If you test Iron Man and that audience doesn't respond well, you can be damn sure that there is something wrong with the movie that you have to address. Because they're expecting a certain amount of action, right? They want a hero. There are certain things that have to be compatible with the way the audience is thinking about it. If you take some other film, like No Country for Old Men, you can end up with all kinds of crazy reactions.
Barry LevinsonRonald Reagan was this actor who was going to be president, and he was very charming. What he had was, he talked about America in ways that got people all caught up in it. He was creating this America - it could even be the mythical "America" - that we subscribe to.
Barry LevinsonI got a chance to work with Mel Brooks on two of his films: Silent Movie and High Anxiety.
Barry LevinsonThey're intimidating the networks and levying these fines, so the networks are not sure of what they can or can't do.
Barry Levinson