Studio pulls plug on (Ben) Affleck movie

msnbc ^ | 10-24-03 | josh spector

[wheelgunguru]

Actor’s tarnished image reportedly scared off Disney

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24 — Four weeks from starting production on its Ben Affleck wedding comedy “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past,” the Walt Disney Co. has had a case of matrimonial jitters.The studio pulled the plug on the project late Monday.

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Disney declined comment on the decision. But it is believed that in addition to the film’s expected high cost, another contributing factor was Affleck’s tarnished image. The star has taken a beating in the tabloids and at the box office with the failure of his most recent film, “Gigli.” He returns to theaters on Christmas Day with the John Woo actioner ”Paycheck.”

Because Disney signed a pay-or-play deal with Affleck — meaning that he gets paid even if the movie is not made — it has reason to hope that one of its competitors will step in to take the project off its hands.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

There's something about a smaller budget that forces some directors into creative genius.

Bingo! The difference in the movies are like night and day.

[packrat35]

Hard Boiled & The Killer are two of the best action pictures of all time. Probably, the biggest blame was he doesn't have the control here that he had there.

Tom Cruise is the reason that MI2 was such a dud, as he was the producer also, and basically took over the film.