Hollywood Producer Sounds Alarm on China's Influence, Advocates for 'Made in America' Films

A veteran film producer is speaking out against what he sees as Hollywood's growing reliance on overseas markets, particularly China, and is advocating for more films to be made entirely in the United States. Chris Fenton, known for his work on Marvel's Iron Man 3 and the Bruce Willis sci-fi thriller Looper, has been an outspoken critic of Hollywood's relationship with China, a topic he explored in his 2020 book Feeding the Dragon.

Fenton's latest project, the comedy Bad Counselors, is an example of what he describes as a 'Made in America' production model. The film, set to be released on July 22, was filmed in the United States and employed an all-American cast and crew. Fenton told Fox News that the project was created as a direct response to Hollywood's dependence on overseas markets and as a way to prove that films can be successfully made in the United States.

Fenton has long argued that Hollywood's efforts to gain access to the Chinese market have come at a significant cost to the industry. He claims that studios have censored content and reprogrammed storylines to fit the narrative directed by Beijing, all in an effort to appeal to Chinese regulators and moviegoers. As an example, Fenton points to Looper, which originally had parts of the story set in France but were later relocated to China during production.

Despite these efforts, Fenton argues that Hollywood's position in the Chinese market has weakened considerably in recent years. He notes that the market, which was once dominated by Hollywood titles, now features fewer than 5% American films. Fenton believes that this decline is a result of Hollywood's failure to deliver the long-term benefits that many studios had hoped for, and instead, the industry has lost the market while also spreading Beijing's messaging around the world.

The producer is now advocating for federal incentives to keep jobs in America, arguing that the U.S. already has the workforce and infrastructure to support film production. He believes that with the right incentives, the industry could bring back approximately 2.7 million jobs and generate a quarter of a trillion dollars in wages. Fenton is putting these ideas into practice with Bad Counselors, which will have a limited run in theaters nationwide from July 22 to July 27.

Fenton's call to action comes at a time when the film industry is facing significant challenges, including layoffs and mounting financial pressures. Many studios are being lured overseas by attractive incentives and tax breaks, but Fenton believes that this trend is ultimately detrimental to the industry as a whole. By investing in American production, Fenton argues that Hollywood can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and produce high-quality films that showcase American talent and creativity.

The 'Made in America' production model is not a new concept, but it has gained significant attention in recent years due to concerns about the impact of globalization on the film industry. Fenton's advocacy for this model is part of a broader effort to promote American production and to encourage studios to invest in local talent and infrastructure. As the film industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see whether Fenton's message resonates with studios and filmmakers, and whether the 'Made in America' model becomes a more prominent part of the industry's future.