When audiences see prestigious actors like Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman starring in a movie primarily set within the confines of a grim and gray prison, they expect a downer of a movie, and that prevents them from seeing it.
During a recent conversation with Yahoo Movies, Frank Darabont opened up regarding the lackluster financial performance of The Shawshank Redemption, and gave his opinion regarding the film’s lack of box office power.
On the other hand, if the movie had been advertised as an upbeat thriller, people would’ve been far more willing to check it out.
Although many people have historically blamed the film’s title for not generating much enthusiasm among members of the mainstream moviegoing community, Darabont seems to think that the film’s core premise didn’t inherently appeal to audiences.