Part 9/13:
The decline of risk-taking comedy parallels the broader cultural shift away from challenging narratives, giving rise to safe, formulaic entertainment that often feels disconnected from truth or real human experience.
The Collapse of Originality and the IP Mining Economy
The industry’s fixation on established IPs—sequels, prequels, and reboots—serves as a symptom of deeper problems:
Outsourcing Creativity: Studios prefer known brands because they offer a "cynical profit model"—strip-mining loyal fanbases with minimal risk.
Cost vs. Profitability: High-budget films require massive returns; mid-budget, original films are increasingly rare but more profitable per dollar spent.