Dustin Hoffman mad at Disney

[Annie Hall]

I think that it's great for Dustin Hoffman to do this, especially since he is such a big name in Hollywood. What do you guys think?

imdb.com (http://us.imdb.com/PeopleNews/)
Hollywood A-lister Dustin Hoffman is furious with mega studio Disney for failing to promote his latest film adequately. The veteran Oscar winner stars in Moonlight Mile, which is loosely on the life of writer/director/producer Brad Silberling, who saw his girlfriend Rebecca Schaeffer killed by an obsessed fan in 1989. The $20 million dollar film was pulled from American screens in December after only recouping some $7 million. Hoffman rages, "Disney dumped it. They didn't even watch it. There was no advertising. I think it really hurt Brad. That's why I am here...to support a piece of work that I am really proud of."

[edonline]

I can see both sides to the problem here. On one hand, if Disney (or any company for that matter) feels that a movie will not do a make a lot of money for them, why should they spend even more money to promote it. On the other hand, if they had little faith in the project when it was finished, why greenlight it in the first place? Personally, if I was an actor who had devoted a considerable time making a movie, I would expect the studio to do some promotional work.

[Scarface98.9]

Good for Hoffman to do this. The Jungle Book 2 got more promotion that Moonlight, and that's DTV fare. I figure Moonlight would deserve more attention (although I haven't seen it). Disney hasn't been marketing the right movies, especially with them dumping Spirited Away, and that's still kicking ass in the award circuit

[Nate6]

Hmmmm...I agree with edonline on this one. I mean, Disney is the company spending money to release the film. If they don't feel that the film will do well financially, why should they spend money promoting it? It doesn't grow on trees, and the economy is down across the board. I also think Hoffman is wrong on the ad front, I personally saw plenty of ads for it. They've had some changing of the guard over there, the guy who greenlit is probably not the same guy in charge at the time of its release. But don't quote me on that one. Of course, it could have had a little wider release, it would have probably made some more money, and honestly, if I were Hoffman, I'd be miffed too. But, you know, Hollywood is Hollywood...

[James Logan]

Go Dustin! Fight for it! Fight, fight, fight, fight, fight! You probably won't get jack shit out of it -- I mean, how can he convince Disney to come back on their decision, huh? the flick just doesn't make money -- but he's right to fight for his work. Fight fight fight!

[A.J. Hakari]

I'm with Dustin here. I've yet to see MOONLIGHT MILE, and even if there are those who hate the picture, I know plenty of people who saw it in advance and loved it to pieces. But Disney's marketing was poor as hell; I don't recall seeing a single commercial on TV for it.

[Nate6]

Originally posted by Adam J. Hakari
I don't recall seeing a single commercial on TV for it.

Well, I do. That's why I think Hoffman's being whiny. But hell, it's all location, where you are perhaps the ads weren't so prevalent. So many sides to a story, I guess.

[Michael_myers]

Disney's marketing sucks, I can understand that. Treasure Planet and so many of their movies that could've been hits flopped because they didn't advertise. I see where Hoffman's coming from. Just as long as he doesn't sue or nothing, because, well, Disney can't afford another lawsuit.

[Scarface98.9]

Originally posted by Michael_myers
Disney's marketing sucks, I can understand that. Treasure Planet and so many of their movies that could've been hits flopped because they didn't advertise. I see where Hoffman's coming from. Just as long as he doesn't sue or nothing, because, well, Disney can't afford another lawsuit.
Actually, I remember a lot of previews for Treasure Planet. A necessity really since a lot of money was depending on the success of that movie

[BorderEevilIII]

That sucks man! I still do wanna see this movie. Hopefully it'll find a second life when it hits rental & sales for DVD or pay cable.