The full-scale protest to demonstrate the anger of many Star Wars fans hold about the re-cutting of Fanboys, a long delayed project we’ve been devoting some ink to recently, has both parties claiming that they are the victors.
On one hand, Superhero Movie under performed at the box office, bringing in 9.5 million against, leader, 21’s $23.7 million.
The Weinstiens claim victory because the protests planned for Superhero Movie theaters in New York and Los Angeles were not comparable to the loud internet threats made of a boycott.
Reports Reuters:
The 501st claims 14 members showed up in New York, but an AMC spokesperson said there was no protest, and a Weinstein source cited a YouTube video posted Friday night showing one protester saying no one else was there. The video has since been removed by the user.
The group also claimed more than 20 showed up at AMC’s theaters in L.A.’s Century City district, but an AMC rep said this was limited to one person in a Darth Vader costume on the street outside the theater. A Weinstein source said eight protesters did appear, and were taken out for pizza by one of the filmmakers.
“We’ve been working on this movie for many years and if someone is going to take time out of their personal life and support our film, whatever that support may be, at the very least what we can do is say thank you and buy them a couple of slices of pizza for caring about this project as much as we do,” “Fanboys” producer Matthew Perniciaro said.
Part of the groups problem seemed to be organization tactic, since the theater they chose to picket in Century City was in an open air mall: private property.
For Los Angeles, the group chose a mall in Century City rather than a public area. Malls are private property and AMC and Weinstein Co. personnel were able to shut down protesters, visibly identifiable in “Star Wars” costumes or geekwear such as a Green Lantern T-shirt, almost as soon as they stepped foot into the outdoor mall.
“Guards were everywhere,” said one protester, who declined to be identified. “At one point, I counted nine, no joke. They hired a whole force and whenever someone showed up looking around for the protest, they were surrounded by guards and told to leave instantly or be arrested. I guess you can’t really hold a protest on private property.”
As of now, the Weinstiens have yet to break and announce a theatrical release of the original cut of Fanboys, though they will be releasing it on DVD.
