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Battsek Goes Down
Miramax president Daniel Battsek, a good man, has been given the boot. As part of a late September announcement about streamlining/downsizing the company, Disney management stated that Battsek would "continue to oversee all aspects of creative, development, production and business and legal affairs" out of New York. Nikki Finke is reporting that Miramax's NY office will now be closed, and that the whole operation will now move to the Disney lot.
A studio spokesperson told L.A. Times reporter Claudia Eller on 9.24 that "we continue to look at the best way to run our lines of businesses most efficiently." I said in a 9.26 posting that "rhetorical references to 'efficiency' by management are usually cause for concern." So there you go.
Sorry for Daniel -- a longtime supporter and friend of Hollywood Elsewhere -- and for anyone else at Miramax who may also be thrown over the side. It's tough rowing out there.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on October 30, 2009 at 12:05 PM
comment #1
Wrecktem
says ...
If only he released better movies, things may be different. But his track record at MMX is SHIT, so there you go.
Posted by Wrecktem
at October 30, 2009 12:52 PM
comment #2
Gordon27
says ...
Without the Weinsteins, how much does Disney care about Miramax anyway? Don't they have other in-house production companies to cover all that ground?
Posted by Gordon27
at October 30, 2009 12:54 PM
comment #3
The InSneider
says ...
A piece of No Country, a piece of There Will Be Blood, plus The Queen and Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I'd say that's not too shabby, Wrecktum.
Posted by The InSneider
at October 30, 2009 12:57 PM
comment #4
Wrecktem
says ...
So three good movies in four years. You're kidding, right?
Posted by Wrecktem
at October 30, 2009 12:59 PM
comment #5
Stringer Bell
says ...
What's Miramax without the Weinstein's?
Its not even a brand anymore. Most people know Bob & Harvey left.
Posted by Stringer Bell
at October 30, 2009 1:08 PM
comment #6
lawnorder
says ...
Miramax kicked Weinstein Company's ass consistently since the Weinsteins left Disney. And add GONE BABY GONE to that list of great releases. Fuck Disney for selling out the adult film market - and fuck the Weinsteins because the world needs reminding what talentless pricks they are.
Posted by lawnorder
at October 30, 2009 1:24 PM
comment #7
Gordon27
says ...
lawn - I don't dispute the track record of their respective companies, but Disney has brands that it's more associated with that it would rather have making the prestige pictures.
Posted by Gordon27
at October 30, 2009 1:26 PM
comment #8
Colin
says ...
Don't forget Adventureland and part of Revolutionary Road and Doubt as well.
Posted by Colin
at October 30, 2009 1:32 PM
comment #9
The InSneider
says ...
Wrecktum, if TWBB and Diving Bell are only "good" films for you, I don't know what to tell you. Sure Miramax has released some shitty movies. But you can't take away their awards season success and the fact that that success was deserved because the movies were excellent.
Posted by The InSneider
at October 30, 2009 4:38 PM
comment #10
corey3rd
says ...
Sony Classics has a worst ratio than Miramax. Don't see them getting shuttered.
Disney didn't know what to do with Miramax and feared having another Harvey and Bob on their hands if they allowed it to gain a true identity.
New Line and Miramax are now dead. So much for the Dependies in the 21st Century
Posted by corey3rd
at October 30, 2009 4:56 PM
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