It hasnât been a great day for directors. First, Pete Travis (Vantage Point) was locked out of the editing phase of the Judge Dredd reboot. Now there is news that Dream House director, Jim Sheridan, had petitioned the Directors Guild of America over the summer to have his name removed from the project. In retrospect, this would have been a blessing for the six-time Oscar-nominee since Dream House is currently lagging in the box office and is tanking critically.Once upon a time, a director wishing to distance himself from a project would be replaced by the name âAlan Smithee,â aka âJohn Doe,â but this usage was discontinued in 2000. Guild etiquette suggests that said director not divulge the circumstances surrounding this move, but thanks to the internet, we have the scoop. Hit the jump for more details.News of Sheridanâs displeasure with Dream House comes by way of the LA Times. The initial cause for separation stemmed from Sheridanâs negative opinion of the final cut of the film. In petitioning the DGA to remove his name, the guild would have to have found that the final product was significantly different from his intended cut. The bid was originally dropped when Morgan Creek Productions, the major financial backer, agreed to reshoots.However, tensions on set arose as Sheridan drifted from David Louckaâs script in favor of improvisation. This, in turn, led to Morgan Creek seizing control in the editing phase after less-than-inspiring test screenings. Sheridan did not have âfinal cutâ of the film and the current iteration of Dream House is a product of Morgan Creekâs edit. (Not that I expect the directorâs cut on Blu-ray anytime soon.) Refusing to do publicity for the film when Universal Pictures released it last week, Sheridan resumed his petition of the guild.One has to question whether this collapse has more to do with the Dream House project or Sheridanâs career in recent years. 2005âs Get Rich or Die Tryinâ and 2009âs war drama Brothers did not do him any favors. Some seem to believe that the Irish-born Sheridan should return to his roots with relevant cultural themes like his 1993 film In the Name of the Father or 2002âs In America. Perhaps his involvement in the âCities of Loveâ franchise, Shanghai, I Love You will net him a result heâd be proud to attach his name to once again.
Director Jim Sheridan Wants His Name Removed From DREAM HOUSE
Director Jim Sheridan Wants His Name Removed From DREAM HOUSE which stars Daniel Craig.