Scorsese's 'Shutter Island' Pushed Back to February

The Oscar race was dealt a major blow today, with the announcement by Paramount that Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island will be moved from October 2nd to February 10th. What that means, in essence, is that the studio doesn't want to commit funds to the film to push it for Academy Awards consideration. Deadline Hollywood Daily says the studio would normally spend around $50 - $60 million for that kind of thrust. Another issue, apparently, is that Leonardo DiCaprio wouldn't be able to promote the film abroad this fall, and on his last three movies in particular, Leo has proven to be more of a global star than an American one. That could all be spin, though, to cover for a movie that just doesn't meet the studio's expectations. This creates a giant vacuum in the pool of Oscar contenders, especially now that the field has been rather embarrassingly expanded to include ten movies. However, that gives hope to smaller films like District 9 and The Hurt Locker that would be fighting an uphill battle in the increasingly expensive Oscar prostitution ring. Where does this leave Paramount? The studio still has The Lovely Bones, a co-production with DreamWorks, slated for December. That's the only major film left on its schedule between the beginning of October and the end of the year, the usual boundaries of awards season. Perhaps that means more funds will be allocated to that film's chances; remember it was moved from April into the heart of the Oscar race, so clearly Paramount and DreamWorks like what they see. And now, the second week of February is jam packed, with Shutter Island joining The Wolf Man, Valentine's Day, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Disney's 3-D re-release of Beauty and the Beast.

Comments

[Feisty]

DAMN IT! I was looking forward to seeing this in October,too. Atleast I have my Valentine's Day movie already planned now.

[SEAN]

Okay so my thoughts are this, b/c I just have to spew out whats in my head...

Im not too completely surprised, I mean yes you don't see too many films with big name actors such as Leo Dicaprio and directed by a Scorcese pushed back for any reason whatsoever as well as the company Paramount and Dreamworks...

BUT, given the circumstances and the film from what it looks like, the film didn't/wouldn't have any really good chances of an Oscar contender, I mean the movie seems to be a thriller and OK plot rather than relying too much on character and growth...

I mean what could it have gone up for, I would bet my bottom dollar on nothing acting wise, but I would love for Mark Ruffalo to earn something b/c I feel he's a great underrated talent, but it would simply be up for perhaps cinemetography or editing or some technical stuff, IF THAT!

I say its a good move but bad too, GOOD because it saves them so much money SUPPOSEDLY, bad because now they will really rely on THE LOVELY BONES greatly...
-My expectations of that are really high and I want Saoirse Ronan (I butchered her name) to be nominated for something she's just amazing...

I MUST SAY THOUGH, I REALLY DO TRULY MISS THE GOLDEN AGE OF HOLLYWOOD, AHH WHAT GREAT MOVIES WERE THEY, THEY JUST DONT MAKE THEM LIKE THAT ANYMORE!