European cinematic release for 'Grindhouse' in doubt
The European release of Quentin Tarantino's new movie 'Grindhouse' is in serious doubt, after the original cinematic release date of June 1 was withdrawn by producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein.
'Grindhouse' failed to impress at the US box office when it was released earlier this month.
Despite Tarantino gaining a nomination for the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in France for his work on 'Deathproof' - half of the horror double bill with Robert Rodriguez - the Weinstein brothers are wary of risking a similar fate at the hands of British filmgoers.
Producers had previously considered releasing the two parts, 'Planet Terror' and 'Death Proof', separately, but reports now suggest the $100m (€146.3m) film could go straight to DVD - a rarity for a big name director like Tarantino.
A spokesman for the film's British distributors, Momentum Pictures, said: "We are reviewing the release date and the release plans in the UK.
"It will definitely be released here, but we don't know in what form."
But Michael Gubbins, editor of industry magazine Screen International, warns a decision will need to be made soon, if the film is to see any success at all.
"I can't see them not releasing it (in the UK) but the size of the release will be interesting," he said.
"The plan is to split it into two and hope that Cannes gives it a push. But they're running into blockbuster season, have two films on their hands instead of one and no evidence that either is going to be more of a hit than the original."
