CBS Films announced just now it is again postponing the release of the Jennifer Lopez/Alex O’Loughlin romantic comedy The Back-up Plan to April 23rd, same weekend as Wall Street 2 and MacGruber. It had been scheduled for April 16th which then got too crowded. And before that January 22nd when it was to be the first CBS Film. But then Extraordinary Measures tested so well (in the 90s) that it jumped to the top. And then flopped. Complicating The Back-Up Plan‘s release as well as J-Lo’s new Sony album and exactly when she’d be available to do publicity for the film.
why not skip the bullshit and just release that avatar of Bush-era consumerism, depthlessnes and fake ‘real’ness’s latest product straight to supermarket dvd?
The excesses and arrogance of the Bush era is crumbling the hopes of many now. Who told CBS they could make films? First the Harrison Ford debacle and now this?
More movies and Les Moonves!
Attention: Les Moonves:
Amy Baer is a lovely girl but not qualified for this job. Extraordinary Measures?! Puuleeese! And she knows nothing about romantic comedies. What would make you think she does, Les? It’s a mess over at CBS films. Todd Black (a/k/a Jlo bff to her face at least) is running around town telling everyone that the reason the movie tested in the low 60’s is because of JLO. I’d say it’s because it’s a lame story (TV movie) that we’ve (yawn) all seen before. Mr. Black you talk with forked tongue. Telling Jen how great it is. Telling others how you wished you’d cast Sandra B.
The question is, at what point will you cut your losses Mr. M? Maybe you should just make some of your tv show into movies. That’s what everyone else does.
I don’t know what the story is about but I think Jennifer Lopez lost her box office appeal.
Clearly, you have a problem with Todd. The larger problem is the business is shrinking worse than ever so to be taking potshots at a new buyer employing many people who might be out of work otherwise is, as Rahm Emanuel says,”retarded”. I used to work in story at Sony, and FYI Amy Baer was the exec on MY BEST FRIENDS WEDDING and other hit romantic comedies.
Where did you got the low 60s result ? i was at one of those screening and that would be surprising, i’m not into rom-coms but that was actually a good one and the audience there loved it.
Well, as someone who worked in a pretty deep capacity on the first three CBS Films(Crowley/Extraordinary Measures, Beastly, Back-up Plan), I’ll be the first to say that they jumped in with both feet. These films went off 1,2,3 over a 4-month period last year.
Unfortunately the “vision” wasn’t there to keep CBS Films from adopting the mindset of most features divisions, which is this: “Discovering a problem is the same as creating a problem, and nobody can tell us that throwing more money and yelling at people won’t get results.” There were times when I had to go babysit Amy, (and others, whose names I won’t introduce into this) and I was saddened at how slowly they had to be talked to.
looks sooooooo bad
Amy Baer are you ready for your close-up?
Why is everyone rooting for CBS Films to fail? With so few buyers out there, all with less money, we should be wishing them success. In addition, pushing a release date back a week is hardly a delay – movies move a week or two all the time. The headline of this post implies that there is yet another problem with this film. The truth is, it tested well and was supposed to be CBS’s first movie, but Les wanted to kick things off with what he considered a more prestigious film. Granted, he was dead-wrong on that, but the movie hasn’t been moved around because of its quality as some films are. It may be good and it may be bad, but it’s too bad that everyone is sharpening their knives, or pens in some cases, before it even comes out.
Thanks Gil. I don’t know how Les gets away with all this? How’s CNET doing?
Thank you. It’s a rom com and it’s not meant to be a serious award winning film. As long as it cute and entertains I don’t see any problems.
People are being bitter and harsh about CBS films and I don’t see any kind of positive criticism, if it’s so messed up what can they do to fix it?
I agree with Mel …. and who said the CBS can not make movies???
They can, they did …and they will ……you go CBS…
I personally am looking forward to the BUP. I’m hoping it’s going to be just a cute light-hearted comedy. That’s all I expect – no academy awards or anything close – just some fun. And that will be enough for me!
Just send the piece of garbage D2DVD where it belongs. JLo’s “acting” career has about as much life in it as David Carradine right about now.
couldnt agree more Mel. you people that populate this board with negativity are clearly unemployed, bitter, fringe players.. cbs’s plan is solid, first movie didnt work, then again what studio makes $$ right out of the gate. you’re all the same idiots that proclaimed summit doa, two twilights and more cash than anyone can count later….
Since so many people are unemployed, if we barred all of theose from commenting on this blog it would be blank. Those lucky enought to be working have responsibility to our industry to make the best product possible, marketed to it’s best advantage…not to squander the opportunity.
Mr Moonves, tou nade the type of film you stopped making as TV movies. Why?
You had the opportuity to assemble a dream team, and hired leftovers. Amy is a “back-up plan” and not a leader. Your head of creative advertising mad EPKs, and your head of publicity is a certified nut!
There is still time to fix this. Chop off some heads and get a clue
Love the trailer for The Back-up Plan. It’s delightful, funny, and looks thoroughly entertaining. JLo has never looked so beautiful as she does in this film, this after having Twins!!! And I love Alex O’Loughlin, hot, shirtless, funny and gorgeous!!! There is something for everyone in this movie. They put the fun back into Funny Comedy! I look forward to this movie in April!
“There is something for everyone in this movie”
Except the men. I wont see a crap like this unless my girlfriend force me to see it. (ahh women..)
Otherwise I download the JLo scenes from the net where she wears little clothes and that is it. (ahhh men…)
Whatever they’re paying you, it isn’t enough, and whatever you’re smoking, I want some.
I agree. I’m looking forward to this one.
It was pushed back by a week, not a year.
and let’s not forget that Dreamworks’ first movie was “The Peacemaker.” Remember that one?
I’m looking forward to seeing BUP. It may not be an academy award winner but the trailers look as if it could be ok. I’m not a JLO fan but I don’t dislike her either. I probably would have chosen Katherine Heigle for the part over JLO. I’m looking forward to seeing Alex O’Loughlin in this movie, he is an actor on his way up
he just needs the right breakout movie.Not sure if this one is it, time will tell.
The only reason I would go see The Back-Up Plan is to see Alex O’Loughlin. Hey CBS, please, please, please bring Alex back in Moonlight. That was a terrific show that should have never been canceled.
Natalie,
You sound like a studio plant trying to hype the movie. Not saying you are, just that you sound like one.
intl film guy you are clearly a blanket statement generalizer, yeah and none of the people who are employed insiders are bitter? ha pot kettle