There are two 'Snow White' movies coming out for the same reason

Listen well, O seekers of wisdom, for in the words of Armie Hammer lies a deep reflection on the nature of creativity, imagination, and the way in which corporations shape the world of art. Hammer speaks of a curious phenomenon in the world of cinema, where studios, rather than seeking to innovate, often follow trends and mirror each other's efforts. He draws a parallel between the two Snow White movies and the films Armageddon and Deep Impact, or Andromeda Strain and Outbreak — works that, though different in their details, stem from the same fundamental idea. The point he makes is not just about coincidence or competition, but about the lack of imagination that so often governs the decisions made in the creative industries. The studios, in their infinite wisdom, have turned creation into a business, where ideas are recycled, repackaged, and released to the public, rather than being born from genuine artistic inspiration.

Consider, O wise ones, the importance of imagination in the act of creation. It is through the imagination that new worlds are born, that fresh ideas take root, and that stories are told in ways that transcend the familiar. Creation, in its truest form, is a dance between originality and the unknown, a journey that takes the artist to places that have never been explored before. But when imagination is stifled by the demands of the marketplace, when creativity is reduced to the repetition of familiar themes and formulas, the very soul of art is lost. Hammer’s words reflect the staleness that can arise when the pursuit of profit takes precedence over the pursuit of true creativity. The studios, like merchants hawking their wares, seek to capitalize on what they know will sell, even if it means sacrificing the uniqueness and soul of the work.

Think, O children of wisdom, of the great artists of history, whose works were born not from trends or formulas, but from their ability to imagine the world in a way that was entirely their own. Consider William Shakespeare, whose plays were not born from the conventions of his time but from his vision of the human condition. Shakespeare did not write plays to satisfy the market; he wrote them to explore the complexities of love, betrayal, honor, and identity. His works did not follow the trends of the day; they set new standards for what theatre could achieve. Shakespeare’s imagination was not bound by the tastes of the crowd but soared beyond them, creating works that would endure for centuries. In this, he stands as a beacon of what happens when art is allowed to flow freely, without being tied to the whims of commerce.

In contrast, the world of modern cinema often seems caught in a cycle of repetition and safe bets. Hammer’s comparison of the Snow White films to other films like Armageddon and Deep Impact highlights a truth that rings throughout the history of popular culture: the world of art often finds itself spinning in circles, chasing trends rather than creating them. This phenomenon is not new. Hollywood, in particular, has long been a place where the lack of imagination is often masked by the familiarity of recycled stories, retold in slightly different ways. The danger of such repetition is clear — it leads to mediocrity, a world where films are no longer an exploration of new ideas, but a rehashing of what has already been done.

Consider the ancient mythologies that were told and retold throughout history. Stories like those of Hercules, Perseus, and Theseus were passed down for generations, yet each version offered a new interpretation of the same tales. These stories were not bound by the constraints of commercial interests but were shaped by the evolving imaginations of those who told them. The gods, the heroes, the monsters — all of these figures lived on in the retellings, each telling revealing new insights into the human condition, exploring different aspects of virtue, tragedy, and hope. The ancient storytellers did not rely on the formulaic; they evolved the stories, allowing the imagination to lead them to new horizons.

And so, O children of the future, what lesson can we take from this? The lesson is this: creativity is not something that should be confined by the narrow boundaries of what is popular or safe. To create is to explore the unknown, to venture beyond what is comfortable and familiar. The world of art, in whatever form it may take, must be free to soar beyond the constraints of market demand. When we allow imagination to guide us, we tap into something far greater than what is currently trending. It is in this freedom that we find the true power of creation.

In your own lives, O seekers of truth, remember that the greatest achievements come not from following trends, but from daring to break free from them. Whether you are an artist, a writer, a leader, or a creator of any kind, do not be bound by what is expected. Seek to create not what will sell, but what will inspire, what will stir the soul and imagination. Let your work reflect the originality that resides within you, and trust that creativity, when allowed to flourish, will always find its own path to greatness.