Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Clint Eastwood really did a number on his audience withMillion Dollar Baby.The sports drama is unforgettable in more ways than one, especially thanks to the gut-wrenching ending where his character, Frankie, puts daughter-like Maggie to rest for good, despite his fatherly affection for her. As he injects a fatal injection into her, the audience’s happiness dies along with Maggie. Honestly, there is just something about Clint Eastwood when it comes to creating movies.
Despite his proven record and a ground-shattering idea, Warner Bros. was just not interested in financing a boxing movie. When they finally agreed, most of their interest was in other films including Tom Hanks’Polar Express.Clint Eastwood soon realized that it was up to him and his team to determineMillion Dollar Baby’s fate.
Clint Eastwood’sMillion Dollar Babyand Warner Bros.
Clint Eastwoodwas on good terms with Warner Bros. when he pitchedMillion Dollar Babyto them. Still, the studio didn’t deem it worth their while and money to back a film about boxing. Eastwood had to come up with something as soon as possible.
He finally got Lakeshore Entertainment to finance half the film, and WB agreed to finance the remaining. Despite two large production companies behind his film, he had much less financial backing as compared toTom Hanks‘Polar ExpressandRobert Zemeckis‘Alexander,both of which had a budget upward of $150 million. Eastwood’s film on the other hand had a minimal budget of $30 million.
Hilary Swank’s Movie Made Clint Eastwood End His Acting Retirement- What Was So Special About Million Dollar Baby?
Talking to criticRoger Ebert, Eastwood stated that he didn’t care about publicity when it came toMillion Dollar Baby,he simply only wanted to make the film. Talking about the budget, he stated that since his film couldn’t compare with the other two, he knew his film would have to live and die on its own terms.
I just wanted to make it. I don’t want publicists hanging about. We stayed under the radar. With all the big $150, $200 million films out there, they thought this film was at a different importance level. I had about $25 million to make it with. They had their ‘Alexanders’ and ‘Polar Expresses’ they were working on, and I figured my movie was going to have to live or die on its own terms.
Luckily, the film lived. WB would soon realize that they were overlooking a diamond while they focused on the gold.
Warner Bros. Stood Corrected
Since the film had a low budget, the studio’s interference was way too minimal. Meaning, that Eastwood and his team were free to do as they wished with the project. When they finally showed the finished product to WB, it was almost like their eyeballs turned into green dollar signs.
“It only comes out when you mic him up”: Morgan Freeman Revealed a Startling Secret About Clint Eastwood That Will Convince You He Was Born to Play Batman
The man responsible for the distribution of the film was filled with enthusiasm almost instantly and came up with ways to market it to the world. However, Eastwood declined his offer and decided to let his work speak for himself.
He told Ebert,
We went and made it, they didn’t know anything about it, and after we showed it to them, they said, ‘Jesus, it’s not too bad.’ Some people in the organization started getting enthusiastic. Eddie Feldman, the distribution guy, says, ‘How shall we open it?’ ‘Why don’t we just put it out sometime after Thanksgiving,’ I said. He said we had to mount a campaign. ‘No mounting a campaign, no mounting anything,’ I said. ‘Just see where it goes.’
When the film was released, it was welcomed with open arms by both critics and fans. It went on to make over $230 million at the box office and received a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 90%.Million Dollar Babywas also heavily decorated at the 2005 Academy Awards as it won 4 out of the 7 it was nominated for. This included one for Eastwood’s direction andHilary Swankfor Best Actress.Morgan Freemanalso lifted the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
Million Dollar Babyis available to rent/buy from Prime Video.
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2257
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you’re able to find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’
More from Mishkaat Khan
10 Actors You Didn’t Know Were in Smallville: From Dave Bautista to Cobie Smulders
Jamie Lee Curtis Said She Is “Gonna Marry That Guy” When She Saw Christopher Guest on a Magazine
The John Wick Movie With Highest Kills Explodes on Streaming: Every Movie Ranked by Its Deaths
Recommended
New ‘Harry Potter’ BTS Image Reveals Nick Frost’s Shockingly Perfect Look as Hagrid
Upload Season 4: How Many Episodes Will the Final Season Have?
Japan’s 10 Most-Watched Anime of 2025: Naruto Not Even in Top 5
18 Years Later, 47%-rated Mark Wahlberg Action Blockbuster Is Still Conquering Streaming
Ne Zha Ending Explained: How The Major Deaths Set Up Ne Zha 2?
When Is Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black: Season 2 Releasing?
Clint EastwoodHilary SwankMillion Dollar BabyMorgan FreemanRobert ZemeckisTom Hanks
