I think this is a common problem artists have to deal with. The art they want to make (and that fans want to get) vs the industry approval filter. You have to lie to at least one of these groups.

See new Netflix shows for how idiotic and self-sabotaging it can get if you choose lying to fans (see Witcher).

What's the problem with the Witcher?

First season was mostly ok, 2nd season they changed everything to the point that it's easier to list what didn't changed. And they changed it for worse... Third season is supposedly so far off that the main actor Henry Caville who is a big fan of the books resigned.

Imagine Peter Jackson made Sam betray Frodo and sell him to Saruman, Gandalf was trying to turn Frodo into an orc, elves were actually going to the middle earth not escaping it, and the big bad wasn't Sauron but some new character invented by Jackson that makes no sense but sounds vaguely Icelandish because we want to keep the Nordic theme.

This is roughly equivalent to what has been changed in season 2. Characters and motivations are unrecognizable, the world is a mess.

Season 3 is widely boycotted by fans.

> Season 3 is widely boycotted by fans.

This has strong “boycott Modern Warfare 2” energy.