The Weinstein Company has removed horror-thriller movie “Polaroid” from its Nov. 22 release date with no explanation.
Box office tracker comScore confirmed the move Tuesday. TWC’s Dimension Films began production in March in Nova Scotia on “Polaroid,” based on director Lars Klevberg’s short film about a high school loner who stumbles upon a vintage Polaroid camera tainted with a dark secret. She soon discovers the camera has the power to murder those who come in contact with it.
The cast includes Kathryn Prescott, Mitch Pileggi, Grace Zabriskie, Tyler Young, Keenan Tracey, Samantha Logan, Priscilla Quintana, Madelaine Petsch, and Javier Botet. Producers are Roy Lee and Chris Bender.
At the 2016 American Film Market, Klevberg and Lee made a presentation to buyers and touted the fright factor for “Polaroid.” Lee, who helped develop “The Ring” and “The Grudge” franchises, asserted that “Polaroid” would be a franchise starter. Weinstein’s brother Bob Weinstein, founder and head of Dimension, said at the same event that Dimension would focus on fewer films with bigger budgets in order to create franchises.
The pulling of the film is the latest development at TWC, which is in shambles in the wake of Harvey Weinstein’s descent to pariah status after accusations of assault and harassment from multiple women. The accusations were detailed in an Oct. 5 New York Times report that prompted further women to come forward. TWC ousted Weinstein from his own production-distribution company four days later. On Oct. 14, TWC pulled Benedict Cumberbatch historical drama “The Current War” from its planned Black Friday Nov. 24 release date, shelving the film for an undecided 2018 release. Its “Amityville: The Awakening” was released on Oct. 28 and grossed a tiny total of $742 at 10 locations after having been streamed for free on Google Play since Oct. 12.
