Where is Bel Ami?
July 19, 2011 Maria 23 comments
Categories : Bel Ami , Sites / Blog Articles

This is a question we are all asking and even Georges seems to be trying to locate screening times.  (As I’ve mentioned before  my contact in the Aussie distribution company told me last month that they are going to announce details soon, and although I’m still waiting *tapsfoot* – impatiently I might add, please don’t hound them, they will tell us as soon as they can and irritating them with countless emails or phone calls won’t fasten the process).  In any event, hollywoodnews.com is stating this:

“IMDB Pro lists its release date as August 25th. Yes, that’s August 25th of 2011 (just 39 days from today). But, if it’s set to open so soon, where are the promos? Where’s the press? Where’s the fanfare around “Bel Ami”?

We asked an identical question earlier this year, after some fishiness following the distribution company’s statement about the film’s release. Since our February article, there have been more new questions than answers. Per IMDB, the August 25th release date is attributed to Greece.  Three September release dates are subsequently listed for Denmark, Norway, and France. Yet, the distribution company’s earlier announcement about an August 2011 U.K. release date is nowhere to be found, and it seems nobody knows when this film will release in the U.S. [Maria:  The UK’s release date is rumoured to be pushed to next year.  Given that we haven’t seen a trailer I too find the Greece release date as doubtful, but that’s just me].

It gets weirder: a June 8th “Breaking Dawn” featurette in The Hollywood Reporter peripherally mentioned an October 19th release date for “Bel Ami”. Yet, this is the only mention any reputable venue has made, and when a skeptical fan left a comment asking for additional confirmation, The Hollywood Reporter did not reply. [Maria:  This US date was also on IMDbPro until recently – it has subsequently been removed].

There are other clues that “Bel Ami” may not be forthcoming—at least not this summer or fall. IMDB lists the film as “in production,” yet films in the editorial phase are typically listed as being in “post-production”. And there doesn’t appear to be any new press activity even in the markets where IMDB says the film is set to open in just over a month. [Maria:  IMDbPro does not list it as “in production” it’s listed as “completed” see screencap below.  Not sure where Kim got that information from].

So, where is “Bel Ami”? And, if it will be released any time soon, why would its distributors miss opportunities to promote it? Given its star-studded cast (Uma Thurman, Kristen Scott Thomas and Christina Ricci support Pattinson in the film) and an ongoing information vacuum, the film’s absence won’t go unnoticed by the mainstream for long. [Maria:  There was a rumour it was to be screened at the 68th Venice Film Festival during 31 August to 10 Sept 2011 – the program is supposed to be released this Friday, 22 July – let’s wait and see if it’s mentioned since Protagonist’s site is like a ghost town when it comes to Bel-Ami *cries*].

 
(Ugh don’t make me go into IMDbPro – it hurts to see nothing listed under “future films” or “in development” *deepbreaths*)

Thanks to our wonderful friend Suze at PattinsonStateofMind for the tip for this article.

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23 comments on “Where is Bel Ami?”

    Michelle

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:21 am

    Oh Georges, when are we ever going to see you?? *cries* I hope when I log in every day we will see some news about the film. Please people’s give us something solid – anything!

    Ditto re: IMDbPro Maria 🙁

    lids

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:23 am

    Yes, the lack of prmotion for Bel Ami is baffling, but as i think you said @
    Maria some time ago, it is not a Hollywood production…
    Never the less, there is a lot of fans waiting patiently for the release of this movie.

    Shirlee

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:26 am

    It’s Summit – I know it is, they don’t want Twilight’s young fans to see Rob portraying a dick (pardon me) but he said it himself!

    Martha M

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:32 am

    *crys* Thanks for the info Maria, I’m so sad that the US has nothing, not even a rumor. But very interesting.

    Maria

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:41 am

    LOL @Shirlee – I don’t think Summit has that much control over a London production house and there’s more high profile actors involved than Rob. Also I can’t see this film getting anything less than an MA rating which means the impressionable Twihards won’t even get a look in.

    My guess is that they either weren’t happy with the reaction they received from the test audience last year (although no reshoots have been done) or they themselves want to distance themselves (Protagonist I mean) from the Twilight hype. It’s baffling as we head on towards 14 months post filming. OMG Queen’s song just came into my head “I Want it All and I Want it Now”!!! *giggles*

    Vicky

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:45 am

    Please someone give us something about this movie. At this point I would settle for anything *crieswithMartha*.

    Maria, I can’t even let myself think about there being nothing lined up for Rob let alone go to IMDbPro. You’re braver than me!!!!

    Maria

    • July 19, 2011 at 10:01 am

    LOL @Vicky – Vertigo was making fun of me yesterday when I emailed her and said “I keep hitting refresh waiting for something”. I can’t believe I pay for that trauma!

    Vertigo

    • July 19, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    It’s a debacle is what it is. We want Georges! We want Georges!

    LOL Maria, I was concerned you’d forget to blink while hitting the refresh key.

    Kafka

    • July 19, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they were trying to change the movie either to make George (ie Rob – to keep all the fans happy) more likable, or to have a different ending. Have you heard anything regarding this?

    Maria

    • July 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    @Kafka I have no recollection of anyone saying that but that doesn’t mean someone hasn’t. All I remember is Rob in an early interview saying how they had kept truer to the book unlike the 1947 George Sanders/Angela Lansbury version where they changed the ending completely because back then they didn’t want to upset people. If anyone’s interested it’s called The Private Affairs of Bel-Ami.

    I just can’t see the logic in changing something to keep fans happy – more like they want to make sure they can cash in on the fans. Personally, I am happy to see Rob portray anyone – a murderer, a cheat, a lovable rogue, the perfect husband/boyfriend, the good looking lead – hell even a vampire *giggles*, but I especially want to see him as a ruthless manwhoring bastard . I mean seriously there is nothing Rob could do to make me love him less – maybe because I can separate fiction from reality.

    Gotta say though … he’s not so lovable as Eric either … we better not cop this same crap for Cosmopolis or heads will roll …

    Jules

    • July 19, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    Ugh! This is so freaking annoying!! I can’t believe the problems this seems to be having. Grrrr. I vaguely remember reading the reason it was pushed back for UK release was due to talent availability for promo. o.O I still don’t think we actually got a date though – just an excuse. *sigh* It must be baffling to all the actors involved – it’s certainly baffling (and infuriating) to us fans. I was DuRob. LOL Maria – yeah – I want it all and I want it now too. haha

    Thanks for the update @Maria (& Suze) 😉

    Keep hitting that refresh button btw.

    Maria

    • July 19, 2011 at 7:52 pm

    Yeah Jules that’s the reason I saw about UK being pushed back too – in the words of the English “bollocks”! Rob’s pretty free from now to whenever – so I’m not believing you Protagonist!!

    BTW I have RSI from hitting refresh lol.

    Bee Kaye

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    waiting, waiting, waiting…patiently. Thanks so much for the info and the gorgeous pic of Georges Rob.

    Bee Kaye

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:13 pm

    @ Maria, yes, I hope they will stay with the character – no sanitization please!!

    Maria

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I know @Bee Kaye – I swear if they water Georges down I think I might get a lynch mob together – just like in Frankenstein with torches and everything LOL

    Cindy

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    Grrrr…..this sucks and blows But thanks for the update none the less Maria. Your mood pic says it all really.

    Michelle

    • July 19, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Grrrrrrr I’ll join you Maria! You better not water Georges down people *glares* Don’t go getting any ideas or we’ll come after you!!

    lise-lou

    • July 19, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    *spits dummy* oh Maria I am with you I want it all and I want it NOW!!!! I know good things come to those who wait and all but this is getting out of hand *pouts*

    mema

    • July 20, 2011 at 4:16 am

    ur right Maria in every words u say im not happy right now for how things tern to for this movie and for the future project and im like u a look to his IMDB every day just to see if there something new (cries)but nothing please God help us and help him too 🙁

    mema

    • July 20, 2011 at 5:28 am

    but i know one thing that will bring joy me and all the friends on the world in this weekend its Maria.s Bday so i have to say from now happy birthday dear and i wish u a happy life with all the people u love :0

    mema

    • July 20, 2011 at 5:31 am

    i mean( to me) this keyboard will kill me one day (i hop not :))

    Carmel

    • July 20, 2011 at 10:13 am

    I am really sure Rob signed on specifically to play a RMB so they better leave Georges alone.
    And as you say, there are many high profile actors in this movie. It was never intended for a young audience so it would be a crime to pander to that demographic.
    My God. They still have no idea who Rob’s fans are. This movie will do its best business the more adult it is . The same with Cosmoplis. I am confident that one wont get watered down.
    Thanks for keeping us updated Maria

    Maria

    • July 21, 2011 at 7:38 am

    Thanks @mema I must have missed this comment yesterday 😀

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