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Frank Miller's The Spirit Slides to Christmas Day

by Alex Billington
May 6, 2008
Source: Variety

Lionsgate has decided to movie the release date of Frank Miller's adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit up from January 16th next year to December 25th - Christmas Day - this year. While this news normally isn't too exciting, this time I think it's actually an interesting choice that's worth discussing. By now we've all seen the first teaser trailer for The Spirit. Lionsgate's president Tom Ortenberg decided to change the release date after they saw the reaction at the New York Comic Con, where the trailer officially debuted. All I know is that the reaction I typically hear when the trailer plays is along the lines of "is this Sin City 2?"

As much as I'm looking forward to The Spirit, a lot of people either seem confused about it or aren't too excited about seeing Frank Miller repeat the Sin City style all over again with a completely different comic that isn't his own. I'm certain it will perform better on Christmas Day instead of in January, but that still doesn't mean it's guaranteed to be a huge hit. And the question I always pose for movies like this that open on Christmas Day - how many people are really going to ditch their families to watch a dark comic book movie? I think it's definitely a confident move, but still I'm not sure Frank Miller's The Spirit is going to be the next big comic book movie. Who will be seeing The Spirit in theaters on Christmas Day?

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Sean

Me. It's going to be a Top 10 film of 2008. It's a great choice to up it to this Christmas.
Jojo

FLOP
Boo-Yah

Flop? Movie certainly won't flop. Although I think a later first quarter 09 release would have been better suited. Look how well 300 did in March.
sam

yea once it gets more hype definatly wont be a flop
sorr

i just dont see this movie being that good.. at least from what i saw from the teaser dont kno what it is, but it just doesnt do it for me .. YET
silver

Yeah this Sin City-esque style really isn't doing it for me. My uninformed friend said something along these lines when we saw the trailer at Iron Man "What is this Sin City 2 or something?!" then he heard the "My is my mother, She is my lover..." and he convinced my other friend that it is "gay" But me I'll keep an open mind. One thing that bothers me is the origional comic had a style completely different from Sin City. But i guess we'll see how it works Christmas day. I'll definitely keep this on my list of must see's unless i see something that convinces me otherwise.
marc

Ehhh... not me, not for this movie
harrison

i just dont understand who goes to see a movie on xmas day, i love movies but im not goin to the theaters on xmas, same with 4th of july releases
Keith

I need more coaxing; Im not there yet in anticipation or excitement. So no, at this point I would not see it on x-mas day.
http://IKinc.net Ian Kazimer

Once I'm convinced Frank Miller isn't just slapping this movie together on a whim, then maybe I'll see it. I see work better than this in my school.
Iron Man Fan

Style over substance
Andrew

Unfortunately the Teaser did nothing of the sort. It was just ... nothing. I am going to need a media blitz to even tell me what it is...
Djo.

Uh- hello? Me and my brother almost always end up seeing a movie on Xmas day, cuz our parents have been old & tired & we love movies. And every year, theatres are PACKED , w/ people who are NOT. CHRISTIANS. And the SPIRIT is by Will Eisner, who has been Frank Miller's long time mentor and friend, and is not only an important figure in Comics History (the Eisners are named after him, he pennd the book Comics & Sequential Art, coining the term), but a lifelong storyteller in the New York Jewish tradition. The movies are a traditional thing, it seems, for Jewish folks to go check out while all the Christians are holed up w/ our trees. It hink it's a move that makes a ton of sense, and I think that Miller's ability to frame stylistic shots and move into film-making makes sense, since his drawing skills are getting somewhat haggard as of late. Plus, there's more of a broad audience to increase awareness of Eisner's capstone creation: The Spirit. I applaud the whole endeavor.
http://IKinc.net Ian Kazimer

I appreciate the effort, as Eisner deserves nothing less. But pupil or not, I feel like Miller's simply creating a bastardization rather than an homage. Of course, I lack the emotional attachment that the two had, I'm sure. But then again, so does everyone else.
Debbie

Christmas? This ain't warm and fuzzy family fare. I see an Alien vs Predator boondoggle coming our way. It would be better off opening in late summer or fall of 2009. That whole year looks much emptier thanks to the writers strike.
jason_md2020

The Spirit of Chistmas? ...Sorry had to....
http://www.modelmayhem.com/kevjohnphotography kevjohn

Christmas Day? Take that, original Star Trek release date!! I'll be there, unless I get trapped into some family-related nonsense. *shudder* I tell ya, the Christmas holidays are getting to be a bit much. They're barely survivable these days.