Opinions
Talking Points: Are You Still Excited for ‘Fanboys’?
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on December 1, 2007
When it was almost released the first time earlier this year, director Kyle Newman’s Fanboys was being billed as a love letter to the greatest movie franchise of all-time: Star Wars. It was undoubtedly going to be one of the best road-trip movies of all-time, an homage to all things geek! It even went as far as to feature then “Veronica Mars” star and current “Heroes” sexpot Kristen Bell in a Princess Leia costume — yummy. Then it got delayed.
But as director Kyle Newman told TheForce.net back in May, it was all for good reason. “We made Fanboys for under five million dollars. And the studio has given us the go-ahead to do the things to it that we couldnt do with our initial limited schedule and budget. There are one or two hilarious things that I wanted to shoot and they are giving me the funds to do it.” Newman and the folks at The Weinstein Company also went on later in the year to offer up a walk-on role in fanboys to a fan who could prove that they were the Ultimate Fanboy.
So needless to say, the delay had nothing to do with the film being a big fat dud. But still, even as The Weinstein Company gears up the marketing machine for the film’s January 18, 2008 release, we are left to wonder whether fans are just as excited now as the were in late 2006. Personally, I am still eagerly awaiting the film’s release, but I can’t say that I am as pumped as I was. For some reason, I had lost the overwhelming sense of excitement. Then again, one more look at Ms. Bell in her Leia costume and I seem to be getting excited — mentally, that is. Get your minds out of the gutter!
Either way, to whet your pallet, we have scored the following three shots from the film, which were officially released by the studio this week. Also, we have left you a little question — a discussion starter if you will — below the pics.
Up for Discussion: Are you still excited about Fanboys? If not, why not? Do you think the long release delay has hurt the film’s buzz?
Read more articles by Neil Miller
4 Comments
December 1st, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I completely forgot about this movie, so my excitement level was zero. But then I saw a picture of Kristen Bell as Slave Girl Leia and needless to say my excitement level is now at “please don’t make me write on the chalkboard” levels. Also add in Chris Marquette, who is both a tremendously nice fellow and a hilarious actor, and I’m back on board.
I don’t think the delay will hurt the film. Remember how long we had to wait for the ‘new’ Star Wars movies? They sucked on their own accord, not because they were released far apart. So as long as this film is legitimately funny, people will go see it. The only negative impact of the delay will probably be from some movie insiders (readers of this site, reviewers, Variety subscribers) who know that delays often mean problems and might want to avoid it. But positive word of mouth could bring every single one of those people back in the fold. Add to that the delay was apparently made to add in some higher budget cool shit, and I think the movie will perform well on any date.
I think this movie will do just as well as it would have at any release and I am very excited about this film.
December 2nd, 2007 at 6:03 am
i have to agree about kristen bell, but very rarely do i say a blonde shouldve stayed a blonde instead of a brunette but i think its true here. anyways i think this movies been gone long enough so that i forgot how excited i was waiting for this and will be able to go in without worrying about being disappointed. anyways i am super excited lol.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:03 am
I kept forgetting about this movie, even when it was still being worked on, so I don’t think the delay has hurt me too much. However, it really does depend on how much marketing they put into it! If they push the boat out and really get it talked about before the release (though they don’t have much time now) they could get it back at the forefront of all geek minds, but with Cloverfield coming out on the same day, it could be competing against an already enormous marketing machine to no great effect. Mind you, putting the pictures of Kristen Bell out on the net would probably advertise the movie pretty well to the males…
One other thing, I’m really glad they have a female geek in this movie, instead of it just being males. We do exist, y’know!
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:57 am
Oh, hell yeah. I saw several clips from the film at Comic-Con in July, and they were hi-lar-ious. I’ll be first in line.
Or second. Whatever. Depends on how soon I can get there after I get my action figures put away. Mom hates when I leave the apartment messy!