Harvey flying solo, but questions on a key piece of cargo

By Steven Zeitchik

It's been a Harvey Weinstein kind of week. First comes word that the indie mogul is in a battle with Scott Rudin over whether to release "The Reader" in 2008 or 2009. And Thursday the long-percolating rumors that TWC was severing its ties with MGM bubbled up and over, with Harvey Inc. cutting short its service deal with the Century City studio about three months before the deal was to expire (a pair of TWC movies with November dates will be handled by MGM).

The timing couldn't be better -- for both parties. MGM is in a state of both growth and uncertainly, growth with its development slate under Mary Parent and uncertainty with a large production facility still waiting in the wings in these embattled Wall Street times. Distributing titles that came about when both it and the studio behind those titles were in very different places is hardly a priority now, nor should it be.

Meanwhile, TWC in a month is set to release what could be its biggest moneymaker in its 3+ years in business, "Zack and Miri Make a Porno," and just in the nick of time, with the company in need of a hit and new buzz. Handling "Zack" -- as well as most of the half dozen or so other titles that remain to be released this year -- is the right move at so critical a moment.

Speaking of Weinstein movies that remain to be released this year -- well, according to some, anyway -- some new details are emerging in the Weinstein-Rudin showdown over "The Reader."

One interesting bit -- there are indications that the battle began not just a month or two ago but all the way back in January, when Rudin said emphatically he didn't want the movie out this year and Harvey said let's wait and see what we have (and then eventually decided to announce this fall they were aiming for December). That
the battle continues into October with no resolution in sight is a sign of the mens' tenacity -- and the low probability it will be resolved anytime soon.

The scrum isn't the the only thing that's been going on for a while. Kate Winslet, too, has apparently been saying for months she won't do media for "The Reader" if it comes out in 2008. The actress, of course, not only has another awards contender in "Revolutionary Road," she has an another awards contender directed by her husband in "Revolutionary Road."

The buzz is also strong on that movie, and Winslet apparently is sticking to her position that, for her, she wants it to be about that period movie all the time. "Revolutionary Road" may be set in the 1950's and "The Reader" in the 1940's, but this is Weinstein Oscar drama like it's 1999.

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[Anon]

men's not mens'