I would hope this is why the release date’s been pushed back, but judging from the trailers, it seems to me that Paramount doesn’t quite know what to make of the material. I haven’t seen a cut of it, but judging from the things that were included in the trailer, Paramount’s trying to market a Psychological Thriller as straight Horror. Square peg, round hole Mr. Grey.
Also does anyone find their financial excuse feeble?
“Our 2009 slate was greenlit in a very different economic climate and as a result we must remain flexible and willing to recalibrate and adapt to a changing environment.”
I’m willing to believe they were as affected by the economic downturn as everyone else, but I find it a little suspect. They don’t have the cash to market this film for the awards season after “Transformers 2” and “G.I. Joe”? Oh please.
Paramount has insisted that early screenings of the film have generally been positive.
But who the hell knows.
Reports have been that the film scored high 80’s low 90’s at test screenings. I don’t understand why people think delays and/or reshoots are a detriment to a film. Just look at The Assassination of Jesse James or even The Road has been getting very positive reviews in Venice.
The films release date was pushed into early next year because the studio has insufficient funds to market it on the scale they believe is necessary to reach all of the desired targeted markets. And while transformers made money for the studio GI Joe was a loser.
Yeah, I think GI joe was number for a week or so and then just when straight in to the gutter. But who care’s about economic grosses this is not how movies should be thought of. But back to Scorsese thats makes sense that it’s the studio’s fault. But didn’t they want them film? Wasn’t there like some huge bidding war that got the rights to the movie?
Scorsese has had high-profile films pushed back twice prior to this: ‘The Age of Innocence’ (1992-1993) and ‘Gangs of New York’ (2001-2002). There wasn’t much explanation to either, except the possibility that they were incomplete (which was never cited as an official reason). Back then, Scorsese wasn’t as commercially viable as he is today, in the wake of two consecutive $100 million grossers (even though he had just celebrated his biggest box-office hit as of back then, ‘Cape Fear’ in 1991).
One can’t say much as to whether or not box-office was a factor in either case considering his b.o. track record (both films were insanely expensive compared to what the studios, Universal and Miramax respectively, must have anticipated the returns to be). But, in the case of ‘Age of Innocence’, awards chances were decimated. Had ‘Age of Innocence been released in ’92, Scorsese would have been pitted against Eastwood for Best Director (how interesting, in hindsight, would that have been. They would’ve gone head to head on three separate occasions), Daniel Day Lewis would have another acting nomination to his tally, and we would probably be referring to Winona Ryder as “Academy Award winner Winona Ryder.”
‘Shutter Island’ seems to be more commercial fare than a prestige-type picture, but Scorsese still makes the highest quality of commercial fare (‘Cape Fear’, ‘The Departed’, e.g.). I can only imagine marketing being the reason here, but the spring release date is VERY curious. The other two pushbacks were moved to winter of the following year. Springtime is generally where studios dump what they feel to be their “lost causes” (think ‘The Alamo’ or ‘The Soloist’). I can’t imagine that being the case here… We shall see, though
Moderated
LoL, thanks for the FYI, I already know all that. You forgot “The Last Temptation of Christ” which I don’t even think got nominated. But that got green lighted, than back burned more than once, in favor of “The Color of Money” and “After Hours”. He should get help from Steven again like he did with “Cape Fear”. I don’t think this one will get nominated. But it most certainly could be good.
Well, I didn’t bring up ‘Last Temptation’ simply because not only was it pushed back, but filming was halted altogether. The project changed studios, and wasn’t resumed until years later with a completely different cast (except for Harvey Keitel). The other two I mentioned (as well as ‘Shutter Island’) were already in the can, and were pushed back for whatever reason.
It would have been interesting to see DeNiro as Christ, though…
Well, I didn’t bring up ‘Last Temptation’ simply because not only was it pushed back, but filming was halted altogether. The project changed studios, and wasn’t resumed until years later with a completely different cast (except for Harvey Keitel). The other two I mentioned (as well as ‘Shutter Island’) were already in the can, and were pushed back for whatever reason.
It would have been interesting to see DeNiro as Christ, though…
Does SI remind anybody of Rosemary’s Baby?
@Berjuan- Not from what I’ve seen. How does it you?
According to Brad Grey, the reason the release was pushed back was that DiCaprio wasn’t available to promote the film internationally this year.
Will I’m not really asking about the release dates I had assumption of what the case might be, but if people read my original post they’ll know what I want to hear.
Having only read the novel, I’m assuming that it’s going to most resemble of Scorsese’s films Cape Fear (?)
By what I’ve heard (and what I know of the book), the comparisons to ‘Cape Fear’ aren’t going to stop. I was really looking forward to this. Hopefully it turns out well.
I’m wondering if the pushed back date is going to effect his upcoming projects (the Roosevelt and Sinatra biopics as well as ‘I Heard You Paint Houses’, his re-teaming w/DeNiro). Will he be spending the upcoming months re-cutting and/or promoting this movie and delay the start of production on the other three (by the way, he’s suddenly a very busy man… even for him. He’s starting to work on a Woody Allen-type pace if one believes the proposed release dates on IMDB)
Well I like Cape Fear alot actually so that’s okay with me. But I think only the idea of it being a psychological horror will be shared between the two films. I don’t think they’ll actually be anything alike in the end.
No. Not necessarily anything alike in actuality, I just feel like that’s how writers are going to go with it. They have a tendency to “group” movies together that don’t necessarily have much in common, especially if they’re made by the same director or share a star.
Yeah, I know it’s really annoying to when people try to classify something that shouldn’t have to be classified. But as far as the Di Caprio/Scorsese team I’d like to see a new face in the lead role for once.
Well, there are a lot of superficial similarities between the source material—both novels are popular thrillers about elusive psychopaths, are set near water, and climax during storms.
I think DiCaprio has been a fine lead for Scorsese. He’s at least going to be there for one more (the Theodore Roosevelt picture). Leo and Marty have developed that relationship to where they don’t have to speak to know what the other wants. It’s very difficult to break away from a relationship like that. That very fact makes it hard for me to understand DeNiro turning down the role of Bill the Butcher for ‘Gangs of New York,’ as it is very clear that those two share a similar relationship. There is no doubt that fifteen years apart won’t cause them to skip a beat once ‘I Hear You Paint Houses’ commences shooting.
In the case of DiCaprio, I want to see him work more with Scorsese, as it seems he does his best work with him. Same goes for Jamie Foxx and Michael Mann. Very talented actors who seem to have found a director who knows exactly how to utilize them.
Pavel
If anything its because Martin Scorsese (the perfectionist he is) want’s to make it a better film than it must already be, but has anyone seen a rough cut of it yet. If so what have they seen (no spoilers please) broad strokes, Classic Scorsese (camera movements, editing etcetera)? Is it a horror or a thriller? Surprise ending? Follow the book close?