Weinstein's Move 'The Road' to November 25
And the dance continues...
The first question that came to mind once I was told Dimension Films had decided to move John Hillcoat's The Road — starring Viggo Mortensen and adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cormac McCarthy novel — from its October 16 release date to November 25 is What about Nine?
Nine, the musical adaptation of the stage play directed by Rob Marshall (Chicago) was already slated for November 25, is a Weinstein feature and is also a heavy Oscar favorite. Of course, Nine is most likely looking at a puny New York and Los Angeles release in November followed by expanding dates in December, which pretty much alleviates any real kind of competition and proves my query moot.
So, as it stands, the move now pits The Road up against The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Ninja Assassin and Old Dogs with Disney's The Princess and the Frog also getting a limited release with plans to expand nationwide on December 11.
Based on the trailer (included in this post) it would appear The Road and Ninja Assassin are going for the same audience even though the material differs drastically, which does make the move slightly curious with Dimension and the Weinstein Co. doing everything they can to add more and more money to their coffers.
In an article at Variety, Ali Jaafar says the studio is planning a multi-layered marketing operation for The Road, targeted at both fans of McCarthy's book and audiences fascinated by the more ghoulish aspects of the tale such as the hordes of cannibal killers roaming the barren landscape. If you ask me they are overestimating audience anticipation for the "ghoulish" aspects and forgetting the fact everyone knows who Cormac McCarthy is following No Country for Old Men and should really be pushing that angle more than anything.
The Road is set to be released in 1,200 to 1,500 locations.
Early reviews for the film out of film festivals range from excited to bored, and everything in-between. You can check out said reviews by clicking on any of the links below and I have five clips from the post-apocalyptic nightmare right here should you be so inclined.
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"If you ask me they are overestimating audience anticipation for the "ghoulish" aspects and forgetting the fact everyone knows who Cormac McCarthy is following No Country for Old Men and should really be pushing that angle more than anything."
I think this is where you might be wrong. Most American's have likely never heard the name, Cormac McCarthy before – and they are obviously hitting on more horror elements for fans of that particular genre….don't you think?
I'm feeling really uneasy about "The Road." Not so much about it being a good movie–I'm pretty sure it's going to be at least competent, if nothing else. No, I'm more worried that it'll completely fail at the box office. Weinstein has a habit of ruining movies' chances at any real popularity. The studio throws them here and there and back and forth across the release slate (though more back than forth), and by the time the film finally comes out, sometimes years later than planned, all the initial buzz has died, and the movie flops.
Brad, please tell me that the release of 1,200 to 1,500 theatres is a miss print or maybe a starting point. At that rate it will never get to where im at or make any cash. Not smart by TWC, again.
@Joel: Nope, that's from the Variety article I linked to. However, depending on the reception it could expand.
well im officially pissed. I've been following this since it started filming{like most fans} and to see another delay after reading great reviews from the film festivals. And to put it into a horrible release date that is overcrowded as is. Anger is the word here. But I guess I can wait another month, not happily though
This blows!!
Hopefully it will still be at the London Film Festival at the end of October
The Weinstein's are completely out of their mind!!!! This movie is not about horrors but about a sharing of love between a man and his son. It was received to standing ovations in Venice and Telluride.
The W's are again underestimating the intelligence of the American people. How sad that this fantastic movie had to come under the inept hands of these people.
If they would stop thinking with their wallets, and trying to make a splash of themselves it would be best.
Viggo Mortensen is totally magnificent in this role and Kodi Smit-Mcfee is a treasure.
Give them a chance for heaven's sake.