In the world of cinema, some stories are forgotten, buried beneath the weight of scandal and misfortune. Such is the case with "The Current War," a historical drama that, despite its impressive cast and intriguing premise, failed to find its place in the spotlight.
This film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017, tells the story of a lesser-known battle—the rivalry between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse over the future of electricity. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Holland, both now household names thanks to their roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leading the cast, one might expect a blockbuster hit. But the path of "The Current War" was anything but smooth.
The Rise and Fall of a Film
"The Current War" began its journey at The Weinstein Company, a powerhouse in Hollywood at the time. However, the film's release date was abruptly dropped following the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which prompted the #MeToo movement and sent shockwaves through the industry. The movie, originally scheduled for a December 2017 release, became entangled in the drama surrounding Weinstein's horrific crimes.
Director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon found himself in a difficult position. He knew the film wasn't ready for its TIFF premiere, yet he was drowning in notes and demands from Weinstein and his team. The mix, ADR, and sound were rushed, and Gomez-Rejon felt like a casualty, a footnote in the film's history.
A Second Chance
After being shelved amidst the fallout from the Weinstein scandal, "The Current War" was given a second chance. In 2019, it was released as "The Current War: Director's Cut," a version that more closely resembled Gomez-Rejon's original vision. This time, the film had a clause in its contract, known as the "Scorsese clause," which required producer Martin Scorsese's consent if any changes were to be made without the director's approval. This clause, discovered by Gomez-Rejon's agents and a team of lawyers, ensured that the director's vision would be respected.
Despite this creative success, the film struggled at the box office. It was buried by a slew of other releases and failed to make a significant impact, finishing its run with a meager $12.2 million worldwide on a reported $30 million budget.
A Tale of What Could Have Been
What makes this story particularly fascinating is the contrast between "The Current War" and the Marvel films that Cumberbatch and Holland were a part of around the same time. While "The Current War" slipped through the cracks, "Avengers: Endgame" took the MCU to unprecedented heights, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time (until "Avatar" took back the title).
Personally, I think this contrast highlights the fickle nature of the film industry. A film's success is not solely determined by its quality or star power, but also by a myriad of factors, including timing, marketing, and, sadly, the scandals that can engulf its production.
"The Current War" is a reminder that even with talented actors and an intriguing story, a film can still fall victim to circumstances beyond its control. It's a tale of what could have been, and a cautionary tale about the impact of scandal on art.
