Jason Bateman Calls Hollywood a "fickle business," Claims It's Not Always Merit That Persists

Published 09/17/2025, 2:45 PM EDT

Hollywood is well known to be a place where dreams are made and unmade in equal measure. For every star who manages to stay in the spotlight, countless others fade quietly into the background despite their talent. It is a business that thrives on trends, timing, and sometimes sheer luck. Recently, Jason Bateman, a veteran of the industry, also corroborated these harsh truths, providing expert insights into Tinseltown's nature to support the long-enduring axiom.

Jason Bateman, reflecting on one of his past comments, described Hollywood as a dicey realm where merit does not always save the day.

Jason Bateman opens up about talent, luck, and longevity in Hollywood

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Jason Bateman, in conversation with CBS’ Lee Cowan on September 14, spoke about the unpredictable nature of Hollywood, calling it a “fickle business." He noted in the interview that longevity in the industry is rarely the result of merit and that no position is ever guaranteed, unlike for people with degrees in the outside world. Bateman admitted that his biggest motivation, which helped him persist in the industry, was his pursuit of being able to provide for his family; however, it was also the charm of being in a position to implement what he learned early on in his life that acted as a drive.

Bateman’s reflection on Hollywood during the CBS interview was in response to his having listed getting married, having children, and directing a movie as his life goals in the past. With all three now fulfilled, he divulged how the first two, marriage and fatherhood, continue to go well for him, while the third comes with far less certainty. Despite the uncertainty, though, Bateman’s filmography, including his Netflix hits, looks more than impressive, with a new addition to it being closer to its release than farther.

Did You Know Jason Bateman Got Fired for His Best Career Role Ever? Here’s the Surprising Reason Why

Jason Bateman prepares to captivate audiences in Netflix’s Black Rabbit, starring alongside another acclaimed actor.

All about Jason Bateman’s Black Rabbit

Sibling rivalry has long been a source of tension, often leading to actions that are far from admirable. That theme takes center stage in Black Rabbit, a new Netflix drama uniting Jude Law and Jason Bateman as brothers locked in jealousy and a power tussle. The series promises an intense exploration of fractured family ties and is set to captivate audiences starting September 18.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

With Black Rabbit poised for release soon, Bateman’s honesty about Hollywood’s fickle nature strikes an even more significant chord. Much like the fractured bonds at the heart of the series, his take on Hollywood reveals an industry where certainty is elusive and every step forward is earned with persistence. Yet, standing beside Jude Law in a story brimming with rivalry and reckoning, Bateman reminds all that unpredictability can be just as magnetic, and sometimes, that is exactly what keeps audiences watching.

Jason Bateman Starrer ‘Carry-On’ Breaks Major Netflix Record for 2024 With Fans’ Support

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What are your thoughts on Jason Bateman calling Hollywood fickle? Let us know in the comments.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

ADVERTISEMENT

Seema Sinha

357 articles

Seema Sinha is a journalist at Netflix Junkie, covering the celebrity culture and global cinema beats. With three years of experience at major Hollywood media verticals, she filters real news from the gossip and buzz. Her core focus is on pop culture narratives surrounding musicians—primarily Taylor Swift—with her reporting striking a fine balance between human insight and editorial clarity.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

ADVERTISEMENT

EDITORS' PICK