True.
But having made a hash of the American market with crap, they now rely on the overseas market to generate their return on investment.
The stars aren't under onerous studio contracts anymore--they get paid FIRST, no matter how bad the film.
Used to be, Hollywood cared very little for the overseas market...that was just gravy. Seems to me that they've already driven away a chunk of their audience in the States...witness the major turkeys they've lost dough on the past few years.
Some of it is driving away the market with anti-Americanism...and some of it is that they give megabucks to untalented morons and say "Make a movie." Resulting movie is a lot better if it's got subtitles and played for a non-English-speaking audience.
Gresham's Law: "Bad money will drive out good."
Poohbah's Corollary: "Bad movie-making will drive out good."
The ONLY Hollywood figure I can think of who has the resources necessary for such a film, and the skills to produce, direct, and star in it would be Mel Gibson, and notice how he's getting beaten about the head and shoulders lately, just for making a historic movie about Christ?
My bet is, he'd make a good war film (he's done it before), but he might be a little tired of getting mercilessly attacked at this time.