ROME, January 29, 2026 — Director Gabriele Muccino, known for Hollywood hits like ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ has announced he’s done with the United States, stating bluntly, “No, I will never go back. And I won’t even go back to America.” The declaration came during a recent appearance on the Adnkronos vodcast.
A Hollywood Farewell: Director Cites ‘Pagan Civilization’
Muccino, whose latest film ‘Le cose non dette’ (Untold Things) arrives in theaters January 29th, reflects on a disillusioning experience with American culture.
- Muccino directed Will Smith in several successful films early in his Hollywood career.
- He describes a shift in his experience, citing a lack of genuine connection and a troubling societal atmosphere.
- The director characterizes American society as being “in complete decline.”
- He recalls feeling a growing “suffering” in the U.S. that foreshadowed global issues.
While Muccino initially found success in the U.S., directing films such as ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ ‘Seven Souls,’ and ‘Fathers and Daughters,’ his perspective soured over time. “They were tiring and painful,” he said, describing the United States as “a pagan civilization that we see clearly before our eyes today.”
The director explained that his early years in America were positive, marked by collaborations with Will Smith and critical acclaim. However, he began to feel alienated as he navigated the industry’s complexities. “I started to deal with the system and with the absence of friendship and relationships that exist in that lost and lonely society,” he stated.
What led to Gabriele Muccino’s decision to leave Hollywood? The director attributes his departure to a growing sense of unease and a perceived lack of authentic human connection within American society, ultimately characterizing it as “in complete decline.” He felt a deep-seated “suffering” during his last five or six years in the U.S., which he believes was a precursor to broader global challenges.
