Posted on 03/08/2005 7:14:56 PM PST by brigada
Edited on 03/08/2005 7:17:20 PM PST by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
Actor/director Mel Gibson's latest demonstration of generosity and fair play is another lesson Hollywood – and much of America – ought to learn.
His production company, Icon, is sending out checks to scores of church groups that were charged an extra fee to preview his blockbuster film "The Passion of the Christ" before it hit theaters last year. According to The Wall Street Journal, Icon "screened the film for many church groups in a bid to build word-of-mouth buzz."
But Icon says Regal Entertainment Group, the movie theater company that provided the screenings, charged a $500 "worship fee" to hundreds of the church groups.
Regal says the fee was usual and customary, that it was charged as a way to recoup overhead expenses involved in providing the screenings.
Still, Icon says, the company "was shocked and disappointed that this additional fee (which was never reported to us) was being charged to faith-based organizations," according to a letter sent to hundreds of church groups and reviewed by the Journal.
Icon filed suit against Regal, the nation's No. 1 movie theater chain, last June, alleging the company did not pay the appropriate amount of box office revenue. Gibson's movie, the third-largest-grossing film in the U.S. in 2004, raked in more than $600 million worldwide.
Regal has settled with Icon for an undisclosed amount, though the theater company "said last week the settlement would result in an $8.3 million reduction in previously reported fourth-quarter net income," the Journal reported, adding it more than likely "paid considerably more than that."
Gibson's Icon says it discovered the pre-screening charge during the lawsuit proceedings. In that suit, Icon "said it had suffered damages in excess of $40 million," the Journal reported.
"The Passion" is set to return to the big screen over Easter in a shorter, less violent form, say Icon officials. Gibson, a devout Catholic, wanted the film's re-release to coincide with the Bible's account of Jesus' resurrection following his crucifixion.
Actor/director Mel Gibson's latest demonstration of generosity and fair play is another lesson Hollywood – and much of America – ought to learn.
His production company, Icon, is sending out checks to scores of church groups that were charged an extra fee to preview his blockbuster film "The Passion of the Christ" before it hit theaters last year.
Story Continues Below
According to The Wall Street Journal, Icon "screened the film for many church groups in a bid to build word-of-mouth buzz."
But Icon says Regal Entertainment Group, the movie theater company that provided the screenings, charged a $500 "worship fee" to hundreds of the church groups.
Regal says the fee was usual and customary, that it was charged as a way to recoup overhead expenses involved in providing the screenings.
Still, Icon says, the company "was shocked and disappointed that this additional fee (which was never reported to us) was being charged to faith-based organizations," according to a letter sent to hundreds of church groups and reviewed by the Journal.
Icon filed suit against Regal, the nation's No. 1 movie theater chain, last June, alleging the company did not pay the appropriate amount of box office revenue. Gibson's movie, the third-largest-grossing film in the U.S. in 2004, raked in more than $600 million worldwide.
Regal has settled with Icon for an undisclosed amount, though the theater company "said last week the settlement would result in an $8.3 million reduction in previously reported fourth-quarter net income," the Journal reported, adding it more than likely "paid considerably more than that."
Gibson's Icon says it discovered the pre-screening charge during the lawsuit proceedings. In that suit, Icon "said it had suffered damages in excess of $40 million," the Journal reported.
I never heard of a "worship fee."
Has anybody who's rented theaters for church groups heard of this?
This question is asked of any succesful movie:
When is Gibson doing the sequel??? :-)
He must have seen that Southpark episode about the boys trying to get a refund from him after seeing The Passion...
LOL- All I thought while I was reading the article was "And still no justice for Stan and Kenny".
PING
He's such a wonderful man. Thanks for the ping.
Cinemas do rent their theaters for special events, like company presentations, and the like. The cinema is probably considering these special showings as a standard rental.
Ask these guys.
-ccm
Book of Mormon?
Though it uses words from the Christian dictionary, it sure isn't what 2000 years of history have SHOWN to be Christian!
I have NEVER heard of this....but what do you expect from REGAL? Shame on them and why is this the first time I've heard of this?
Got some scripture to back that up? Just curious.
Are you going from the 7 day creation (everything was created at that time?)
Class Act.
Or should I say does any Mormon have scripture to back that up?
.
MEL's -PASSION- was about our Past and our Future
MEL's -FATIMA- will explain what we can do about both in the Present
Any religion that needs the "Book of Mormon" to support and verify the "Holy Scripture" has issues.
;-)
Heresy?
Hearsay?
Hairspray?
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