Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Feb 18, 2016 20:22:39 GMT -6
www.fangoria.com/new/will-alchemys-financial-woes-hurt-rob-zombies-31/
Last last night, news broke over at Deadline that distributor Alchemy had slashed its staff by almost 50% over the past week, shortly after they cut a deal with A24 to take over distribution on Cannes favorite THE LOBSTER. Meanwhile, a dark cloud has been cast over the other films in Alchemy’s roster, which include Ben Wheatley’s upcoming crime thriller FREE FIRE, James Franco’s period psychodrama ZEROVILLE and Rob Zombie’s highly anticipated horror offering 31, with rumblings already starting regarding the uncertain futures of those films.
On one hand, there might not be much to worry about: with THE LOBSTER sold and other prestige pictures on Alchemy’s plate potentially selling, Alchemy could certainly bring in enough to usher in the release of 31, a film with a guaranteed fan base and a name filmmaker attached. Then, there’s always the opportunity for Alchemy to pass the film through their corporate umbrella to help bolster a brand from within, such as the fantastic folks at XLrator Media or Vertical Releasing. In that case, Zombie and his fervent fan base would have nothing to worry about regarding the film, which premiered just last month at Sundance and is still planned for a 2016 release date.
On the other hand, however, Alchemy’s breaking financial troubles means anything can happen, and there are already chatter that Lionsgate may have already started talks to acquire the film from the distributor. If so, it would be another indicator of Lionsgate’s renewed interest in the horror genre, following the SAW: LEGACY news and their release of LEATHERFACE later this year. But above all, it’d put Lionsgate back into the Rob Zombie business, which would also go in line with Zombie’s cryptic social media posts about potentially reviving the Firefly Clan in a future film. If the chatter appears to be true, the remaining question would be if the extremely gory film would be given a proper theatrical release or would be another high profile project to go day-and-date via Lionsgate Premiere, which has already released JESSABELLE, COOTIES and KNOCK KNOCK. Stay tuned for more on 31 and Rob Zombie as it breaks here at FANGORIA.com!
Last last night, news broke over at Deadline that distributor Alchemy had slashed its staff by almost 50% over the past week, shortly after they cut a deal with A24 to take over distribution on Cannes favorite THE LOBSTER. Meanwhile, a dark cloud has been cast over the other films in Alchemy’s roster, which include Ben Wheatley’s upcoming crime thriller FREE FIRE, James Franco’s period psychodrama ZEROVILLE and Rob Zombie’s highly anticipated horror offering 31, with rumblings already starting regarding the uncertain futures of those films.
On one hand, there might not be much to worry about: with THE LOBSTER sold and other prestige pictures on Alchemy’s plate potentially selling, Alchemy could certainly bring in enough to usher in the release of 31, a film with a guaranteed fan base and a name filmmaker attached. Then, there’s always the opportunity for Alchemy to pass the film through their corporate umbrella to help bolster a brand from within, such as the fantastic folks at XLrator Media or Vertical Releasing. In that case, Zombie and his fervent fan base would have nothing to worry about regarding the film, which premiered just last month at Sundance and is still planned for a 2016 release date.
On the other hand, however, Alchemy’s breaking financial troubles means anything can happen, and there are already chatter that Lionsgate may have already started talks to acquire the film from the distributor. If so, it would be another indicator of Lionsgate’s renewed interest in the horror genre, following the SAW: LEGACY news and their release of LEATHERFACE later this year. But above all, it’d put Lionsgate back into the Rob Zombie business, which would also go in line with Zombie’s cryptic social media posts about potentially reviving the Firefly Clan in a future film. If the chatter appears to be true, the remaining question would be if the extremely gory film would be given a proper theatrical release or would be another high profile project to go day-and-date via Lionsgate Premiere, which has already released JESSABELLE, COOTIES and KNOCK KNOCK. Stay tuned for more on 31 and Rob Zombie as it breaks here at FANGORIA.com!