Getty 2009-09-08 13:00:00

Say What? Spike Jonze's New Film Is Like a Baby Girl

September 8, 2009

by POPSUGAR Sex & Culture 8

"It's like the studio was expecting a boy, and I gave birth to a girl. And now they're learning to love and accept their daughter."

— Director Spike Jonze on his struggles with Warner Brothers, who wanted his adaptation of the Maurice Sendak children's classic Where the Wild Things Are to be more like Shrek and Madagascar than an avant-garde film. Jonze, however, wanted to stay true to the original book and to make a film that didn't talk down to children. What do you think of his arresting analogy?

Movies Gender Quotes Spike Jonze Culture Where The Wild Things Are Say What

8 Comments

MissSushi 3 years 36 weeks

I was kind of surprised at the wtwta trailer, but not becuase i expected it to be like shrek.. It would totally tank as something like shrek, it doesn't fit at ALL. You can't even really swing things or change things, without making it a totally different book/concept. The Velveteen Rabbit as a horror film... I just was shocked at how well the serious and strangeness and everything from the book translated. I loved wtwta, but it was always a strange feeling for me. I dont know how to explain it.

MissSushi 3 years 36 weeks

I was kind of surprised at the wtwta trailer, but not becuase i expected it to be like shrek.. It would totally tank as something like shrek, it doesn't fit at ALL. You can't even really swing things or change things, without making it a totally different book/concept. The Velveteen Rabbit as a horror film... I just was shocked at how well the serious and strangeness and everything from the book translated. I loved wtwta, but it was always a strange feeling for me. I dont know how to explain it.

starlotus713 3 years 36 weeks

I agree - Shrek is cute and all but kind of annoying if you're over a certain age (like, say, 18 years). The first generation to grow up with that book are in their 20s and 30s now and that sort of style wouldn't appeal to them. I say if the kids growing up now want a Shrek-like WTWTA then in 20 years they can make it themselves as adults.

weffie 3 years 36 weeks

thank god for spike jonze, if they turned our beloved wild things into shrek people would be sooo pissed :)

J Rabbit 3 years 36 weeks

great quote!

omigosh 3 years 36 weeks

umm yeah that's why it's a metaphor

J Rabbit 3 years 36 weeks

great quote!

mamasitamalita 3 years 36 weeks

I don't think this is a boy vs girl thing.... you had one expectation so concrete in your mind that when its something different it just takes you awhile to embrace it