Hold up there...
Okay, hold up there on that Disney-dumping- Apocalypto thing. At least until you consider the view of another connected distribution guy who called back this afternoon and said he hasn't heard anything about Mel Gibson's film being quietly offered to other distributors, and "you'd think I'd be hearing something." But then you never know with Disney, he added, because "they're so crazy." He emphasized, in any case, that it would be awfully expensive for Disney if they tried to get rid of Apocalypto because Icon, Gibson's production company, is "very tough" and would insist upon Disney paying very heavy financial penalities if they pulled out. Take this with another grain.
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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 9, 2006 at 4:24 PM
comment #1
Daniel Zelter says ...
How much could Apocalypto cost them at most? $40 million? I'd take the hit. Better than it flopping like The Fountain.
Posted by Daniel Zelter at August 9, 2006 4:52 PM
comment #2
T. H. Ung says ...
Daniel, isn't the question being posed here now, is how much Icon would demand from Disney to get out, and not how much ICON PAID OUT OF ITS OWN COFERS to pay for the production of Apo?
Posted by T. H. Ung at August 9, 2006 4:58 PM
comment #3
T. H. says ...
Icon is notoriously tough, but Disney is notoriously cheap. If TMZ could just get there hands on that distribution deal between Icon and Diz, we'd just have to index finger down to the Right to Assign paragraph.
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 5:03 PM
comment #4
Daniel Zelter says ...
I think Mel should just release it in international markets first, since the subject would sell better there, anyway.
Posted by Daniel Zelter at August 9, 2006 5:11 PM
comment #5
t. h. says ...
IMHO. Disney is asking themselves if there's upside potential (i.e. can they make any money?) because ICON retained international, Diz only got domestic distrib. Being that Diz is cheap, and A-poc was a hard sell, with other distribs turning it down, Diz may have negotiated that some or all of it's out of pocket is recoupable off the top, so it takes a lot of the risk of losing money out of the equation for Diz, because we all know how expensive prints and advertising and moving prints around really is.
Further more I just read Daniel's post, if anything, ICON is contractually required to deliver a movie to Diz, but Diz has a right to assign. Again, IMHO.
Posted by t. h. at August 9, 2006 5:18 PM
comment #6
JoJo says ...
I love it when people who have no knowledge of distribution deals come on here and start spouting "knowledge"...
Posted by JoJo at August 9, 2006 5:34 PM
comment #7
T. H. says ...
Daniel, to use you train of thought, if ICON doesn't think they can make any money off of A-poc, they could look for remedy and see how much it'll cost them not to deliver a movie to Diz. Icon reportedly has spent less than 50 mil on production, they got more to spend now on post and if they need any pick up shots on a stage or insert shots, etc. If Diz gets to recoup a lot of it's expenses, this could be a loss for ICON. Don't think Icon isn't asking themselves how much they stand to lose on this project.
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 5:34 PM
comment #8
T. H. says ...
Your turn JoJo. Everybody makes money, it's easy, right? If you know so much, Mark Cuban's holding a contest and awarding the winner with a job.
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 5:43 PM
comment #9
Wrecktum says ...
Icon is making the movie completely on its own. They are calling (literally) ALL the shots. All Disney can do at this point is wait for the film to be delivered, book theaters and send out prints. There is very little downside to Disney's deal. They're out the cost of acquisition, P&A and a percentage of rental. Sure there's a risk, but not too much considering how much Mel's out of pocket down in Mexico.
As for "you never know with Disney, he added, because 'they're so crazy.'" Considering that Buena Vista is one of the most respected teams in the business, this sounds like sour grapes more than anything.
Posted by Wrecktum at August 9, 2006 7:03 PM
comment #10
allen says ...
most respected, and very little balls
Posted by allen at August 9, 2006 7:35 PM
comment #11
T. H. says ...
Allen, it's so interesting to read this old Variety article and see how so much has changed.
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117926351?categoryid=10&cs=1
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 8:25 PM
comment #12
Wrecktum says ...
"most respected, and very little balls"
Meaning?
Posted by Wrecktum at August 9, 2006 8:57 PM
comment #13
T. H. says ...
Meaning that if they had any they wouldn't hesitate to release it. And with all due respect Wrecktum, you make it sound so layde-da, you roll out a movie with no marketing plan in play long ahead. You make it sound like Icon delivers via Fed Ex and Diz/TT/BV just process it through their system. How much did Clerks II gross? Less than the cost of prints on A-poc's are gonna cost.
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 9:27 PM
comment #14
Wrecktum says ...
They aren't hesitating to release it. An aggressive marketing campaign is already in the works. A new trailer will be out shortly. The plan is to go out in thousands of theatres. What the hell are you talking about??
Posted by Wrecktum at August 9, 2006 9:30 PM
comment #15
Anonymous says ...
Where are you getting your information from?
Posted by Anonymous at August 9, 2006 9:36 PM
comment #16
Nick says ...
Fuck all the talk, I've wanted to see this flick since it was first announced, Mel became the most daring and crazy filmmaker taking INSANE risks since Passion was a hit. I'm planning on seeing this one no less than three times, just to support a filmmaker with balls and I hope there are people out there that share my opinion.
Posted by Nick at August 9, 2006 11:22 PM
comment #17
Adam says ...
Daniel, I wasn't aware that The Fountain flopped, considering it hasn't been released yet.
Sheesh.
Posted by Adam at August 9, 2006 11:28 PM
comment #18
T. H. says ...
Nick, your enthusiasm is infectious, why not start a myspace campaign to boycott the next PieRatsOTC if Diz doesn't do right by A-Pac?
Posted by T. H. at August 9, 2006 11:34 PM
comment #19
The King says ...
I don't give a fuck who releases it, I just want to see it NOW!
Posted by The King at August 10, 2006 12:57 AM
comment #20
zoey says ...
I'll admit I know nothing about distribution deals, but if Disney's shareholders want Disney to go back to promoting the "brand" that they are known for... animation, family movies, franchise actioners, etc.... where would Apocalypto fit in that? I want to see this movie like right now! Was hooked by the one sheet. But I think there is more downside for Disney to distribute with the baggage attached to this movie than for most other studios.
Posted by zoey at August 10, 2006 4:52 AM
comment #21
Anonymous says ...
Right, Daniel. The Fountain flopped. Now wipe your oatmeal off your chin and finished eating.
Posted by Anonymous at August 10, 2006 6:45 AM
comment #22
Rossi says ...
Daniel's comment about The Founatin is absurd. Internet posters with such clear agendas are really bizarre to me. What a ridiculous attempt to try to create negative buzz for a movie that hasn't been released.
Posted by Rossi at August 10, 2006 8:12 AM
comment #23
Rossi says ...
Daniel's comment about The Fountain is absurd. Internet posters with such clear agendas are really bizarre to me. What a ridiculous attempt to try to create negative buzz for a movie that hasn't yet been released.
Posted by Rossi at August 10, 2006 8:13 AM
comment #24
Chuck says ...
Rossi-
As Daniel proved in his consistently ridiculous comments about Ratner a week or so ago, anyone who aspires to make anything that isn't pedestrian is subject to ridicule or failure. Aronofsky can now be added to the esteemed league of great filmmakers that Daniel Zelter dislikes.
Posted by Chuck at August 10, 2006 8:42 AM