Grease 2 star Maxwell Caulfield has revealed his love of the film’s fandom, despite the fact the movie was poorly received and a box office flop.
Grease 2 star Maxwell Caulfield has revealed his love of the fandom, despite the movie flopping spectacularly upon release. Back in 1978, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John became global icons after starring as the two leads in box office behemoth Grease, a movie that grossed $366 million against a budget of just $6 million, and enhanced the popularity of musicals in the United States. Four years after Grease took movie theaters by storm, the follow-up, Grease 2, was released, following a new group of characters, and with Caulfield and future Academy Award nominee Michelle Pfeiffer in the lead roles.
Produced on a budget of almost double what the original movie cost, Grease 2 was considered a box office bomb, recouping just over $15 million, and its poor performance led to the cancellation of planned future installments in the franchise. The original creators and production team behind the first movie did not return for the sequel either, with Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs expressing his displeasure at the film. Nevertheless, the movie enjoy a brief lease of life in the rental market following the new attention attracted in the wake of the 20th anniversary re-release of Grease in 1998.
In spite of the sequel flopping, it has developed and retained something of a cult following, and many regard it fondly. This is something that has continued to resonate with Caulfield over the years, as he discussed in a 40th anniversary retrospect with /Film. During the interview the British-born American spoke of how much he enjoys revisiting the movie, and is perfectly happy with it been seen as corny or cheesy. The Empire Records star opined, “The film has to be corny from time to time. I mean, America’s corny.” He also talked about why the movie seems to have enjoyed an enduring appeal, and what makes the Grease 2 fandom so special. Check out the 62-year-old’s comments below:
“It is important to stay in touch with those films that almost become a part of your very being because they touched you in such a profound way at the time, because as we get deeper and deeper into this crazy world, it just seems to just get more confusing with every passing month to be able to go back to those touchstone things — those elements of your life, and it’s critical. The fact that you’ve elected to make ‘Grease 2’ one of those films that just resonates for you, that’s a good thing.”
It is often the case that movies considered flops on their release tend to enjoy a new lease of life years later, and become popular cult movies on home video. In the case of Grease 2, while it is unlikely anyone would agree to it being superior to the original, it certainly seems to be remembered fondly by fans of the franchise. Caulfield’s comments suggest the power of nostalgia and circumstance can play a huge role in determining someone’s personal enjoyment of movies, and this could certainly be a factor with Grease 2.
While it is unclear whether a planned Grease prequel film will happen any time soon, particularly considering the planned Rise of the Pink Ladies prequel show, this is still a franchise that has been hugely enjoyable for audiences. And, while not packing the magic, memorability and energy of its predecessor, Grease 2 still has something to offer fans all these years later, and it continues to be popular.
Source: /Film
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