I can point directly to one of my favourite authors about this.

Sir Terry Pratchett [GNU] was once in negotiations with an unnamed studio to talk about making a movie out of Mort. A book, for those not in the loop, about Death hiring an apprentice.

"We love the story, we do," said the chief negotiator. "It's just that we think we should get rid of all that death stuff. It's too morbid."

At which point Sir Pterry stood up and left the room.