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Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox is Now a Fox Searchlight Release

by Alex Billington
May 11, 2009
Source: Film Experience Blog

So far we've only heard tidbits here and there (like this last month) about Wes Anderson's stop animation adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic Fantastic Mr. Fox. The film is a 20th Century Fox production, however, a test screening report on the Film Experience Blog (via SlashFilm) mentions specifically that a Fox Searchlight title card preceded that screening. The studio has been test screening this film quite a bit recently, and although almost all of the reports have been positive, they might've discovered that it still has that Wes Anderson feel and therefore would be better suited as a limited release through Searchlight.

We all know what happens when Fox Searchlight gets their hands on a release - just look at both Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler - which they acquired late last year and turned into huge hits. Now, they have been forced recently to release some films (like Post Grad) that were previously Fox Atomic or Fox proper films that they didn't want. But with this, I think they may be releasing it because it honestly would be better fit. Searchlight did release Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, so they know him and they know how to cater to his followers. Either way, this is great news for anyone looking forward to Fantastic Mr. Fox.

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http://myspace.com/erikthecoolkid erik

wooooooooooooooooooo
Timothy

I'm excited about this, I love the sound of an animated film from Wes Anderson. When does it come out, btw?
Matt S

"We all know what happens when Fox Searchlight gets their hands on a release..." - Alex Billington We all (should) know that "The Wrestler" and "Slumdog" were both a bit of a rarity. They were both great films that got a ton of award recognition and that is why they were "huge hits", not because they were aquired by Fox Searchlight. I doubt many people just watch a movie because of the Fox Searchlight logo. That being said, they are usually good at marketing these quirky type films and usually get them decent releases. For every "Wrestler" and "Slumdog" Searchlight releases dozens of films that most people have never even heard of. That being said, I love Wes Anderson, I hope "Mr. Fox" is great, and I hope it is a "huge hit".
Elessar

I'm glad to see that Searchlight, and not mainline Fox, is handling this film. In stark contrast to the rest of the Fox family, Searchlight actually has some commitment to quality (and the promotion thereof). This and AVATAR are the only Fox films that I have any faith in.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

#2 - Right now it's scheduled for November 13. Though that could be limited only...
Richard

Theres gonna be a movie about Firefox?
Boxoffice Marco

Hate to be a downer but has anyone noticed that the Fox Searchlight films that are acclaimed are the ones that get picked up (Wrestler, Slumdog Millionare) and the ones that don't are the ones that are produced inhouse (Darjeeling Limited, The Good Thief).
Dr Robotnik

Fox has never produced a good movie in any way, shape, or form ever
Killah

Hate to be a downer but has anyone noticed that the Fox Searchlight films that are acclaimed are the ones that get picked up (Wrestler, Slumdog Millionare) and the ones that don't are the ones that are produced inhouse (Darjeeling Limited, The Good Thief). Boxoffice Marco on May 12, 2009 --------------------------------- Dude you ever hear of SIDEWAYS or JUNO which were both Best Picture Noms? I think Searchlight produced both inhouse. Also I heard that Warner Bros. had no idea what to do with SLUMDOG MILL. and were sending it straight to DVD, but somehow it won Best Picture, that didn't happen by accident. As with any business there will be good and bad times, but all in all from what I've seen Searchlight has figured out something that works more often.