The secret is out. Bezos’ Amazon Studios just doesn’t know what to do with their A-list shows. For a long time, Jeff Bezos has dreamt of owning a legendary show much like Game of Thrones. But to no avail, Amazon Studios launched Citadel very recently, which was such an ambitious project. And even before that, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was supposed to change the tide for the company. Now, there’s just confusion and relent wherever you see Amazon news. So what’s up with Bezos’ Amazon Studios and why can’t they find the great Amazon Prime series that defines them?
Amazon News: Big Swings Miss
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was supposed to be the greatest thing to happen to Salke-led Amazon Studios. When it opened up last September, its impact was so huge, Salke called it “a very culturally defining moment.” But her bubble burst quickly. While the show was great, it was in no way, remarkable. The same fate met The Wheel of Time in November 2021. These fantasy adaptations with big budgets lack big applause.
Inside Amazon headquarters, things are a bit weary. Showrunners are confused about Salke and Amazon’s vision and it looks like just about anything can fly as the best show. But is this the right approach? How will Amazon find its own Breaking Bad if they’re not even pointed in a direction?
“There’s no vision for what an Amazon Prime show is. You can’t say, ‘They stand for this kind of storytelling.’ It’s completely random what they make and how they make it.” These are the words of a showrunner working with Amazon. Surprise surprise! Amazon is still struggling. It’s certainly a bit upsetting when insiders themselves are confused about a streamer’s future.
“I have never been one to say ‘We need five action franchise shows and three workplace situation comedies.’ That’s the kiss of death,” she says. “You don’t reverse-engineer true creative vision. We are programming for over 250 million households across the entire globe.”
Perhaps Salke has a vision no one can quite see yet. Perhaps that was why she invested heavily in Air (2023). It’s a Nike movie that tells the legacy of the shoes starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Affleck claims that his deal with Salke was genuine, and she was pretty on the point about everything. He mentioned how Salke was “straightforward, and true to her word.” She “always had thoughtful ideas and notes,” and. “We took almost all of them.” said Affleck who is a big part of the new Air movie.
Some call the investment crazy since Salke bought it rather quickly, investing about $160 million. This better be a worthy investment for the Amazon Studios lead but that’ll take some time to find out. Meanwhile, you can totally binge on Matt I Jones movies and TV shows to kill time.
FAQ
Question: “What is the point of Amazon Studios?
Answer: Amazon Studios is where the streamers’ projects are planned and executed. Studios are also responsible for distribution.
Question: Where does Amazon Studios film?
Answer: Amazon Studios may film in multiple locations, given the nature of the project. But also, Culver City, California. That’s some new Amazon news for you.
Question: Is Amazon Studios the same as Amazon Prime?
Answer: Not necessarily, while Amazon Studios majorly contributes to Amazon Prime Video they are not both the same. Studios can also invest in other options.
Question: How much does Amazon pay for a script?
Answer: Depending on the script and author, Amazon can pay anywhere between a couple thousand to over a million.
Question: Where did Ben Affleck and Matt Damon grow up?
Answer: The great state of Massachusetts! The two grew up in Cambridge as best friends for life. Isn’t that just adorable?
Question: Are Ben Affleck and Matt Damon still friends?
Answer: Yes, Affleck and Damon are, in fact, great friends.
