The Hero Generation Rises

This is part four of a series on The Fourth Turning for Filmmakers. Read parts 1-3 here.

Now we're delving into the Gen X <> Millennial partnership dynamic. Gen X, born 1964-1981, are now in their 40s and 50s. Millennials, born 1981-1996, are in their 30s and 40s.

The last time a Nomad generation partnered with a rising Hero generation to reshape media, they created the Golden Age of Hollywood. Now, as Gen X filmmakers join forces with Millennial collaborators, we're witnessing history repeat itself, but with more powerful tools. This isn't a changing of the guard; it's a once-in-80-years alignment rewriting the rules of film production, financing, and distribution.

I was born in 1983 and identify more with Gen X than Millennials. This is why I enjoy the Xennial distinction, as we had an exceptional analog childhood and a digital young adulthood. I was born on the cusp of the generational divide and, like most of us, am a child of Boomer parents.

I've lived this generational bridge. When I pitched my first feature to (mostly Boomer) investors, I brought both the Gen X skepticism of traditional financing models ("we'll find a way no matter what") and the Millennial collaborative approach ("let's build a community around this project"). That duality helped me navigate the collapse of old distribution models while embracing new platforms. I wasn't just "making a film," I was building infrastructure for future projects, a mindset essential in today's Fourth Turning.

Balancing Gen X independence ("if it is to be, it is up to me") and Millennial collectivism ("can't we all just get along?"/"won't somebody please think of the children!") is a superpower. I even created a "Society of Independent Creators," an oxymoron if I've ever heard one.

What makes this moment so pivotal for our industry is this: The Gen X-Millennial alliance creates a powerful filmmaking partnership during this Fourth Turning. It combines independent vision with collaborative execution to build lasting cultural infrastructure rather than mere entertainment. This isn't just another generational handoff; it's a specific alignment that occurs once every 80 years, transforming how films are made, financed, and distributed.

My generation is now leading the creative charge in Hollywood. Look at the top box office of the last two years (2023-2024) and who’s involved:

Gen X has the lion's share, followed by Xennials, Millennials, Boomers, and Gen Z.

The most-viewed stories are written, directed, and produced by people in their 40s and 50s. Many of these writers and directors emerged from the independent system, such as Greta Gerwig, James Gunn, and Christopher Nolan.

The current stories are from predominantly Gen X creators. But success in this industry requires collaboration with othersfrom different generations. Boomers are represented more heavily on this chart as Producers. Gen Z as actors. Collectivism is essential for success.

Partnerships are the fastest way to unlock untapped value in our industry. Every movie needs partnerships between the creators, brands (e.g., actors), and distribution. This triad is essential for success. You can try to do it alone, but in that scenario 1+1+1=3.

Partnering with an actor with a large platform means your 1 is added to their 10, making it easier to partner with a larger distributor which adds another 7. The triad is now worth 1+10+7= 28, nearly an order of magnitude in value through partnerships.

The Nomad-Hero Alliance

In Fourth Turning terminology, Gen X represents the "Nomad" archetype—pragmatic, independent, and unimpressed by institutional authority. Millennials embody the "Hero" archetype—optimistic, team-oriented, and driven by collective mission. Together, they form a complementary alliance transforming filmmaking from the inside out.

What makes this alliance potent in filmmaking is how these characteristics complement each other:

• Gen X brings skepticism of big systems, DIY resourcefulness, comfort with risk, and an ability to create without needing external validation.
• Millennials bring technological fluency, collaborative instincts, cause-oriented motivation, and the desire to createnew systems.

Think of this generational alliance like the perfect filmmaking partnership. Gen X directors bring the independent vision and gritty determination to get the shot, while Millennial cast and crew build the collaborative ecosystem that amplifies that vision beyond what any single auteur could achieve.

Today, successful filmmakers leverage both sensibilities. Christopher Nolan exemplifies the Gen X independent spirit—maintaining creative control while working within the studio system—yet his productions involve large teams collaborating toward his singular vision. Greta Gerwig combines personal, independent storytelling with blockbuster appeal and cultural commentary.

What's fascinating about our current moment is how the boundaries between independent and mainstream filmmaking have blurred. The old binary of "indie vs. studio" has evolved into a spectrum where:

1. Independent filmmakers can reach worldwide audiences through streaming platforms.
2. Studio films increasingly adopt independent sensibilities and talent.
3. Mid-budget films find creative financing through equity, pre-sales, and international partnerships.

This evolution mirrors the Gen X/Millennial dynamic. Gen X pioneers who operated outside the system (Kevin Smith, Robert Rodriguez) have demonstrated paths to sustainable careers that maintain creative independence. Millennials entering the industry now benefit from these pathways while bringing their own collaborative innovations.

A perfect case study is "Everything Everywhere All at Once." The film was made for $25 million, directed by Millennial duo Daniels, produced by a Gen X team at A24, featuring a Boomer lead actress (Michelle Yeoh), and embraced by Gen Z audiences. It grossed over $140 million and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Another example is "Dune: Part One" and "Dune: Part Two." Gen X filmmaker Denis Villeneuve directed these films,Legendary (founded by Gen X Thomas Tull) produced them, and a mix of Millennial and Gen Z actors starred in them. They successfully adapted material that previous generations deemed "unfilmable." The films combine independent artistic vision with collaborative execution at scale, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.

This cross-generational collaboration represents the future of successful filmmaking—independent or studio—in our Fourth Turning era.

The Building Phase of the Hero Generation

As we move deeper into the Fourth Turning, we're witnessing a key transition predicted by Strauss and Howe's theory. We're entering the phase where the Hero generation (Millennials) begins building new institutions while the Nomad generation (Gen X) provides pragmatic leadership.

For filmmaking, this means:

1. New Production Models: Millennial-led companies are creating alternative production structures—remote collaboration, decentralized teams, and meaningful creative processes.
2. Authentic Representation: The push for inclusion both on and off camera isn't merely "checking boxes." It'srebuilding the infrastructure of who tells stories and how.
3. Technology Integration: The boundary between traditional filmmaking and technological innovation continues to dissolve. Virtual production, AI-assisted workflows, and blockchain-based financing are becoming common.
4. Value-Aligned Business: Filmmakers are building companies around specific values and missions instead offocusing solely on profit.

The lesson for film investors is clear: back teams that combine Gen X pragmatism with Millennial vision. Look for projects demonstrating independent creative control and collaborative execution.

Preparing for Gen Z

This won't always be the case, where Gen X is at the forefront. Soon—in the next 10 years—we'll see movies written and directed by Gen Z at the top of the box office. We can prepare by building relationships as producers with up-and-coming independent artists, championing their stories, and helping position them for future success.

Gen Z (born 1997-2012) represents the "Artist" archetype in the Fourth Turning framework. They are coming of age during a crisis, producing a more pragmatic, adaptive generation. Their relationship with media is different; they havenever known a world without social media, streaming, and constant content availability.

Early signs of Gen Z's filmmaking sensibilities include:

• Multi-format storytelling: Blending traditional film with interactive elements, social media, and transmedia narratives.
• Authenticity over polish: Prioritizing raw emotional truth over technical precision.
• Fluid identity expressions: Moving beyond binary categorizations of characters and stories.
• Global perspective: Thinking beyond national boundaries in themes and distribution.

Producers are creating mentorship pipelines and development programs for Gen Z creators. The most successful will offer guidance without imposing outdated frameworks.

Building for the Future

Understanding generational dynamics isn't just academic; it provides a practical framework for strategic decision-making in our industry. As we navigate this transition in filmmaking, those who understand the Fourth Turning patterns have a distinct advantage. Rather than reacting to short-term market fluctuations or following trends, strategic film investors and producers can position themselves along the natural developmental arc of these generational dynamics.

This means embracing a long-term vision for filmmaking that prioritizes creative sovereignty by supporting filmmakers who maintain ownership of their IP and creative direction. Building cross-generational teams is essential to harness the unique strengths of different perspectives. 

Strategic investors should view their film investments as vital components of cultural infrastructure—building blocks of the renewed post-Crisis culture. This requires thinking in decades rather than quarters, recognizing that the true value creation in this Fourth Turning will unfold over the next 10-15 years, not just in the short term. 

I don't build for applause today. I build for future generations. In our industry, that means fostering the Gen X-Millennial alliance while preparing for the approaching Gen Z creative renaissance.

As you consider your next film investment or creative project, ask yourself: Are you funding entertainment, or building lasting cultural infrastructure? Are you positioning yourself within the generational patterns that have shaped every Crisis era in American history, or are you fighting against them? The filmmakers and investors who answer these questions wisely won't just survive the coming decade; they'll help shape the cultural renaissance that follows.

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