Disney Delays 'Alamo' Release

LA Times ^ | October 29, 2003 | Richard Verrier

[yonif]

Walt Disney Co. has taken the unusual step of postponing the opening of "The Alamo," saying the much-anticipated film needs more work. Although trailers had begun promoting a Dec. 25 release, Disney said Tuesday that the movie wouldn't hit theaters until April.

Though it is not uncommon for studios to change opening dates, it is rare for a studio to do so this close to the planned release of such a high-profile movie. Typically, such jockeying occurs in the early stages of production.

But Disney executives and filmmakers said "The Alamo" simply wasn't ready.

"It's proven to be more difficult than we thought," producer Mark Johnson said in an interview. "With six major characters, getting the balance right has been very, very difficult. I have every confidence we will get there. Just having the Christmas date breathing down our neck was impeding our progress."

Disney said the delay was unrelated to early mixed reviews by test audiences. One viewer complained on the Ain't It Cool Web site that the movie, which stars Dennis Quaid and Billy Bob Thornton and runs two hours and 45 minutes, was overly long and that the characters were forced.

Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said he was swayed by the request for additional time: "Ultimately, the end product is more important than the need to meet arbitrary deadlines…. We feel the wait will be worth it."

The setback comes amid an otherwise strong year for Disney, which has dominated at the box office with such hits as "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Holes" and "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," as well as "Finding Nemo," a joint production with Pixar Animation Studios.

[dts32041]

Wants to go head to head with the passion of chirst.

[Dallas59]

Is this going to "offend" Mexicans?

[ValerieUSA]

The last few times I've gone to see a movie at the theater the previews for the Alamo have run and the audience was enthusiastic about seeing it -- of course I am in Texas! *L*

[Semper Paratus]

Wonder who the bad guys will be?

[yonif]

The trailer looked good. I plan on watching this movie.

[uglybiker]

They want to add the footage that is supposedly being cut from that crummy Ronald Reagan tv "movie".

[Texas Federalist]

I can't wait to see it. I hope Texas wins this time.

[CyberSpartacus]

Billy Bob Thornton plays Davey Crockett. Be prepared to see the defenders portrayed as cowards, in what will prove to be another politicaly correct screed.

[Arkie2]

Some executive must have found something offensive, like the Mexicans were the bad guys or the script wasn't sensitive enough to Hispanic Americans or----etc.

[hattend]

What's a synopsis of "Holes"?

Is this a Disney porn cartoon?

[ChewedGum]

It sounded like it was going to shape up to be an anti-american screed. Maybe their focus groups are hating it and they have decided to put the history back in so they can make more money.

Gum

[Dante3]

Considering what Disney has become, they might be trying to figure out how to provide meaningful roles for women, Eskimos, Orientals, and a little speech in favor of illgal aliens. and, of course, a sex scene.

[aegiscg47]

From the trailer it looked like it was the Alamo and the Battle for San Jacinto in the same movie. I've read that there's going to be a lot of controversy over Crockett's fate, so hopefully the test audience hated whatever bastardised version of history they were trying to portray.

[Porterville]

There will probably be a gay soldier and a female Mexican General named Ellena Digeneracia.

[SquirrelKing]

Wants to go head to head with the passion of chirst.

Very series!

[Porterville]

Billy Bob thorton is Crockett??? I hate the film, I hate it already, how stupid is that, that little liberal man playing Davy Crockett...

[billorites]

Remember, remember...
Remember the Maine...
Remember Momma...
Remember...
Damn.

[longtermmemmory]

which version of the alamo story? There is some mexican professor who is saying that the principles of the alamo were captured and were in no way heroic.

[carlo3b]

The making of the film raised more than a few eyebrows in the Texas bible belt country.. and that special thingy between Davy Crockett, and Travis, well .. lets just say, it clears up that age old question as to why Crockett was called Davy and not David.. it makes Texas Hot and Spicy.. almost overheat . . :o)