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Reader is Rudin-Less
There's nothing much to add to Patrick Goldstein's story (posted late yesterday afternoon) about powerhouse producer Scott Rudin walking away from The Reader (Weinstein Co., 12.12), the David Hare-scripted WWII drama with Kate Winslet.
I know that Rudin and Reader director Stephen Daldry are allies and amigos, having worked together on The Hours (which was also written by Hare). And that Daldry is pretty much on his own in the rush to finish The Reader in time for the early December release date that Harvey Weinstein has been pushing for all along. On top of which Daldry has also been directing the Billy Elliot musical on Broadway, which is currently in previews.
Rudin has been "embroiled for weeks in a nasty squabble with Weinstein over the release date of the film," Goldstein notes, and "has [finally] decided to quit the project and take his name off the film. The two men have had a very contentious public feud over Weinstein's insistence that the film be released this year for Oscar consideration.
"Rudin and Daldry had insisted they needed more time to finish the picture. After intense negotiations, they eventually agreed late last month that, in return for Weinstein putting up more money for round-the-clock editing, scoring sessions and optical work, Daldry would finish the film in time for a Dec. 12th release.
"In recent days, negotiations had apparently taken a turn for the worse. Upset with Weinstein and worried that many of his long-standing talent relationships would be harmed, Rudin decided to separate himself from the project. Daldry remains contractually obligated to complete the film, though it's uncertain of how he will complete the film without Rudin, a longtime collaborator with both Daldry and Hare.
"There have been constant rumors that the Weinstein Co., whose hits have been few and far between, has financial problems which may have contributed to Rudin's departure. It's also possible that the two men simply can't put their personal differences aside long enough to get the movie into theaters. Whatever the root cause, this is another body blow to The Reader, which loses a strong producer who is always a major force during awards season. Rudin will continue as producer of two other year-end pictures, Revolutionary Road and Doubt."
A trusted Manhattan guy tells me the Weinsteins are relying on producer Donna Gigliotti to be their onsite person as far as working with Daldry and his editing crew on the completion of the film. Except Daldry and the entire team "despise her," "won't deal with her" and "regard her as a [Weinstein] stooge."
Movie production people love their conflict dramas, of course. On any shoot or post-production push people always seem to be spreading the word about this or that person being a stooge or a stopper or an enemy figure of some kind, or at least into giving each other dagger looks. So the Daldry-Gigliotti thing is just another variation on a theme.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 10, 2008 at 8:01 AM
comment #1
T. S. Idiot
says ...
Curious about why Daldry is feeling rushed to complete editing since THE READER has long been scheduled for Dec. release. It's not as if date has suddenly been moved up on him.
From having read both THE READER and REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, I expect READER to be better film or, at least, have more rounded Kate performance.
Posted by T. S. Idiot
at October 10, 2008 9:26 AM
comment #2
Rodrigo
says ...
"The Reader" has NOT "long been scheduled" for a Dec. release, actually. Yes, Weinstein Co. had the film listed as TBA 2008 for some time and most would logically assume a December date given the Oscar pedigree, etc., and the studio did finally announce a tentative, non-specific Dec. release date a few weeks before the media got wind of the Rudin/Weinstein/Daldry scuffle. Daldry feeling rushed to complete the film to the best of his abilities would be legitimate whether or not the release date had been set in stone a long time out, but there has never been a contractual obligation for "The Reader" to be finished in time to compete in the '08 Oscar derby, which is why he's feeling rushed.
Posted by Rodrigo
at October 10, 2008 11:21 AM
comment #3
T. S. Idiot
says ...
I stand corrected.
Posted by T. S. Idiot
at October 10, 2008 11:25 AM
comment #4
lawnorder
says ...
I find this whole READER situation quite amusing. Harvey has no money left to market any of his end of the year films. THE ROAD is supposed to be released November 14 and there is no trailer and one sheet anywhere to be seen. That's about a month away. He has Viggo Mortenson and Charlize Theron in a Cormac McCarthy adaptation. Zip profile.
Then he's got CROSSING OVER supposed to open on December 3 - and there's been nothing either. From what I hear that film has tested extremely well and has some amazing performances. Most of all, it's Harrison Fucking Ford. How do you allow a Harrison Ford film to drop under the radar with zero marketing and publicity? And the subject matter of immigration is always a hot topic.
My only answer to the above is that he's out of cash. He must feel that THE READER is more of a slamdunk Oscar opportunity and that's why he's pushing it, but it smells like he's using the marketing $$ from the above two mentioned films to complete THE READER and maybe pushing the other two films into 09. It's a fucking shame because I want to see both THE ROAD and CROSSING OVER far more than I want to see THE READER - which probably won't make Weinstein ten cents at the end of the day.
Posted by lawnorder
at October 10, 2008 1:52 PM
comment #5
Jack Price
says ...
I trust that if Scott Rudin believes more time would help the film, he's not just being overly cautious. Too bad, seeing as I wouldn't want the final product to be compromised if there's a chance it could be pretty special.
Also, any word on who is handling distribution on Margaret? If it's being held this long, are the powers that be still hopeful that it could turn out well, or is it just a matter of not knowing how to handle it?
Posted by Jack Price
at October 10, 2008 2:07 PM
comment #6
TedM
says ...
In addition to the scenario Rodrigo mentions, Daldry is currently working on the Broadway musical version of "Billy Elliott" (with music by Elton John). Yes, the show has already been done in London, but much of the cast in NYC is new -- including the 3 boys alternating in the lead role. One article I read said that Daldry's contract vis a vis THE READER allowed him a certain period of time off to concentrate on the stage show -- and that the Weinsteins were also investors in the musical as well. By pushing the release date in the hope of Oscars -- a dicey thing given Harvey W.'s recent track record since leaving Miramax -- he's putting undue pressure on the director. That was the crux of Rudin's arguments with Weinstein.
Posted by TedM
at October 10, 2008 4:39 PM
comment #7
great scott
says ...
Harvey Weinstein is such an Oscar whore it makes me sick. If the movie is rushed, it won't be as good as it could've been and won't get any nominations anyway.
Posted by great scott
at October 11, 2008 11:50 AM
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