The Two-Minute Verdict
When Will Heath Ledger's Last Film Find a U.S. Distributor?
Don’t be fooled by this fancy trailer and Lionsgate logo: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus still hasn’t been set for a U.S. release date. It’s been ages since the film’s Cannes premiere and yet no studio has picked it up, though we’ve heard rumors that there may be some domestic release news soon. Until that day comes, Lionsgate’s produced an international trailer for the film that leaves us scratching our heads.
It’s not the quality of the film (which may be a mishmash) or the cut of the trailer that stymies us — it’s the reinforcement of all the movie’s marketable qualities, which seem to belie its orphan status. Aside from the audience’s inherent curiosity about Ledger’s last film role, you’ve got Johnny Depp and a sea of expensive-looking (though resolutely artificial) special effects. A 30-second spot would practically sell itself, and as a period on Ledger’s filmography, a healthy afterlife in rentals seems assured. So what’s everyone waiting for?
VERDICT: We’re curious. Are we the only ones?
More interviews
- Emilie de Ravin on Remember Me and the Learning Curve of Lost
- Bong Joon-ho: The Movieline Interview
- Kelly Killoren Bensimon on Real Housewives of NYC and Her 'Joan Collins Moment' with Bethenny
- Johnny Weir Talks to Movieline About Skating Politics, Lady Gaga and Life After the Olympics
- Robert Pattinson Talks to Movieline About Risk, Reward and Remember Me
Lost
American Idol
Oscars
Lists
Obsessive compulsive: all topics, one link!
Lost American Idol Oscars Lists
Past Virtual Newsstands
More reviews, scored
More in An Alan Smithee Column
- 5 Lessons We Learned From Last Night's Oscars
- The Only Oscar Preview Infographic You Need
- 23 Questions About Lost Episode 606 'Sundown', Answered!
- Some Helpful Advice For Jay Leno On His First Night Back At The Tonight Show
- Movieline Justice Dept.: Suggested Punishments For The Hurt Locker's Oscar Campaign Violations
More videos
About | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Information | mail.com | Hollywood Life | Deadline Hollywood
Copyright © 2009 Movieline LLC All rights reserved.
Posted 11 Aug 2009, 12:32 PM
That was certainly a quixotic trailer, and I agree this film is going to do well when released just based on Heath Ledger alone. I guess it must be fun watching Terry Gilliam squirm.
Posted 11 Aug 2009, 1:58 PM
Haha, we all know what happened the last time Terry Gilliam got quixotic. Just ask Johnny Depp.
Posted 11 Aug 2009, 2:02 PM
...
If this film does not get picked up by a North American distributor I will gladly take a trip to the UK to see it in a theatre.
Stupid, stupid Hollywood...
...
Posted 12 Aug 2009, 9:31 AM
Well, when it does make it to the U.S., I'll be there, simply for the reason that I never miss a Tom Waits movie. Why else would I have sat through Domino?