"Kill Bill" to pull a Matrix Sequel Split

[nharwell]

I'm very excited about this film but I fear that splitting it in two will "kill" it at the box office. It's a terrible idea...

 

[Daiymo]

Much is being made of the financial risk Miramax is taking by releasing it this way. My question: If Kill Bill "1" tanks, how hard do you think they're going to push Kill Bill "2"? I could see that going direct-to-video if the first episode flops.

BTW, they better not even think about doing two separate DVD packages. They may be conning me into seeing one film in halvsies, but I'll be darned if I'm buying two separate DVDs.

When I first read this news today the suspicious consumer in me saw this as a ploy to cheat us, the movie going public. Mind you I had just read an article about many companies decreasing volume and content in products from soup to detergent, while still charging the same prices as always.

'If it works' I thought, 'then we'll see movie studios embracing the multipart route to get extra revenue for one movie.'

But after calming down, I see it is a gamble on Miramax's part. Its kind of a risk, If part 1 is so so and stinks, it makes the second part an immediate loss.

And I second the sentiment on the DVD packaging-I wouldnt buy two either.

 

[John Crichton]

No matter what I say, if it is the usual QT movie (which I will adore) I will not only see it in the theater but buy both parts of the movie on DVD. I won't be able to resist.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I'm just surprised they're willing to negotiate new contracts with the actors, who signed on for one movie and are getting paid for one, but now it turns out they've actually made two movies.

According to this story, the only salaries that have to be renegotiated are Thurman's and Liu's. Sounds like the studio may have hedged its bets in the beginning, and negotiated most of the cast's salaries for two movies.