typed from my copy of Entertainment Weekly December 16, 2005:
quote:
There is a long and murky saga that explains why Hollywood hadn't yet turned Wardrobe into a movie, aside from a 1979 made-for-TV cartoon. Said saga is headlined by producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, who during the 1990's gave it a shot with assorted filmmakers at different studios, but were undermined by various factors: expense; inadequate F/X; and, according to whispers, disagreements with Lewis' estate over creative choices. Bottom line: no movie.
But in November 2001, after regaining the film rights, the C.S. Lewis Co. was approached by Walden Media, a young, independent company, focused on family entertainment and funded by billionaire mogul Philip Anschutz, known for his Christian faith and conservative politics. Walden was searching for a biz-driving, brand-defining franchise, and they had a sweet and sweeping pitch for Wardrobe: a hefty budget. A faithful adaptation, a calculated stratagem designed to please all of Wardrobe's fans, Christian and otherwise. And a Wardrobe-derived educational initiative that would expose Narnia to new generations of readers. The cash must have been enticing too: a reported $70 million for all seven books.
Walden got the rights, and shortly thereafter, it had a director.
Well, well...
our own Colorado billionaire, Philip Anschutz saved the day on this movie, eh?
Funny thing, I have bashed that man several times on this forum...I used to work for one of his many corporations in the 1990's. Scandals abounded at that time due to mismanagement of funds...he got off scott free so to speak...he was forced to pay a small 1 million dollar fine stipulated to go to his favorite charity...tax deductible of course.
Maybe I should take back all those nasty things I said about him (without naming his name), since this magazine says he is a Christian and all.
But really what is most important is that this movie was made, right?
And also the fact that I won't have to drive clear across town to avoid the plethora of United Artists theatres owned by his Regal Entertainment Group. I won't feel guilty any more plucking out the $7.25 at one of his 100's of theatres. That will save some gas.
Sounds like getting off scott free was wrong. Christian or no christian, if you do something wrong, you should pay for it - and not in a tax deductible way. Like always, the rich just keep getting richer and the poor get poorer....
it stinks.
"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." - Carrie Bradshaw
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort" - Paulo Coehlo
Live your life like it's your last day on earth
Life is not how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away.
Man, do you remember when it was $3.50 for matinee and $5.50 for general? Even then we're all DAMN FIVE FITTTY?
"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." - Carrie Bradshaw
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort" - Paulo Coehlo
Live your life like it's your last day on earth
Life is not how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away.
"I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love." - Carrie Bradshaw
"The danger of an adventure is worth a thousand days of ease and comfort" - Paulo Coehlo
Live your life like it's your last day on earth
Life is not how many breaths you take, but how many moments take your breath away.
illuminate said this in post #3 : Sounds like getting off scott free was wrong. Christian or no christian, if you do something wrong, you should pay for it - and not in a tax deductible way. Like always, the rich just keep getting richer and the poor get poorer....
it stinks.
I know alot about this man and have alot of adjectives for him, but "Christian" is not one of them....
this is merely a publicity stunt....I mean come on, what would all the Christians do if they knew the rights to the Narnia series were owned by such a man?
No, this was merely a business deal for him.
I know way too many folks who were planning on retiring, but now cannot because their 401K's and stock options were stolen by this man and his son-in-law.
Besides, how many Christians do you know have the number of bodyguards that I cannot even count on one hand?
Why would such a man and also his son-in-law need so many damn bodyguards?
Yeah we have the matinees. But I work until 5:30 during the week, rarely see a movie during the week anyway, then always go at night on the weekend. Not that paying for it is an issue, I have connections through just about every theater around these parts. There was about a three year span that I didn't spend one dime. Them were the good ol' days.
12-15-2005 03:28 AM
