That a Hollywood studio has effectively given the 2018 version of straight-to-video treatment to a £29m A-list sci-fi epic because a) it’s deemed too brainy, and b) its predominantly female ensemble, led by Natalie Portman, isn’t deemed bankable enough, says volumes about the fears and biases of an industry in thrall to safe, macho franchise formula. (Would swapping Portman for Chris Hemsworth have strengthened Paramount’s resolve?)

While Netflix and streaming websites allow more creative risk taking and freedom, it is already becoming the shortcut all studios and production companies are favouring as soon as they feel squeamish about taking the risk of sticking it on the big screen. A perverse side-effect disguised by good intentions and diversity…