There's an old saying that those who love sausages or the law should never watch either being made. Deals and problems between film companies are usually to be counted in the same group, but just occasionally the behind-the-scenes shenanigans affect the movies we’re waiting to see. Take today for example, and the fact that Disney has just pulled the plug on releasing two films: John Madden’s **The Debt **and Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, which Guillermo del Toro co-wrote and has been shepherding as producer.
According to the LA Times’ sources, the problem stems from the fact that both titles are holdovers from Miramax and, because the Mouse House is selling off that chunk of the company, it doesn’t want to shoulder the cost of releasing movies that it no longer owns.
Del Toro, talking to the paper, admits he was a little blindsided. "It's been 13 years trying to make this movie, and we finally make it," he says. "It's quite shocking. I am trying to see the silver lining in this." It’s especially surprising since Disney had already started a push for Dark, particularly at this year’s Comic-Con, where it screened footage and had Del Toro himself plus director Troy Nixey at a panel to promote the movie.
And as for The Debt, which boasts the likes of Helen Mirren, Ciaran Hinds and Sam Worthington in a thriller plot about Mossad agents hunting a Nazi? The first trailers had already started appearing in advance of the film’s December 31 release across the pond.
All is not lost: it’s not like Disney has shoved either into a dark dungeon never to be seen again. The two films are being sold to Filmyard Holdings, the company buying Miramax for $660 million. Which means it will be looking for distribution partners for both movies, but probably not until later next year, which is a real blow for anyone anticipating either film.