Heath Ledger has helped propel "The Dark Knight" to the top of the boxoffice. His presence might have a less beneficial effect on his next and final film, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus."

For U.S. distributors, the quirky Terry Gilliam film -- centering on parallel worlds, a theater troupe and a devil-dealing 1,000-year-old doctor -- presents a conundrum. On the one hand, it's a chance for the history-making opportunity -- not to mention a marketing coup -- of releasing Ledger's last movie. But it also comes with challenges that lately have followed the stubbornly noncommercial Gilliam. The director has been behind a series of boxoffice flops and hasn't had a hit since "Twelve Monkeys" in 1995. Buyers who might otherwise be willing to shell out for a Ledger film are holding back.

I'm sure fans of the late actor have a lot to say about that!

I was impressed by Heath's performance as the Joker in the record-breaking The Dark Knight, but actually I'm more excited about his role in The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnasus. I love indie films and among the most imaginative and original filmmakers in the indie scene is Terry Gilliam. The no-nonsense director is not keen towards publicity and is quite frank about his opinions of Hollywood and the ways of the big studios. He's considered as a 'pain the ass' by many. Says the filmmaker in an altogether different topic (but so appropriate for this article, it seems):

Are people able to think for themselves or are they so overwhelmed by buzz words, manufactured fears, sensationalized reality that they have lost touch with life? Can they see beyond the surface?

As a fan, I don't think I would care if they decided to release and distribute the movie this year or the next, or even decided not to do a theatrical release at all. I would be one to participate in any rally or event that would bring some noise for the movie's release. Also, in any case, I would simply buy the DVD and enjoy the movie in the comforts of my room.

The article continues:

Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law stepped in to the Ledger role after the actor died in January, with the script tweaked to reflect a shapeshifting element that allowed for other actors to play his role. The trio, who have said that they're donating their fees to Ledger's family, took over, as shooting moved from the U.K. to Vancouver.

The prospect of getting involved with three marketable stars makes for a relative bargain for a buyer, who might pay low-seven figures for domestic rights but get an eight-figure level of promotable talent.

But even that troika might not be enough.

Not enough. Right! Movie fans have their ways of making waves and I think many are quite taken by this selfish gesture. There are times when the collective demands of moviefans ought to be heard and that time is now!

[ tMF Film Focus: The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnasus ] [ The Joys of Independent Filmmaking by Terry Gilliam ]

- - -

x

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Hits: 654

Comments (5)

...

I can't imagine Heath Ledger fans not rallying for this film, indie or not. And I'd heard about Depp, Law, and Farrell taking on the role after Heath's passing, but not about them donating their pay to Heath's family. That's very sweet.

In addition to Heath's still hard-core fans, surely the fans of the other three big name actors would push for a wider release. I can't believe anyone would think that 'wouldn't be enough.' I'll rally for the movie...and I'm sure I'm not alone.



On a completely different note...but yet not too far off. I didn't realize this was a Terry Gilliam film. Robert Pattinson mentioned once how he admires Terry's works, and that he's a director he would love to work with...Interesting how things stick in your brain, and then you learn more about the subject or in this case, person.

blearyeyedmesgirl , August 20, 2008 | url

...

This movie has so many things going for it. I know I shouldn't be surprised that distrubutors are being so short sighted, since it's just history repeating itself...but I am.

That Gilliam quote is too perfect!

kellagood , August 20, 2008

Gilliam a liability

If you watch Lost in La Mancha you see what a liability Terry Gilliam really is. I pity any of his assistant directors.

Kate , August 21, 2008

...

It would be a travesty if many of us couldn't get to see this film! Many of us from tMF admin including myself are big fans of Heath Ledger, and it would be quite disappointing if we couldn't see Heath's last film.

Surprisingly incase some may not know, it has been picked up by distributors in other countries like the UK and Europe I seem to remember reading a news release on Variety or THR just a few months ago. Obviously, it's US distributors that are weary about a Gilliam film. You would think that the fact that you have some big name actors like Heath, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, and Jude Law, that that would somehow outweigh things sort of speak.

I would be one to participate in any rally or event that would bring some noise for the movie's release.

I too would definately rally for this film as well! Perhaps fans of Gilliam and Heath Ledger that visit us here could perhaps in some little way or gesture, post on its IMDb message boards, on its official website when it opens, on the Terry Gilliam Dreams fansite messageboard, and even show your support for this movie for fans of Gilliam and Heath to see this by writing a comment in the above Hollywood Reporter article. I plan on sprinkling myself on some of these mentioned sites in support of this film, to hopefully get the chance to see this. Naturally, I know it all comes down to profits and making money, but the US distributors can't be that stupid not to realize that there are MANY fans of Heath that want to see this being his last film. It should also speak volumes to distributors that an A list actor like Johnny Depp WANT's to be in a Gilliam movie. It makes you shake your head knowing some of the crappy and mindless movies that US distributors do pick up. Gilliam also speaks alot of the truth regarding the film industry, and I'm sure it's not taken too kindly, lol.

Here are some of the above mentioned sites to show your support:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1054606/

http://doctorparnassus.com/

http://www.philstubbs.com/drea.../teemz.cgi

Jan , August 21, 2008 | url

...

I am actually really intrigued by this movie and want to see it, in any form like you mentioned. In saying that, I think there are enough fans of Heath and the other big names involved to hopefully get a good release. I hope that people will make enough noise for this as I think it deserves its shot.

lifeisfast , August 21, 2008

Write comment

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Add Comment Preview