Trashing your recent work is becoming something of a new trend in Hollywood, the latest culprit being “The Wolfman” and “Jurassic Park 3” director Joe Johnston.

Speaking about his latest movie “Captain America: The First Avenger”, Johnston let slip that he abhorred his time on “The Wolfman”, and essentially that he felt the film was subpar. I would actually argue with Mr. Johnston on that count (I enjoyed the retread, and it now has a better Director’s Cut version on Blu-Ray), but most of the online community wouldn’t, and I’m sure given its weak box-office performance neither would Universal studios. Johnston spoke with CBM (www. comicbookmovie.com) on the subject, saying

“I had three weeks of prep on Wolfman, a ridiculously inadequate amount of time to try to bring together the fractured and scattered pieces of the production. I had taken the job mostly because I had a cash flow problem, the only time in my career I’ve ever let finances enter into the decision process. Money is always the wrong reason for doing something that requires passionate devotion.

The production was a leaky, rudderless ship in a perfect storm suffering from bad decisions, infighting, reluctance of the powers-that-be to take responsibility, and too many under-qualified cooks in the kitchen. The good news and bad news about directing is that when the picture works you’re showered with all the credit and when it doesn’t work you’re dumped on with all the blame. Both scenarios are undeserved. I take full responsibility for The Wolfman not working because it goes with the territory.”

Well at least he’s manned up and accepted the blame. This news breaks mere weeks after Sam Worthington admitted that 2010’s “Clash of the Titans” remake wasn’t good enough, and it’s only been a few months since Mark Wahlberg bulked up the courage to state what everyone already knew, that “The Happening” was nothing short of a ridiculous disaster.  So is this newfound honesty a trait people want to see more of in Hollywood, or is it in many ways just an easy and disloyal way to be atoned for your past mistakes. I appreciate that these artists are admitting their work hasn’t in the past been of a high standard, but isn’t it also a harsh blow to deal those who were involved with you on said atrocities. After all, I’ve always assumed making a movie was a team game, and by coming out and slandering the product in order to save your own rear, well, you’re kind of crapping all over that principal. One also wonders had “The Wolfman” fluked its way to megabucks, would Johnston be apologizing right now? I doubt it. After all for my money Johnston has made lesser movies (“Jurassic Park 3” anyone?) but because that inferior sequel did solid business there’s no urgent need to say sorry. If you think about it there’s actually a stronger need, because MORE people PAID to sit through “Jurassic Park 3”.  Obviously the intention of this rather toxically worded plea for forgiveness was to cultivate a sense of excusal from the public, but to me it’s just another hypocritical example of the Hollywood machine. Oh, and did I mention he’s got a new film out this summer? It’s this little picture about a superhero or something, so I doubt “The Wolfman” would have been much of an elephant in the room, after all this new flick is only a small film with very little financial potential and no careers riding on it. So his self-loathing rant probably wasn’t a box-office insurance policy or anything…. Yeah right.

 Daniel Kelly