CINEMA SCENE by Seymore Flix

Into the Scrap Heap of Cinema

Grace Kelly

Grace of Monaco, the much hyped biopic about the life of Grace Kelly, and which stars Nicole Kidman, have been relegated to the equivalent of the 'cinema trash bin'.  The film will never see the light of day at cinemas and will premiere on the Lifetime cable TV network in May.

The movie had generated much controversy and was publicly labeled a total misrepresentation of Princess Grace's life by the royal family of Monaco - Princess Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco.  The movie was a big budget project produced by Weinstein Films and the move to release it directly to cable TV represents a big financial loss.

Kidman as Kelly

The Monegasque royal family, now headed by Kelly's son Prince Albert II and including her daughters Princesses Caroline and Stephanie, issued a statement saying the film, "in no way constitutes a biopic, as it recounts one rewritten, needlessly glamorized page in the history of Monaco and its family with both major historical inaccuracies and a series of purely fictional scenes".

The film's director,Oliver Dahan said, "a have made a human portrait of a modern woman who wants to reconcile her family, her husband, her career."  The Weinsteins had no comment.


Depp: In Rehap or Not?

Production of the fifth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and its entire crew have been put on hold because Johnny Depp has been a no-show on the set.  Depp, who is 51, flew home from the Gold Coast, on March 10th to have 'surgery on his hand' was the official word - he hasn't been seen since.

About half of the film crew, which totals 400, were told there would be no more work for them for 'at least two weeks'.  Speculation is rampant that Depp is in rehab and not recuperating from hand surgery.

Depp as Cap. Jack Sparrow

According to a spokesperson for Jerry Bruckheimer Films, which is making the movie for Disney, said production of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, "will absolutely continue when he returns".  However questions are being raised as to when that will exactly be, as it is widely believed that Depp is in rehab in the U.S. Production still has fourteen weeks of shoot time to go.

Depp has admitted problems with alcohol in the past. Last December, Depp appeared to give a drunken speech at a Hollywood Press Association awards night. Shortly afterwards, the National Enquirer reported that Depp was attempting an "at-home" treatment for his alcohol issues.

Clearly Disney is not going to scrap the project, it is far too important a franchise. The four prior 'Pirates' films have grossed over $3.73 billion and have generated many more billions in video games, toys, DVDs, pay-per-view, and other revenue enhancers.  The treasure chest are the movies and Disney won't be giving up that booty just because Jack Sparrow has a few too many rums.