Get ready for a tale of deception and cinematic magic! The story of how a fake trailer led to a real directorial debut is a wild ride.
In the world of showbiz, sometimes you've got to bend the truth to get your foot in the door. For aspiring filmmakers, it's a game of make-believe that can pay off big time. Take the case of Jon Watts, the now-famous director of MCU's Spider-Man trilogy. Back in 2010, he and his co-writer, Christopher D. Ford, crafted a clever ruse: a fake trailer for a horror movie called 'Clown'. But here's where it gets controversial... they pretended it was directed by Eli Roth, a master of horror!
Luckily for Watts and Ford, Roth didn't take legal action. Instead, he was intrigued and wanted to know more. He asked if they had a full script, and despite not having one, they boldly lied, saying they were ready to go. And so, the adventure began.
Watts and Ford quickly wrote a script centered on a regular guy, Kent McCoy, who finds himself in a terrifying situation. As they developed the story, they realized the potential for a whole universe of clown-themed horror. But the road to success was far from easy.
Despite Roth's initial interest, the film faced challenges. The Weinstein brothers' company, Dimension Films, acquired the rights but didn't give it the push it deserved. Watts recalls a preview screening where Bob Weinstein was horrified, walking out without a word.
"I often wonder what could've been," Watts says. "We had a grand plan for a seven-part epic. It's all mapped out, waiting for the right time."
And this is the part most people miss: Watts' fake trailer strategy wasn't a one-time thing. He used it again to land the Spider-Man gig!
So, what do you think? Is this a clever way to get noticed, or does it cross an ethical line? Could Watts' success inspire a new trend in Hollywood? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
