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KC
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« Reply #322 on: September 04, 2006, 09:16:54 AM » |
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MC
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« Reply #323 on: September 05, 2006, 10:46:46 AM » |
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Another Variety article... http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleid=VR1117949444&categoryid=19&cs=1Clint Eastwood's career has always defied the Hollywood rules, but his latest project is an anomaly within that anomaly.
There is no rule book to follow for the marketing and publicity execs at Warner Bros. and Paramount who are charged with opening his two Iwo Jima films. Even the rollout campaign is still being worked out.
Execs believe it's critical that the two movies be released within a short time of each other in the U.S. and Japan. However, they don't want the films to crowd each other out.
"Each movie needs its own space. It can't be seen as a stunt," one marketing vet says. Eastwood began showing "Flags" to key studio suits late last week. Two weeks ago, his production company Malpaso released the first trailer, which was a combination of footage from both films.
Warner Bros. Intl. execs are working hard on the overseas campaign, but believe Japanese auds will embrace both films because of their ultimate message.
"It's the first time an American director has shown Japan defending its homeland without being the aggressor," one Warners suit says. Eastwood also wrote an open letter that is now posted on the official Japanese Web site plugging the two films. In mid-August, Warners Japan took out ads in 18 Japanese newspapers reprinting the letter.
It says, among other things, "Those who lose their lives in war, on both sides, are fully deserving of honor and respect. These two films are my tribute to them. Through these films that tell the story (of Iwo Jima) from both the U.S. and Japanese sides, I hope that you will be able to see a new perspective on an era that the people of both countries share -- and has made a deep impression on their hearts."
"Flags" was adapted by Paul Haggis from the bestselling book by James Bradley and Ron Powers. It follows the six U.S. Marines who raised the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima, resulting in one of the most iconic photographs of World War II.
Eastwood came up with the idea for "Letters" while in the midst of shooting "Flags." He became interested in the story of Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, who led the Japanese troops at Iwo Jima.
Warner Bros. Intl., which had gotten the greenlight to do local production in Japan, liked the concept. WB Intl. exec VP Richard Fox and William Ireton, head of Warners' Japan arm, were among those who arranged to have Kuribayashi's diary and letters translated for Eastwood.
Eastwood talked to Haggis about also penning "Letters." Haggis suggested a Japanese screenwriter be brought aboard. Eastwood hired Iris Yama$#!ta, with Haggis getting a story credit.
DreamWorks and Warner Bros. equally co-financed and co-produced both films.
The Japanese-language pic bows Dec. 9 in Japan. Warners hasn't set a U.S. release date, but buzz is that the studio could mount a qualifying awards run in December before going wide domestically early in the year.
Early opinion on the films is strong, but in awards season, would the films be competing or complementary? And which studio gets bragging rights?
"Flags" is without doubt the bigger movie, costing under $55 million, while "Letters" cost under $15 million. "Letters" arguably has the bigger star in Ken Watanabe, while "Flags" toplines Ryan Phillippe, Adam Beach and Barry Pepper.
One exec who worked on the project acknowledges the challenges, but has nothing but admiration for Eastwood. "He's 76 years old, and he rose to a challenge that most guys couldn't get out of bed to do. And he does it with such ease," says one exec who worked on the project.
"Nothing ruffles him. He's not histrionic. He does his job and is efficient. He comes in under budget. Some days, he even stops shooting at noon. He's doesn't wake up every morning worrying about what table he's going to get at the Grill." |
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Brendan
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« Reply #324 on: September 06, 2006, 03:16:53 PM » |
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DarkHorizons.com:Flags of Our Fathers: Paramount has confirmed that the official trailer will appear exclusively on Military.com starting September 8th and until Monday 11th.
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eastwood1974
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my mule dont like people laughing!
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« Reply #325 on: September 08, 2006, 05:09:14 AM » |
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eastwood1974
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my mule dont like people laughing!
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« Reply #326 on: September 08, 2006, 01:41:05 PM » |
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MWB
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I'm a llama!
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« Reply #334 on: September 11, 2006, 08:35:20 AM » |
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