How Fox Destroyed Mike Judge's Idiocracy, and Why It's a Travesty

Written by Matthew Swigonski | Published 18 seconds ago

From King of the Hill to Office LocationMike Judge is an expert at creating iconic comedies that find unusual moments in the life of an ordinary person and turn them into engaging storylines with funny punchlines. With IdiocracyJudge also explored the trials and tribulations of the average Joe and created the greatest sci-fi comedy of the 2000s. Despite the high power of Idiocracy to become a box office-hit, 20th Century Fox decided to ignore the film before it even had a chance, and the reasons for its decision may … not really surprise you: the American company wanted the film to fail.

Who is Mike Judge?

In 1993, Jaji got his first big break with the release of Beavis and Butt-Head, is an animated show about two teenage boys who aren't exactly the cream of the crop, but for some reason, they always seem to find themselves in the middle of trouble.

Although the program did not reveal anything too sinister, it became a source of controversy, especially among vigilante groups, Beavis and Butt-Head its reputation against the culture and implementation of the work of the Judge. Almost 10 years after the release of Beavis and Butt-HeadJudge also set his sights on a project that laughed in the face of pop culture and aimed to criticize how stupid people have become and the future we may be looking forward to.

Idiocracy follows the story of Joe (Luke Wilson) and Rita (Maya Rudolph), two middle-class people who take part in an experimental military project to be frozen for a long time. However, after the pair move into their dorms, the project's funding is withdrawn, and they are left alone until they wake up 500 years later in a world very different from the one they remember, filled with conflicted people and struggling intellectuals. understanding even the most basic concepts. With a brilliant script, an excellent Judge, and a major film studio backing, Idiocracy they seem ready to make an interesting play; there was just one big problem.

The Studio Refused to Market Idiocracy

In March 2005, Idiocracy it was screened for test audiences, and the reaction was so bad that 20th Century Fox ordered a wave of remakes that would push the film's release date back forever. By April 2006, Judge and the Fox team felt comfortable enough with the film to announce a September 2006 release. But when September rolled around, Idiocracy he was given a cold shoulder from the marketing department, which did not receive a single movie trailer or television commercial before a limited release in only 130 movie theaters nationwide.

It was never given a fighting chance in theaters

Although it was not reviewed by critics before its release, Idiocracy we've seen excellent reviews, resulting in a 71 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. But those positive reviews had little effect on it Idiocracywhich ended its theatrical run grossing less than $500,000 at the worldwide box office. The film's limited release and poor box office performance baffled critics, who reflected that Idiocracy he may have laughed out loud in the face of pop culture.

Corporate America Fights Idiocracy

Throughout the film, corporate America is portrayed as the main competitor and the main cause of the anti-intellectual culture that has affected the country. President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Camacho, played by Terry Crews, is a wrestler and sex star who gives loud and stupid speeches while addressing the nation, while armed with guns.

In an interview with GQ in 2018, Crews admitted that real advertisers put money into the film thinking they would get a good picture but were shocked when they realized that. Idiocracy he criticized them and accused the companies of misleading America, causing Fox to change the film.

In a more interactive way, the Judge pointed to the film's negative reviews as the reason Idiocracy never fully released, it also reveals that Fox believed the film would eventually become a cult classic with audiences, which proved to be a hit on the nose. 20 years after its release, Idiocracy it is often closely watched to see how politics will eventually turn into the media circus it has started to become. Anyone in the mood for a demolition derby?