Filmmaker Sean Baker says fans of Anora and his other films can expect “more of the same” from his upcoming output — and puts to rest any worries he might show up with a bullhorn on the set of a future Avengers installment.
While appearing on The Hollywood Reporter‘s It Happened in Hollywood podcast, Baker confessed he was taking his time choosing a follow-up project to 2024’s Anora, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes before going on to win six Academy Awards — including four for Baker himself, an Oscars record. Among them were best picture, best director, best actress for Mikey Madison and best original screenplay.
“I’m not sure yet,” he said in response to a question about his next film. “I’m still exploring some ideas.”
“Don’t expect a Marvel film,” he said. “It’s not going to happen. I’m intentionally going to stay in the same wheelhouse and with the approximate same budget. I think that I enjoy working in this space of 100 percent independent.”
Marvel is a fertile breeding ground for indie filmmakers who seek to make the leap to bigger budgets and studio franchise films. Among them are James Gunn, Taika Waititi and Chloé Zhao, whose 2021 indie film Nomadland won four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director. Barry Jenkins, meanwhile, directed 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King for Disney, owner of Marvel Studios, after winning best director in 2017 for Moonlight, another indie.
Baker wants none of it.
“I’m not working for even a mini studio. I’m making my film independently and then going the old school route of hopefully a bidding war or somebody licensing the movie,” he said on the podcast.
Added Baker, “I think that’s the only way to have full autonomy and control over your vision. So it’ll be that. Expect more of the same.”
One of independent cinema’s most ardent and vocal champions, Baker gave a passionate speech at the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards. Accepting the award for best director, he told the audience, “I’m an indie film lifer, and I know that there are other indie film lifers in this room, those who don’t see indie films as calling cards, those who don’t make these films to land a series or a studio film.”
“Some of us want to make personal films that are intended for theatrical release with subject matter that would never be greenlit by the big studios. We want complete artistic freedom and the freedom to cast who is right for the role, not who we’re forced to cast considering box office value, or how many followers they have on social media. The system has to change because this is simply unsustainable,” Baker said, to enthusiastic cheers and applause.
For more from Baker on studio independence and the making of Prince of Broadway, Anora and other titles in his filmography, listen to the full episode of It Happened in Hollywood and be sure to subscribe today.