Grindhouse to split for re-release

As far as the overseas release plans for Grindhouse are concerned, the Weinsteins were always planning to split the flick into two and sell ‘em as solo movies. And now with the underwhelming opening weekend for the double feature behind us, it looks like they night want to do the same thing over here.
As much as I really dug the movie(s), I’m not all that surprised at its slow start ($12 million opening weekend) at the box office. A three-hour blood-soaked double feature would be a tough sell on any weekend … let alone one of the Easter variety.
But the Weinsteins have a plan! According to one very thorough and fascinating report, Bob and Harvey are considering a simple plan: Slice Grindhouse up into two movies (they can call ‘em Planet Terror and Death Proof), wait a few weeks/months and then re-release ‘em into the multiplexes — as if people will flock to one $8.00 movie when they just recently refused to go see the flick when it was 2 for $8.00.
Throwing all his ammo into the mix, Mr. Weinstein is thinking about tossing those “missing reels” back into the flicks should they show up in American cinemas again — anything to make a little extra coin back from a fairly expensive project that really stumbled out of the domestic gate. But don’t feel too bad: The movie’s damn good — which is really all that matters to a guy like me — plus between overseas income, video, cable, etc., the Weinsteins are sure to cut a profit eventually. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

16 Springfields to compete to host Simpsons‘ movie

16 of the United States has a city called Springfield in it, but only one will win the chance to premiere The Simpsons Movie this summer!
It sounds like a pretty outlandish promotional plan, but hey, why not get the small town people involved with a movie this … massive? According to our source, Fox has asked the 16 Springfields to lobby on why their town should host the Simpsons flick premiere. Springfield, Illinois, seems to have the inside edge in that they actually have some nuclear power plants.
Springfield, Oregon, might get just a little special treatment, if only because Simpsons creator Matt Groening was born and raised in Portland. Either way, the location of the premiere doesn’t change the fact that The Simpsons Movie opens on July 27th.
(Can that be right? Are there ONLY 16 Springfield in the entire country?? Aha, extra research indicates that there are actually 32 Springfields in the U.S. It’s just that, um, only half of those towns were asked to participate in the promotion. Ouch.) (TMZ.com)

Binder tapped for new Roberts’ movie

Mike Binder, who wrote and directed Reign Over Me, which stars Adam Sandler, has been tapped to adapt Kate Jacobs’ novel The Friday Night Knitting Club for Universal Pictures and producers Christine Peters and Julia Roberts. Roberts will also star in the movie as a single mom running a communal knitting store and raising her teen daughter. When a tragedy occurs, the customers realize they’ve created more than just a knitting club. No director is attached yet. (Hollywood Reporter)

Why Grindhouse tanked

There isn’t one particular reason for the unique project’s failure to win over audiences. Grindhouse debuted this weekend to a slender $11.6 million when many had predicted that the film would open in the $20-million range. Here is a breakdown of what led to QT & RR biggest commercial disappointment.
1. Misleading advertisement
The TV ads worked at explain what a Grindhouse was and that something by that name was being released. However, it failed miserably at giving viewers any idea as to a plot or story for either half. It is great to see two movies for the price of one, but not when you don’t know what you are getting yourself into. This was probably the movie’s biggest mistake.
2. The subject matter
While the concept was explained well, the subject itself may have been to vintage for younger audiences and possibly a bit to clever for the majority of Americans. The film boasted the best reviews of any film currently in the top 10, but still failed to register. A double-horror-feature may have not been wise in a market where countless other genre flicks have bombed, i.e. The Hitcher, The Hills Have Eyes 2 and Dead Silence.
3. Run time
This is a major factor as few are willing to seat in a theater for 191 minutes. Though the film was broken into to feature with a rather tasteful intermission. The sheer length of this film might have been more than moviegoers were willing to handle.
4. Lack of a bankable star
This is probably the least-likely reason as prvious hits from the duo never featured A-listers. Kill Bill Vol.1 & 2 both opened with more $20 million and it was toplined by Uma Thurman. Audiences are more likely to see a movie they know nothing about if it has a star. This could have played a small part in the concept failure this weekend.

Hopkins to be Hitchcock

Sir Anthony Hopkins is slated to add another iconic character to his impressive resume. He’s attached to play legendary director Alfred Hitchcock in a biography of the man.
“I better put on some weight,” Hopkins joked patting his tummy.
The film would center on a short period of Hitchcock’s life but reflect his overall struggles. “It’s about the making of Psycho but it’s not about the making of Psycho such, but how Hitchcock felt such a failure all his life. He felt such a loser all his life. And he had a very troubled relationship with everyone. A very complex man, a very private, quiet man. There are all rumors about his life and his relationship with his wife. I know nothing about the guy but this script is a good script.”
There could be some delays on the project, both legal and artistic. “I think we were supposed to be doing it in May but then they pulled the script back again because they had to check with the Hitchcock estate. And also they wanted to rewrite it again, I don’t know why. I hope they don’t rewrite it out of shape because it was pretty good when I read it.” (Rottentomatoes.com)