Weinstein Co. delaying 'Hoodwinked' sequel

The Weinstein Co. is pushing back the release of its sequel to its surprise animated hit "Hoodwinked."

Originally set to premiere the weekend of Jan. 15, "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" now will debut in February at the earliest. David Glasser, a senior Weinstein Co. executive who oversees distribution, cited a few reasons for the move.

He said the company is focusing its resources on a big marketing and promotion push for "Youth in Revolt," its teen comedy starring Michael Cera that debuts Jan. 8, and it is also making some "tweaks" to the animation of "Hoodwinked Too."

"We were rushing to get the picture ready," said Glasser of the decision to hit pause on "Hoodwinked Too." Although the original "Hoodwinked" also opened on the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and did well, Glasser believes "Youth in Revolt" is strong enough to "own a couple of weeks."

Glasser added that Weinstein Co. is the final stages of a marketing deal with a fast-food chain, although he declined to disclose any other details on a promotional tie-in campaign for "Hoodwinked Too."

Glasser said a new firm release date for "Hoodwinked Too" has not yet been set, but he hinted he ls looking at February. While Weinstein Co.'s financial challenges have been well documented and the company has over the last 18 months shuffled many of its release dates (including most recently "Nine"), Glasser said money is not an issue in the decision to delay "Hoodwinked Too!." Weinstein Co. did have reason to celebrate yesterday as the company's movies -- including "Nine" and "Inglourious Basterds" -- were nominated for 12 Golden Globes.

-- Joe Flint

Photo: "Hoodwinked." Credit: Kanbar Entertainment

Comments

[JM]

Well... Weinstein seems good at lobbying for awards. Too bad they can't lobby for some money. "Inglorious Basterds" has been their only hit in... how long? God, I'm not sure. I mean, there was "The Reader" last year, but most of its money came from overseas, and the independent studios don't get as much from overseas as the major studios do. So once you factor in the $32mil budget plus whatever fortune they spent on buying its Oscar nominations, they probably barely broke even in theaters, and I'm sure it did well on DVD, but it's hardly a hit.

And as for "Nine"... God, what a box office disaster! $80mil budget, and it'll be lucky to reach $20mil. I predict they'll file for bankruptcy and/or be bought out by another studio within the next five years.