Core Insights - Hollywood is facing a significant "aging" crisis, characterized by both outdated storytelling and an aging star demographic, leading to disappointing box office performances for major films [4][10][12]. Group 1: Film Performance - Recent high-budget films like "Once Upon a Time in War" and "Creation: God of War" have underperformed at the box office, raising concerns about their ability to recoup costs [1][10]. - The global box office for "Once Upon a Time in War" stands at $156 million, despite a high rating of 8.2 on Douban, indicating a disconnect between critical acclaim and audience interest [5][10]. - Many recent Hollywood releases rely heavily on established IPs, with original stories struggling to gain traction, as seen with films like "F1: Speeding" achieving unexpected success while others falter [10][12]. Group 2: Aging Stars and Talent Drain - The current Hollywood landscape is dominated by aging stars, with few new actors emerging to take their place, leading to a talent gap [13][16]. - The reliance on veteran actors for box office draws is evident, but their ability to elevate new talent is diminishing, as seen in films like "Once Upon a Time in War" [14][16]. - The traditional star-making model is breaking down, with actors increasingly moving to television, while newcomers struggle to achieve the same level of recognition as past stars [18][19]. Group 3: Industry Challenges - Hollywood's dependency on large IPs has led to a stagnation in creativity, with many films failing to innovate or engage audiences meaningfully [21][25]. - The industry's structural issues are compounded by a decline in local production, with a reported 22% drop in on-site production in Los Angeles, as filmmakers seek more favorable conditions elsewhere [28][31]. - The disconnect between mainstream award shows and audience preferences is growing, contributing to the challenges in the star-making process and overall industry health [27][32].