Famed Hollywood Movie Directors Issue Dire Warning About the Future of Film: 'An Implosion or a Big Meltdown

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are known for producing and directing some of history's most popular feature films. That in mind, their views on the future of the movie industry carry clout -- which is why some may find their most recent comments troubling. While speaking at the University of Southern California on Wednesday, the two joined other panelists in speaking about some disturbing trends in Tinseltown.

US actress Kim Novak (L) is welcomed on stage by US director and President of the Feature Film Jury Steven Spielberg prior to handing on May 26, 2013 the Grand Prix award during the closing ceremony of the 66th Cannes film festival in Cannes. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

The Hollywood Reporter has more about the event and the dire warnings that both Spielberg and Lucas issued:

The two legendary filmmakers, along with CNBC anchor Julia Boorstin and Microsoft president of interactive entertainment business Don Mattrick, were speaking at the University of Southern California as part of the festivities surrounding the official opening of the Interactive Media Building, three stories high and part of the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Lucas and Spielberg told USC students that they are learning about the industry at an extraordinary time of upheaval, where even proven talents find it difficult to get movies into theaters. Some ideas from young filmmakers "are too fringe-y for the movies," Spielberg said. "That's the big danger, and there's eventually going to be an implosion — or a big meltdown. There's going to be an implosion where three or four or maybe even a half-dozen megabudget movies are going to go crashing into the ground, and that's going to change the paradigm."

Film, a space that was once known for allowing the creative juices to flow is, according to Lucas, now mainly motivated by churning out movies for the masses. Cable television, he argues, is where this creativity is taking place today.

The "Star Wars" creator also noted the difficulties that one encounters when trying to get his or her feature in theaters, warning students that "the pathway...is really getting smaller and smaller."

Director George Lucas attends the Women in Film's 2013 Crystal + Lucy Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. Credit: Vince Bucci/Invision/AP

Spielberg agreed, noting that his movie "Lincoln," a blockbuster about America's 16th president, almost didn't make it to the big screen (it was potentially headed to HBO instead).

"I think eventually the Lincolns will go away and they're going to be on television," Lucas said. "We're talking Lincoln and Red Tails -- we barely got them into theaters. You're talking about Steven Spielberg and George Lucas can't get their movie into a theater."

Read more about Spielberg and Lucas and their views on the dire future of film.

(H/T: Hollywood Reporter)