Actually Quote by Dean Devlin
“Many years ago, I was actually hired to write the sequel to 'Independence Day.' And I wrote a sequel. And they paid me a boatload of money to go write this thing. And after I wrote it, I read it and I gave them back the money and I said, 'Look, this is an okay movie I just wrote. But it's not worthy of the sequel to 'Independence Day.'”
About This Quote
Source Film: Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) – screenplay development notes
He realized the sequel he wrote didn’t meet his own standards and returned the payment, valuing artistic integrity over profit.
In simple terms: He gave back the money because the script wasn’t good enough.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize quality over money.
Themes
integrity
creative standards
self‑assessment
Mood
reflective
determined
Type
ethical
professional
When to use this quote
- screenwriting
- film production
- career decisions
Key Concepts
artistic integrity
professional ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever reject work that pays well but feels wrong?
- How do you balance creative standards with commercial pressure?
A Different Perspective
Returning money may hurt reputation and future opportunities.
