D.J. Gugenheim was one of a handful of The Brutalist producers recognized by the Academy to be a nominee in the Best Picture category after the org went through a rigorous determination process.
Catching up with him on the red carpet tonight, we asked him about Brady Corbet, and his remarks how he made “zero dollars” on his 10x Oscar nominated three-hour-plus-intermission epic.
Answered Gugenheim, The truth of the matter, is that it takes so many years to make these films.”
“When you’re making an independent film, there’s only so money you can pay to make it; you ultimately do invest your money, your own life resources to get it made and it’s challenging.”
Per Deadline’s exclusive report, we learned Corbet deferred his directing fee. Hence his comments on the WTF Marc Maron podcast. However, with The Brutalist at a $41.3M worldwide gross, it’s set to profit. And Corbet is part of the back-end deal, we learned, benefiting from such awards season terms where a filmmaker notches a bonus when his or her film nabs key noms during awards season.
In regards to the whole hoopla of the use of AI in the production to brush up the Hungarian accents of its actors, Gugenheim defended, “We’re trusting the actors and the creatives and the talent to make a film. So, if no one is losing a job, and you’re making the best version of the product, that’s when you’re using a tool.” The producer also mentioned that the editor didn’t hide the fact of AI used during production.
“The problem I think with AI is when we take away a job,” he added.
Added Gugenheim, “The Academy is now asking if AI is being used, I say that’s great. There’s no problem with that and you shouldn’t use AI to take away from a job, for sure.”