Idiocracy: The Real Reason the Movie That Predicted the Future Was a Box Office Flop
Why was Idiocracy buried by 20th Century Fox?
While you may remember a couple of prophetic films, it's uncommon for a movie that somehow predicted the future to be a comedy. However, there is one such movie.
In 2006, Mike Judge, the creator of Beavis and Butt-Head and King of the Hill, released a live-action film called Idiocracy. The movie was met with a puzzling response from its distributor, Fox, which seemed to bury the film rather than promote it.
This left many wondering why a film from such an established filmmaker was treated so poorly. Some speculated that the film's satirical portrayal of a future America, dumbed down by consumerism and corporate influence, hit a little too close to home for the powers that be.
The film even dared to mock big corporations like Starbucks and Carl's Jr., which might have ruffled some feathers in high places.
Despite its rocky start, Idiocracy has since found a cult following. The film's depiction of a future where society has become overwhelmingly stupid has struck a chord with audiences.
It's a world where the intelligent are an endangered species, and the most popular TV show is called Ow, My Balls! This dystopian vision, while hilarious, serves as a stark warning about the dangers of collective incompetence and the dismissal of science and knowledge.
Interestingly, the film's most unforgettable character, President Camacho, played by Terry Crews, wasn't in the original script. Initially, the future United States was run by an AI system. However, Judge felt that having a human president would make the story more compelling.
Thus, the AI president was replaced with the flamboyant, gun-toting, motorcycle-riding President Camacho. This change was a hit, and it's now impossible to imagine Idiocracy without Crews' brilliant performance.
In the years since its release, Idiocracy has become a cultural touchstone. Its critique of modern society's descent into stupidity has become all too relevant in our current age. The film's prophetic nature has even led some to describe it as a documentary rather than a comedy.
In the end, Idiocracy serves as a cautionary tale. It warns us of a future where intelligence is devalued, and mindless entertainment is king. It's a future we should strive to avoid.