In a fairly shocking turn of events, Universal Pictures have decided not to release Joe Carnahan’s latest movie Stretch, a modestly budgeted $5 million comedic action-thriller starring Patrick Wilson, as planned on March 21.
Produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, who brought Universal Pictures the 2013 hit horror-thriller The Purge with a sequel in the works, the studio decided it wasn’t worth spending the $20 to 40 million in marketing necessary to make the movie’s planned release date in two months, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Blum, who didn’t comment for the story, has been trying to find a new buyer for the action comedy, but having failed to make a deal, the film has reverted to Universal who will now try to figure out how to release the film though it’s still undetermined whether that will include a theatrical release.
in the movie, Patrick Wilson plays a chauffeur who has to contend with a difficult billionaire passenger (played by Chris Pine) leading to a night of dangerous encounters with characters played by Jessica Alba, Brooklyn Decker, Ed Helms and Ray Liotta.
Carnahan previously directed the star-studded action-comedy Smokin’ Aces for Universal, which included the likes of Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine, Jason Bateman and others in its cast, and that went on to gross $56 million worldwide based on a $17 million production budget and spawned a straight-to-DVD sequel. Since then, Carnahan directed a big screen version of The A-Team and the 2012 hit thriller The Grey, starring Liam Neeson, which grossed over $84 million worldwide.
Last night, Carnahan took to Twitter to address the situation brought to light in the Hollywood Reporter story:
“Guys. Bottom line. STRETCH is f*cking great. It’s funny. It’s touching. It’s unique and @patrickwilson73 is absolutely brilliant in it.”
“I can talk sh*t & argue with that idiotic @THR story but brass tacks, that movie works & you will all be fast fans of it when you see it.”
“I think it’s as good or better than my best film & say that from the bottom of my heart. This movie will make it to you, trust me.”
“Guys, the movie is gonna find its audience & that audience will love it. Whether that happens now or later is irrelevant. It’s gonna happen.”
(Photo source: HRC/WENN.com)
