Flipside Movie Emporium

[Michael Scrutchin]

From StudioBriefing at the IMDb:

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Schrader Fired from 'Exorcist IV'

Writer-director Paul Schrader (Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Auto Focus) has been fired from Exorcist IV: The Beginning after turning in a completed film, when producers concluded that the film did not contain enough violence, the New York Post's "Page Six" column reported today (Monday). Producers Morgan Creek "wanted more gore," a source told the column, "They think that will sell. There were huge fights between Paul, who is more artistic, and the company, and earlier this week Paul was fired. They are planning on hiring a new director to reshoot some scenes."

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I can't say the idea of Exorcist IV: The Beginning ever stirred up much excitement for me, but I'd much rather see Schrader's movie -- which began to sound really interesting the more I read about it via articles and interviews -- than the one Morgan Creek has in mind. Rumor has it that nobody at MC even read the screenplay. Morons.
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Michael Scrutchin
Flipside Movie Emporium
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[Danny Baldwin]

Yeah, well, I was sure I would hate it (as I did with the second and third movies in the seires), but I thought that I'd give it a chance since he was on the project. Now, I dunno.
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Danny Baldwin

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[beltmann]

I first learned of this project in April, when the film's production was highlighted in London's Sight & Sound magazine. I was very surprised to hear that this was to be Schrader's next project, but of course he once wanted to be a priest, and the story's spiritual undercurrents seem to fit with much of his work. I was immediately intrigued, especially when Kevin Jackson, the article's author, concluded, "No one could reasonably doubt that Exorcist: The Beginning is going to be a very classy film, handsome and serious and grown-up well beyond its melodramatic roots. Whether it can pack the raw-nerved emotional shock that the supernatural horror genre usually needs to set the cash registers pinging is a different question."

Jackson's comments now seem rather prescient. I'm fascinated that Schrader may have been fired after turning in a finished film--how can a director be let go when all of the principal photography and final editing is complete? Unless the movie is essentially re-started, won't a large portion of the movie necessarily retain Schrader's stamp? And if a completed film exists, may we perhaps still see his version, at some point?

Does anyone know of another situation where a director has been fired after the film is totally complete, final edit and everything? I'm sure there are examples, but I can't think of one right now.

Eric

[Danny Baldwin]

You think there's any chance that they'll take him back? I've never seen this happen before.
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Danny Baldwin

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[the night watchman]

Dare I say I like "Exorcist III" better than the first.
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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[The Third M?n]

Dare you, really? Well I don't agree!

[the night watchman]

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"If you're talking about censorship, and what things should be shown and what things shouldn't be shown, I've said that as an artist you have no social responsibility whatsoever."

-David Cronenberg

[The Third M?n]

Honestly, I don't. And this time I mean it, I really do.

[juhsstin]

i recently watched exorcist iii. definitely has it's scary moments. like that one long duration scene of a stationary shot down the hallway of the hospital... yow!
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Who let the dogs out?