Rising and Falling Directors in 2012

[frendo]

Why did they not release Possession?

[Buscemi]

The Possession is opening in August (after delays from October and January). One of the reasons why it was delayed is that Lionsgate and Sam Raimi wanted a PG-13 rating (the director's previous film with Sam Raimi, the science fiction film The Substitute, was given an undeserved R rating and was rather light on violent content). But I think the main reason why it was pushed back was because of it being a film focused around the Dibbuk, a legend of Jewish folklore (the working title was also Dibbuk Box). Lionsgate probably didn't want to go to the trouble of explaining the legend and probably thought that a Jewish-based horror film would be a hard sell. Despite the fact that The Unborn was a hit three years ago.

[Buscemi]

So I just saw the first photos for Gangster Squad...and it's looking like Oscar bait. 1940's film noir setting, big cast of respected actors and an eye for that retro-look that's big on TV right now. Warner Bros. is wanting Oscars on this one.

Too bad they picked up a director who's never done a drama or worked with a big cast before.