Summit picked it up because of Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster. There's the appearance of very little risk when you have names like that.

My friend works at Icon. And has been watching Mel practicing -- with a prototype puppet on his hand. Some of the stories are the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I really hope the movie makes it. It's a very tough sell to audiences imo. It's not really a comedy.

People may tend to forget but Gibson is a gifted comedic talent. And I can definitely see him pulling off the beaver hand puppet thing.

However do Gibson - in a comedy (I'm not sure how else Summit can market the movie) - and Foster as a director translate into certain box office results? In the context of this?

Of course, there's another reason that could, and likely did influence Summit: It's a prestige project. Whatever Gibson and Foster may / may not mean at the box office, they're still stars and that means something within the business. For Summit to get a project with 2 A-listers and a script that has been atop the Black List, therefore, well-known by creative execs, producers, agents, etc, it definitely is a buzz-worthy package from that perspective. Maybe that results in them being sent better projects, bigger projects, more name-heavy projects.

I agree with you, James, in that I hope the movie does well, too. Even if someone doesn't like or get the script, it's an innovative story concept, an extremely well-written script, and an interesting story.

James,

I have a couple scripts I would LOVE to get in Mel Gibson's hands to read, and possibly direct or star in. IF he's ever looking for material... and your friend's willing, I'd jump at the opportunity to have at shot at entertaining him. What I've got is a couple supernatural western thrillers.

So just lemme know IF that's ever a possibitility.

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA