*Lee Daniels, the visionary creator behind the highly acclaimed series “Empire,” has recently unveiled his candid thoughts about his experiences working on the show. In a provocative interview with The Film Stage concerning his latest project, “The Deliverance,” Daniels, 64, described his time on “Empire” as the “worst experience” of his career.
“Empire,” a riveting six-season drama that aired on Fox from 2015 to 2020, starred an impressive ensemble cast including Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and Jussie Smollett. The Emmy-nominated series chronicled the life of a wealthy entertainment executive grappling with terminal illness as he contemplated which of his sons would inherit his empire.
According to Daniels, in his interview with TheFilmStage, he said his decision to co-create “Empire” with actor Danny Strong stemmed primarily from curiosity.
“I wanted to know what that experience was like,” he remarked, reflecting on his predominantly independent filmmaking career. “It was so hard. It was really hard. Horrible. Absolutely the worst experience. Horrible!”
His frustration revealed a deeper yearning for creative freedom, as he shared his reluctance to be constrained by studio demands.
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Despite the tough challenges he faced in the television realm, Daniels concedes that the financial rewards of Empire played a significant role in justifying the endeavor.
“I was able to put my kids through college and s***. So that in itself was worth it,” he concluded, acknowledging the often difficult balance between artistic integrity and financial necessity.
Now, as Daniels embarks on his next project, “The Deliverance,” he appears undeterred by his past studio experiences. Collaborating with Netflix for this latest film, Daniels insisted on having final cut rights to ensure his creative vision remained intact. He detailed the clash in expectations with Netflix, revealing their desire for frequent “jump scares” which he initially struggled to execute.
“I said, ‘Listen, man, I can’t do this. I don’t know how… it does not compute,’” he stated. Ultimately, he struck a balance, finding a way to blend his artistic vision with the streaming giant’s demands: “Okay, let me just give them what they want a little bit because it’s a Lee Daniels film, but it’s also a Netflix film.”
“The Deliverance” taps into the real-life horror story of Latoya Ammons, who, along with her family, claimed to be tormented by a malevolent presence after relocating to a rental home in Gary, Indiana, in 2011. The film features a notable cast, including Andra Day, Glenn Close, Caleb McLaughlin of Stranger Things, and Mo’Nique.
However, “The Deliverance” has not fared well with critics, currently holding a dismal 33 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have been harsh, with HuffPost labeling the film “a mess” and IGN asserting it’s “neither scary nor thoughtful enough to leave a mark.”
Despite the lukewarm reception, Daniels maintains his unique perspective as he navigates the challenges of blending his independent film roots with the expectations of major studios.
Through his honesty about the trials of Empire and his current project, Lee Daniels continues to illustrate the complexities of being a creator in the entertainment industry. In his journey, he echoes a common sentiment among artists: the struggle between artistic integrity and the financial realities of the business. As he moves forward, fans and critics alike are left to wonder how his next ventures will unfold amidst the ongoing tension of creative ambition and commercial expectations.
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