The Nines gets all domestic
Ever since Sundance, when I announced that GreeneStreet scooped up international rights to The Nines, I’ve been faced with many questions. I knew the answer to the big one but couldn’t say. The answer to all the others depended on the first. So I’ve been sitting patiently, feigning detached acceptance, when I wanted to be shouting from the rooftops.
But since we made it official this morning, I’m now Mr. Answer Man.
Who’s releasing The Nines in the U.S.?
Newmarket. They’re the folks behind Donnie Darko and Memento. If you’ve got a challenging indie with geek appeal, they’re your distributor of choice.1 They’re partnered with Sony, who is handling all the home video/television stuff. Sony has done four of my movies, so I feel especially comfortable with them.
How long have you known?
Pretty much after the second screening. There were other players in the mix that first week after Sundance, so we ended up screening the movie all over town. But from my first meeting with the Newmarket folks, I strongly suspected it was going to work out. Did it take longer that I expected? Ohlordyes. As stressful as that legendary up-all-night Sundance dealmaking can be, at least it gets done quickly. The alternative is weeks of t-crossing and i-dotting, with multiple parties who always seem to be flying overseas. It was a marathon rather than a sprint, but the sales team for the movie (Rich Klubeck, David Kramer and Irwin Rappaport) got it across the finish line in great shape. The producers and I are hugely indebted to them.
How happy are you?
Very. The Nines is a movie which some people love fanatically, yet leaves other people scratching their heads. Newmarket has a great track record with this kind of film, and won’t try to market it as something it’s not. They’re small, and can give it the kind of steady nurturing it needs. As for Sony, they’re huge, and a giant home video distributor has a unique ability to get DVDs onto shelves. Whether the movie grosses $2 million or $20 million, I know that 99% of viewers will end up seeing it on a TV set. I want to make sure that it’s always available to be seen.
When can I see it?
How about tomorrow? We’re holding a special screening on Thursday night (April 12, 2007) in Hollywood. It’s mostly for vendors (the trailer-and-poster folk), but we have a limited number of seats available for readers of this very blog. It’s not a test screening; there are no cards to fill out. But we might email you afterwards to solicit your opinions on marketing matters.
If you want to come, here’s the skinny:
- Send your REAL NAME to… watchthenines@gmail.com…with the subject line “Thursday Night Screening.”
- Again, you have to email. Do not ask for tickets in the comments section, because you will be mercilessly mocked. I might even stick Yancy on you.
- All invites are you plus one guest.
- You need to be able to be there at 7:15 p.m., because it’s starting at 7:30 p.m. sharp.
- It’s first-come, first-serve. Don’t send in multiple emails. It’s not a lottery.2
- If you’re in, we will email you by 6 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) with details. If you don’t get an email, take heart — there will be more screenings.
(UPDATE: The email address is watchthenines@gmail.com, not watchforthenines. But both accounts are forwarding, so if you sent it to the latter, it will still go through.)
When is it coming to (insert town here)?
There’s talk of an early fall release, but some of that depends on a certain French festival which I don’t want to jinx by mentioning. Regardless, we’ll probably be a New York/Los Angeles exclusive at first, and then expand as the response merits. With this kind of movie, it’s entirely possible it won’t end up showing at your local multiplex. And that’s okay. That’s what DVDs are for.
When is it coming to (insert country here)?
The international release will follow the domestic release, but every country will be different. We’ll have more information on the official site as soon as we know.
When can we see a trailer?
Dude, when can I see a trailer? I’m as curious as you. I’ve seen artwork for the international posters, which rock. So we’re off to a good start.
- They’re also the folks behind Passion of the Christ, but I truly don’t think we’ll become a $200-million surprise blockbuster. Though there are thematic similarities… ↩
- But I will get Shirley Jackson on you if pushed. ↩
Articles
April 11th, 2007 at 5:20 am
Great to hear that things are moving forward! I’d love to go to the screening, but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll make it in time from Sweden, hehe.
Anyway, Newmarket sounds like a great distributor. I’m really looking forward to seeing The Nines!
April 11th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Don´t ask for tickets in the comments section you say. Mocked you say. Yancied even. Well. I want a plane ticket from ReykjavÃk to LAX. And a ticket to the screening. Thank you very much.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:34 am
I to would like a plane ticket from Australia to attend the screening!
Congrats on everything though! Can’t wait to check it out when it’s released locally.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:32 am
Congrats. And, of course, condolences, as per Variety, “…the scribe is now back toiling as a writer for hire…”. Looking forward to an NYC screening.
April 11th, 2007 at 6:36 am
John, 1) Will this be a festival style screening where you answer questions and talk about the movie afterwards?
2) Craig Mazin is right; the comment preview thingy does rule. I am, of course, referring to a comment from another thread. -Jonathan
April 11th, 2007 at 6:40 am
Hmm, I just tried emailing and the Gmail system said there was no such user. Any thoughts?
April 11th, 2007 at 6:51 am
Great job, John!
Somehow you make this whole “Impossible Journey” thing seem easy.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:07 am
Same here, Mark.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:49 am
I too have emailed this gmail and found the same such bounceback.
April 11th, 2007 at 7:52 am
There’s an update above. The email address is watchthenines@gmail.com . (The other address, watchforthenines@gmail.com, will now work, but it wasn’t this morning.)
April 11th, 2007 at 8:23 am
I am sooo happy for you, John… But happier for us who haven’t yet seen the film.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:29 am
When you say Sony will handle the home video/tv stuff does that mean if there is a limited release in theaters then those of us not in LA/NY will be able to see this on HBO, or will we have to visit the local Blockbuster or Netflix? Do you have any idea how long it would take to get to DVD? I am excited to see this movie but its a bummer that I may have to wait forever until a DVD release.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:48 am
I’m going to have to miss the screening, because of the silly entire country being in the way. Good going though John, and thanks for giving us readers the opportunity.
April 11th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Spam (#10):
“TV and home video” means pretty much everything that is not a movie theatre, so yes, when it comes to HBO/Showtime/whatever, that will be them. And ditto for iTunes, Joost and whatever other future technologies arrive.
April 11th, 2007 at 10:15 am
Has the film to your knowledge leaked out on to the net or dvd-black market? I´m aware you have taken precautions (regarding test screenings and such) but can it be altogeather prevented in this day and age? It will presumably be ripped as soon as it goes out on dvd but I´m curious to see if it can be kept intact at least while it´s in theaters.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Hey there,
First off, congrats on the good news. Just a quick question. We’ve all read and participated in the debate over the future of movies in movie theaters, with you, and most of the board, coming out on the “movies in movie theaters will be around a long time” side. My argument being that because of certain financial realities movies in movie theaters will slowly dwindle to nothing in the near future, with the majority of folks preferring to watch films in the privacy of their own homes (phone/IPod/other mobile device notwithstanding). My question is, when you say “I know that 99% of viewers will end up seeing it on a TV set.” and “…it’s entirely possible it won’t end up showing at your local multiplex. And that’s okay. That’s what DVDs are for.” aren’t you proving my point?
Believe me, if I lived in a city where I could be sure to catch it on the big screen I would (I have fond memories of my visits to the Angelika on Houston) but now that I live in a secondary market, I’ll probably have to see it reduced to 37 inches. Which seems to be the growing preference of viewing…which leads me back to my main point. With more and more films heading to DVD so quickly (if not immediately, and soon, just “On Demand” via the Internet) won’t the shrinking stream of revenue for theaters and the growing stream of revenue for the afore mentioned outlets, push the capitalistically inclined model to discontinue one for the other?
Either way, congrats again and I look forward to seeing it! -RTA
April 12th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Hey John!
Looking forward to the screening tonight, and also to hopefully meeting you, finally.
April 12th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Awesome! have a blast Thursday!
April 12th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Hey John, So will “The Nines” be apart of a certain French festival, in or out of competition?
April 12th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Man, it’s at times like this when I wish I lived a little closer to LA. Or had a car.
Congratulations! Newmarket is great. That’s exciting. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for being able to see it in the LA area eventually.
April 12th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I am so excited to see this movie. I really can not wait!
April 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
I had an incredibly bad experience with Newmarket when they bought The Woodsman. It was the year of The Passion of the Christ and Monster and they made their choice. I feel like if they have more than two acquisitions for the year, they’re pretty much gonna back only one.
Here’s hoping it’s The Nines! The movie sounds great and I can’t wait to see it.
P.S. Keep an eye out on Bob B…he’s a crafty one.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Really enjoyed the screening tonight - I think this one could be a sleeper hit. What a masterful performance by Ryan Reynolds.
April 12th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I went to the Thursday screening and must say I thought the movie was great. I’m still trying to piece it all together, but I really enjoyed it. Here’s hoping it gets great word of mouth and actually does become the next Passion of the Christ (in terms of box office). Congrats to John on some wonderful filmmaking.
April 13th, 2007 at 6:15 am
Hi Kevin –
Bob B is actually at Picturehouse now — I know him from way back on Go. But your point about a distributor focusing on one movie is apt. I think we would have gotten lost at a bigger place. I’m hoping Newmarket’s relatively free schedule will be a help.
April 13th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Loved it. The casting, the cinematography was great and I really didn’t need any help being in love with Ryan Reynolds but I got it. I put up a positive review on the blog. Thanks for letting us see it for free.
April 13th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Thanks again, John. My review is up as well!
April 13th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Hey John,
Great movie last night (and good meeting you before the show).
I had heard there were spiritual/philosophical elements in the film, but I was surprised at their depth and originality in person. This was much more complex and satisfying for me than The Fountain, for example. Well done.
I imagine this movie gets compared to a lot of others, but mostly it reminded me of Vanilla Sky. The solipsism, the bizarre incidents, etc. You even had the strangely omniscient side character
I know marketing is a question for you guys… I wonder if there’s some lessons to be learned from how V.S. went out?
April 15th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Was watching a DVD of The Prestige last night and noticed the disty was Newmarket. Good luck finding an audience…I know I’ll try to make the trek into the big apple to see it on the big screen.
April 16th, 2007 at 2:10 am
Great news.
Btw, John, are you still working on that Prince of Persia movie? Is it true that it’s finally coming along with Michael Bay as director?
April 16th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Lippyone:
I think when push came to shove, Buena Vista distributed The Prestige.
April 16th, 2007 at 11:48 am
RTA (#16):
Not ignoring your question, but I think it merits a bigger post than a reply here in the comment thread. Short version: I don’t think it’s self-defeating to acknowledge that most people will see the movie on the smaller screen. The challenge is to not let that realization in any way diminish your big-screen vision.
April 18th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Understood, didn’t want to be the stick in the mud and diminish the success of any storyteller getting their vision to the masses, just thought it (sadly) acknowledged my earlier points…but, regardless, I agree on the “big screen” vision, and hopefully (whether big or small…or yikes phone) touching people and making them remember that we’re all in this together is what we try to do.
Peace, RTA