Ridley Scott blames his film flop on millennials using ‘f**king cellphones’

Scott was speaking on comedian Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast

Director Ridley Scott has said he believes millennials spending time on their “f**king cellphones” is the reason why his latest film has flopped at the box office.

The Last Duel, a historical drama released earlier this month has made just $27 million worldwide when it cost around $100 million to make.

Talking on Marc Maron’s popular WTF Podcast, the Gladiator director explained that he believes the demographic are no longer accustomed to the big screen experience.

“I think what it boils down to — what we’ve got today [are] the audiences who were brought up on these fucking cellphones,” Scott said.

“The millennian [sic] do not ever want to be taught anything unless you’re told it on a cellphone.”

“This is a broad stroke, but I think we’re dealing with it right now with Facebook,” he added. “This is a misdirection that has happened where it’s given the wrong kind of confidence to this latest generation, I think.”

During the same conversation Scott also said he has “never had one regret” about a project he’s made. “Walk away. Make sure you’re happy. And don’t look back. That’s me,” he said.

He justified the movie creatively, saying “we all thought it was a terrific script. And we made it. You can’t win all the time.”

The Last Duel stars Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Adam Driver and Ben Affleck. It tells the story of two knights in medieval France who challenge each other to a historic duel.

Despite the lukewarm box office takings, the film has received a largely good reception from fans and critics. It is ‘Certified Fresh’ on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with a positive critic’s rating of 85 per cent.

Scott also directed another of this autumn’s biggest releases – the biographical crime drama House of Gucci, also starring Adam Driver alongside Lady Gaga.

Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, a young woman who marries into the prestigious Gucci family and fights to control the brand.

Related links: 

• A Gladiator sequel is coming, with Ridley Scott directing
• Sean Bean talks to JOE about his cushy role in new Ridley Scott film
• House of Gucci memes prove the internet remains undefeated