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This was a point advanced in Cinema Blend that I just about dropped my jaw when reading.  See, I had forgotten that, way back in the long long ago, the brothers Weinstein owned Miramax, but they sold it to Disney back when it was doing a lot better.  Now that Miramax is bleeding cash like a stuck piggy bank, are the Weinsteins plotting to buy the name off Disney’s hands?

There’s no doubt they’d get a bargain for it–with Miramax putting out just a handful of titles a year and generating precious little revenue for Disney, a cash infusion would probably be welcome there.  And if the Weinsteins want it–and it’s been suggested that they definitely DO want it–now would be the prime time to get it back for a song.

Does that mean they’d make it better?  Well, considering that it’s currently been hobbled and is only putting out slim numbers to begin with, chances are the Weinsteins would crank it to full production again, and considering some of the awesome pieces it’s come out with since they sold it to Disney, they might be able to get something good out of it again.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Pre-production on Halloween 3-D has apparently been shut down at the EXECUTIVE level.  Seems Bob Weinstein though that pre-production was just “rushing too fast”, which may well be the first time I’ve heard a producer say THAT.

It’s actually kind of refreshing to hear a producer say, whoa, let’s slow things down a notch, take our time and do it right.  This actually gives me a note of hope for the proceedings, and considering that Rob Zombie, who has already conclusively proven that he wouldn’t know a horror movie if it crawled up his pant leg and started licking him, is no longer involved with the project only makes things better.

What is this I’m feeling?  Is this…is this HOPE?  For a Halloween remake?  Wow.  I’m stunned.  Keep it up, Weinsteins…I might actually have a GOOD review for you next time.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Both EW and The Hollywood Reporter are reporting that the film adaptation of the post-apocalyptic thriller The Road may be pushed back to 2009. The film was originally slated for release next month, but Weinstein Co. has quietly pushed it to December; it may be further pushed back to 2009 depending on the outcome of a meeting about the release date plans scheduled for later today.

The film is currently in post-production, but is apparently not done according to sources on the film. The reason to get it out this year is because of the people involved – Viggo Mortensen and Cormac McCarthy (No Country for Old Men). Many expected this to be an Oscar contender, though that remains to be seen.

Popularity: 1% [?]

 I am sorry to hear that Javier Bardem has left the “Nine” and will not take on the lead role of Guido Contini in the musical that Rob Marshall is directing.

The musical focuses on Contini, a film director who experiences personal and creative crisis trying to balance all the women in his life.

Though it’s been clearly reported that Bardem loved the script and the idea of working with Marshall, he pulled out because he is exhausted from work and awards season, and will take as long as a year to recharge his batteries. Wow!

The rest of the cast is hanging in there: Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard and Sophia Loren. Also, Nicole Kidman and Judi Dench are in negotiations to join the rest of the cast soon.  

According to Variety, Bardem was ready to make the film late last year, but “Nine” got postponed, along with several other high profile projects, because it needed refinements to the Michael Tolkin script that weren’t possible because of the writer’s strike.

Bardem will next be seen in Woody Allen-directed “Vicky Christina Barcelona,” which debuts  at the Cannes Film Festival.

Popularity: 2% [?]