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RocknRolla Too English For Warner Bros
Aug. 14th, 2008 09:18 pmSometimes 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,
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,
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?
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:
