As you probably know, Across the Universe is one of the under-the-radar films we’ve been really looking forward to. Universe is a love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s, described as a “romantic musical” told through numerous Beatles songs performed by the characters. You can watch the theatrical trailer at this link.
Anyway, it seems like the movie studio and director are having a huge disagreement about the final cut (which is never good). It could lead to Academy Award nominated director Julie Taymor (Frida, Titus) removing her name from the project.
According to Variety, Revolution head Joe Roth recut Taymor’s movie without her knowledge or permission and tested it last week. Taymor is now considering taking her name completely off the movie, as she does not have final cut. The film was originally set to be released in September 2006, but was pushed back a whole year “due to extensive editing.”
This is really too bad. I would like to believe that every director should get final cut, but some get too close to the material to make rational editing decisions. I’m wondering is Roth’s version tested that much better than Taymor’s. Does anyone have these details?
Roth should try to work things out with Taymor, as this is very bad publicity for the film. Either way I’m still really looking forward to it.
March 20th, 2007 at 1:59 am
I’m apalled every time a studio does this. Why do people accept this sort of behavior? There should be a grass roots campaign to get Taymor final cut - just like any director. They hired her, she made the film her way, end of story.
Is filmmaking an art or a business? Why are people happy to let it behave like a business? That’s why there’s so much crap floating around.
March 20th, 2007 at 11:12 am
This is outrageous behavior by a studio and one that should be reprimanded by the film community. Every project requires collaboration on some level, therefore such tactics are never justified. An executive chooses a director for the artist’s vision. How dare Mr. Roth behave in such a despicable manner. Only rodents need sneak around in dark corners. Let’s hope an uproar allows the rest of us to continue to uphold respect and decency.
March 20th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
:( that movie looked good…
I hope it still is…and that the director gets final say…and that it gets wide released so i can see it wthoug waiting for it to come out on dvd.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I just saw this movie at the Toronto International Film Festival, and during the Q&A Taymour cleared up that she did indeed get the final cut!! And what a beautiful movie it was too.
January 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Me mate and I have seen ATU 3x now. I’ll go into our collection with The Last of the Mohicans, Far Away so Close(mine), Lawrence of Arabia(his), Jerimiah Johnson (his)and Young Frankenstein,(ours)…and To Kill A Mockingbird. We are products of the 60’s and proud of it. Across the Universe reminds us of everything we loved about that time, and why, sometimes, the movie should be about the song and not vice-versa. Great music, casting, acting, choreography, visuals and directing. A complex time and story, made simple…he loves her, yeah yeah yeah.