Two of Hollywood’s biggest psychopaths, err heavyweights, Harvey Weinstein and Scott Rudin (once named one of New York’s most insane bosses by Gawker) are at odds over the release date of the film, “The Reader.”
According to the Hollywood Reporter the two titans of film distribution (Weinstein obviously runs the Weinstein Company and ex of Miramax, Rudin is an uber-producer who won the Academy Award last year for producing, “No Country For Old Men”) are at a “intense back-and-forth,” which means both men have at least put in tentative calls to hitmen to see how much it will cost to off one another and to determine the chances of being caught/traced back to.
A romance set in postwar Germany starring Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, our fave Alexandra Maria Lara, directed by Stephen Daldry and currently in post-production, test screenings have apparently gone really well and so Weinstein wants it out in December. However, Rudin is lobbying hard for a 2009 release, probably because he already has, “Revolutionary Road,” and “Doubt” both coming out in December and he doesn’t want to have to work against himself.
But Weinstein could give a fuck as he’s thinking that ‘Reader’ is his only hope for an Oscar this year, aside from maybe Penelope Cruz in “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” and “The Road” which could be a tough sell; the ‘Reader’ has more of the sweeping, Anthony Minghella-like elements that the Academy members love — the late director was one of the original producers, naturally.
Rudin and Weinstein had a similar Daldry clash over “The Hours.” Both producers declined to comment for the THR stories and insiders are undecided who which of the immovable objects will budge. Though one person quoted anonymously says, “Harvey is probably going to win this one, but Scott isn’t going to go down without a fight.” We’re not so sure, you’d probably need to start a marketing awareness campaign soon and so far, most people haven’t heard about “The Reader,” or have it anywhere on their radar for the late-fall schedule.
Lawyers are apparently gathering their weaponry as we speak. Could be an interesting public battle. Nicole Kidman was once attached to star in the film, but dropped out because she became pregnant.