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Kate Winslet Oscar Bait Doubles Overnight as Weinsteins Bump Up 'The Reader'
Posted by STV at 4:10 AM on August 29, 2008
The last news we'd heard about Kate Winslet's post-WWII drama The Reader was less than reassuring: While the film ultimately got its first choice of leading lady after a pregnant Nicole Kidman backed out, the successive passings of co-producers Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack left Scott Rudin on his own with the broke-arse Weinsteins to manoeuvre the Oscar push everyone had in mind. Then, as recently as last month, Defamer operatives whispered that The Reader wouldn't make it to 2008 at all, instead landing somewhere of TWC's choosing in 2009 — if it could afford to release it at all.
Today, however, brings renewed optimism from Harvey, who planted a sigh of relief in Variety that The Reader has legs:
After a successful screening in New York of The Reader, the Weinstein Co. has decided to release the film for Oscar contention this year. ...
[G]iven the strong reaction to the test screening, the Weinstein Co. has decided to go full throttle on securing a release date and mobilizing the marketing materials.
We can't say we're holding our breath, but along with Revolutionary Road, Rudin's got both of Winslet's Oscar turns for '08 — plus a wealth of Minghella/Pollack memorial goodwill to spare within the Academy. It's a no-brainer, but still — is this the same "full throttle" that so, ahem, mobilized the Weinsteins' Grace is Gone and Factory Girl? And who would survive a New Year's death-match between Harvey and Rudin if the throttle dies, anyway? So many questions!
[Photo Credit: Flynet Online]
- Minghella-Pollack film eyes Oscar run [Variety]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
kookla
Posted 4:40 AM 29/8/08
Is this a biopic on Barbara Bush as companion piece to Oliver Stone's W?
kookla
litbruin
Posted 4:37 AM 29/8/08
Who's distributing it? their deal with MGM ends this year. MGM's slate for the rest of this year is filled with enough of their BS plus Valkyrie. Plus if Finke is to be believed there might not be an MGM left by January 2009. Will this be another Weinstein release a la I'm Not There? That'll save their company for sure, on all five screens nationwide. These jokers are like a drunk playing Blackjack and hitting on 35. It's over.
litbruin
el smrtmnky
Posted 4:27 AM 29/8/08
she looks like a very slim downed Bill Clinton.
el smrtmnky
Fry_Bread_Power
Posted 4:25 AM 29/8/08
@Victor Ward: I thought she was playing Christopher Walken. Maybe a combo of the two?
Fry_Bread_Power
Victor Ward
Posted 4:16 AM 29/8/08
So, is Kate Winslet playing Michael Caine?
Victor Ward
Kyle Buchanan
Posted 5:25 AM 29/8/08
Was Gloria Stuart busy?
Kyle Buchanan
FuriousD1
Posted 5:20 AM 29/8/08
The Weinsteins still release movies?
When did this happen?
But seriously, Harvey Weinstein isn't even trying anymore, so why do people still work with him?
FuriousD1
blogarsay
Posted 6:49 AM 29/8/08
@Fry_Bread_Power: You stole my joke. That's definitely Christopher Walken.
blogarsay
uncle_wiggly
Posted 9:44 AM 29/8/08
@el smrtmnky: I thought she was doing George Washington.
uncle_wiggly
Dr_Venkman
Posted 11:54 PM 29/8/08
Christopher Walken - definitely.
Dr_Venkman
Miss d
Posted 3:07 PM 30/8/08
Who would of thought that a Martha Stewart bio-pic would be Oscar material...
Miss d