RocknRolla Too English For Warner Bros

[roguem]

Sometimes I feel like the American Film Industry needs a good kick in the balls.
Seriously, how fucking stupid can they be.


Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, starring Gerard Butler and Thandie Newton, is due for release by Warner Bros in October in the States. However, producer Joel Silver is out and about shopping it to studios such as Lionsgate and Sony Pictures. Why is this?
The Los Angeles Times explains,

Silver was looking for a buyer for the film. People who’ve seen the film say it’s not bad at all. But as Warners goes through the arduous process of absorbing two dozen or so New Line films into its distribution system, the studio simply has too many movies to release, so it’s starting to pick out the weak calves from the herd.

If people say the film is not bad why is it considered one of the ‘weak calves’? Well the LA Times spoke with Warners chief Alan Horn, and he had this to say,

“I think it’s a well-made picture, but while it’s funny in spots, it’s very English,” he said. “I don’t think it’s broadly commercial. It feels like a film that deserves a spirited release, but not a wide one. Joel has an 800-screen deal, which we’ll honor, but we might not be willing to spend the marketing money he wants us to.”

So because the film is ‘very english’ Warner Bros don’t know how to go about marketing it and are therefore not willing to spend the money. Producer Joel Silver would rather get another studio to buy and release the film so that it can get a wider release, more than the 800 screens Warner Bros intend.
Being an English person I am a little disgruntled by the fact a movie is considered a ‘weak calf’ just because it is English. Are Gerard Butler and Thandie Newton not big enough actors in the States to promote a film? Or is this a case of the big movie studio thinking the American public won’t be interested in a film not set in America with American actors, when in fact they may be?

USA people give me your thoughts on RocknRolla! Below is the trailer to remind you how English it is: 

Comments

[roguem.livejournal.com]

I think you have the right attitude.
I'm looking forward to the Twilight movie, but trying to keep my expectations as low as possible.

I'm hoping it will. I guess if it took the Potter date over here as well I guess we'd either get it in November like you guys, or December. I doubt they'll do anything over here though.

I did get it, and I've finished reading it.
What did you think of it?
I seem to be among the minority that liked it.

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

I did get it, and I've finished reading it.
What did you think of it?
I seem to be among the minority that liked it.

Oh! I absolutely loved it! I know there are people who didn't like certain parts and there were some parts I thought could have been better, but overall, I thought it was wonderful. I think the only thing I really didn't like was the name Renesmee. LOL I know Stephenie Meyer was trying to honor Bella's and Edward's mothers, but that name is simply awful.

I don't know if I should mention very much here because there may be people who read your LJ and don't want to see spoilers.

[roguem.livejournal.com]

I wasn't to fond of the name either, but I understood the choice.