Last month we told you about writer/director Kevin Smith and his problems with the MPAA and the rating of his new comedy Zack And Miri Make A Porno. Well, those troubles seem to be continuing, and we are not quite sure of what to make of them.
This past weekend, Newsaskew reported that according to the MPAA’s website, their inital NC-17 rating, for graphic sexuality, was currently pending appeal. However, a search of their site today reveals that Zack And Miri aren’t even in their database. Did Smith and company loose their appeal and have now decided to release the film unrated?
However, according to a press release that was posted on the Hollywood Reporter’s website, the film is still on track for release with an NC-17 rating. Is the press release right and the MPAA’s database somehow wrong or was the film pulled after the press release was sent out?
If Smith lost the appeal, it puts the Weinstein Company, who will be releasing the film, in a tough spot. Both unrated and NC-17 rated films have a tough time in the market as traditionally many theater chains won’t book them and many newspapers won’t carry advertising for them. Of course, Smith has several things in his favor, the first being the star drawing power of Seth Rogen in one of the two title roles. He also has a legion of fans who will show up to his films no matter how well or poorly they are advertised. Also, does newspaper advertising count as much, or at all, in the internet age? The print medium has been hemmoraging readers at a fantastic rate to online outlets these past few years. Combined with the growth of online movie ticket purchasing, it is conceivable that lack of print advertising won’t play much of a factor in a film’s box office take any more.
So far, Smith has not commented on what the final rating for Zack And Miri will be. We will continue to follow the story.
