It seems Tarantino and Rodriguez’ exploitation vehicle, Grindhouse, is being sent to the breakers yard. Harvey Weinstein confirmed that the film would be released in the UK as two movies.
Despite receiving positive feedback from US critics, the innovative double feature, which includes Tarantino’s Death Proof and Rodriguez’s Planet Terror, spat and spluttered into cinemas Stateside. Unfortunately, it failed to attract more bums onto salsa stained cinema seats than an ice-dancing Will Ferrell and an Ice Cube moving home.
“ We are very proud of Grindhouse. It earned overwhelming rave reviews for its audaciousness and boldness. Based on U.S. audiences' positive reactions to Quentin Tarantino's 'Death Proof' and Robert Rodriguez's 'Planet Terror,' combined with their resistance to the three-hour running time, we've revised our U.K. release plans to allow audiences the chance to see the films separately, like they will be shown in all international territories." declared Weinstein.
Tarantino will be screening a longer version of his stunt-racing, slasher movie Death Proof at the Cannes Film Festival next month, fuelling speculation that UK audiences will be getting extended cuts of both movies.
Despite the apathetic US response to Grindhouse, it hasn’t fettered the Weinsteins from continuing to look for innovative future projects. Recent reports suggest that the brothers are planning to continue to invest in the Asian film market.
One of their future projects is rumoured to be a Tarantino remake of the Shaw Bros. classic, Come Drink With Me, about a young girl who is disciplined by an eccentric, punch-drunk martial arts master in order to rescue her brother from a gang of violent thugs.
Death Proof will now be released in U.K. theatres on 21 September. The release date for Planet Terror has yet to be confirmed.
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