Jon Landau stands as a towering figure in Hollywood, not just for his association with some of the highest-grossing films of all time, but for his profound understanding of what truly constitutes cinematic success. As the producer behind James Cameron’s groundbreaking films Avatar and Titanic, Jon Landau has consistently demonstrated a commitment to pushing cinematic boundaries and prioritizing emotional resonance with audiences. This interview delves into the perspectives of Jon Landau on filmmaking, success metrics in the movie industry, and the driving forces behind his illustrious career.
When asked about how he measures the success of a film, Jon Landau offers a refreshingly audience-centric viewpoint. For him, personal enjoyment as a moviegoer sets the benchmark. Landau values the immersive escape a film provides – a temporary reprieve from daily concerns. The true measure, according to Jon Landau, is the emotional impact a movie leaves on its audience. Does the film evoke feeling? Does it resonate beyond the screen? This emotional connection, for Jon Landau, is the hallmark of a successful cinematic experience.
This personal approach as an audience member directly informs Jon Landau’s work as a producer. He doesn’t approach filmmaking from a critical distance but rather from the perspective of someone seeking an impactful movie experience. Whether it’s the visceral action of a film like Top Gun: Maverick or the culturally resonant narrative of Black Panther, Jon Landau appreciates films that connect with audiences on both a visceral and emotional level. This dual impact is what, in his view, makes going to the movies such a rewarding experience.
Jon Landau extends this emotional metric of success to the films he produces. He recounts a private screening of Avatar: The Way of Water for the lead actors, Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, and Stephen Lang. For Jon Landau, witnessing their emotional reactions – the tears, the camaraderie, and their validation that the film fulfilled its promise – was a moment of immense pride. Seeing the actors connect with their performances and the film’s narrative on screen affirmed for Jon Landau the film’s success, even before its wider release.
Challenging conventional Hollywood metrics, Jon Landau openly admits that box office numbers are secondary in his definition of success. He emphasizes that the creative process – making the movie, crafting the marketing, and executing publicity – precedes any box office considerations. Once a film is released, Jon Landau believes control shifts away from the filmmakers. He focuses on what he can influence: the quality of the film itself and its presentation to the public. Acknowledging the myriad external factors that impact box office performance, Jon Landau advocates for focusing on delivering the best possible film. He cites Alita: Battle Angel as an example of a film he is proud of, regardless of it not reaching blockbuster box office figures.
However, Jon Landau recognizes the undeniable impact of box office giants like Titanic and Avatar, both crossing the $2 billion mark. Rather than altering his fundamental approach, this monumental success has fueled his ambition to reach even greater cinematic heights. Jon Landau points to the groundbreaking achievements in Titanic – from costume design to cinematography and production design – as setting a historical benchmark. Now, with the Avatar sequels, Jon Landau and James Cameron are focused on pioneering world-building, seamlessly blending CGI and live-action to surpass even the visual and narrative achievements of the original Avatar.
For Jon Landau, the competition isn’t with other film franchises but with their own past accomplishments. He stresses that James Cameron and he prioritize authenticity to their own vision, specifically to the Avatar universe. Their driving force is to exceed their previous work in every aspect – technology, emotion, character development, and world-building. This internal drive for continuous improvement and innovation is a hallmark of Jon Landau’s production philosophy.
An anecdote from Warren Beatty highlights a key aspect of Jon Landau’s producer style: his deep immersion and constant creative contribution. Beatty observed that Jon Landau dreams about the movies he produces, consistently bringing fresh ideas and suggestions to the story and characters. Jon Landau likens each film project to a startup company, with himself involved from inception onwards. His role extends across various facets, from publishing tie-ins to Cirque du Soleil collaborations, ensuring a cohesive stewardship of the film’s vision. Jon Landau sees his primary responsibility as realizing the initial creative vision, communicating it effectively to the crew, and empowering them to contribute creatively.
Jon Landau emphasizes a deep level of personal investment as a producer, dismissing the idea of simply overseeing projects from a desk. He believes in active participation, contributing his voice and influence, and inspiring others to exceed their perceived limitations. This hands-on approach reflects a desire to instill pride in the collective endeavor of filmmaking. Jon Landau’s career trajectory, marked by fewer but deeply impactful projects, is a deliberate choice.
This selectivity, Jon Landau clarifies, stems from a desire to dedicate complete focus and respect to each story. He humorously illustrates this intense commitment by describing his simultaneous work on Avatar and Alita: Battle Angel, claiming to dedicate “70 percent” of his time to each concurrently. This anecdote underscores Jon Landau’s all-in approach, finding it difficult to comprehend producers juggling multiple projects superficially. His dedication might be perceived as over-involvement, but Jon Landau affirms it as integral to his nature.
Finally, Jon Landau refutes the notion that past successes have diminished his drive. He and James Cameron remain motivated by the challenges inherent in each film project. These challenges, rather than being deterrents, are the very source of their excitement and continued dedication. For Jon Landau, filmmaking is about investing time and complete commitment to deliver exceptional results, project after project.
