you’re hunting festival lineups, not multiplex marquees.” She’s not wrong: Cannes and Sundance are bursting with fresh voices, yet budgets for untested projects are drying up faster than popcorn in a drought. Deadline recently reported that less than 10% of mid-budget films received theatrical distribution last year, reflecting studios’ all-in on safe bets.

And let’s not forget Johnson’s own career choices. After starring in original hits like “Suspiria” and streaming successes such as “Persuasion,” she’s found herself cycled back into franchise chatter. Her frustration is relatable: you work hard to carve out range, then Hollywood waves the “brand recognition” flag and your career becomes a board game of remastered properties.

So what’s the takeaway? Dakota Johnson isn’t simply whining on a whim—she’s spotlighting a much-needed wake-up call for an industry that’s lost its nerve. Studios can count on nostalgia dollars, but audiences—especially younger ones—are craving something uncharted. And if executives ignore that, even the biggest franchises will eventually sour.

And that’s today’s dose of reality. You’re welcome.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People Magazine, New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed