Odeon reverses Wonderland boycott

[Hecktix]

Odeon reverses Alice in Wonderland boycott

Mia Wasikowska plays a teenage Alice in Tim Burton's 3D film

Odeon has reversed its decision to boycott Tim Burton's new 3D film version of Alice in Wonderland following talks with Disney.
The cinema chain had vowed not to show the film in the UK, Irish Republic and Italy over Disney's plans to release the film on DVD at the end of May.
Actor Michael Sheen, who plays the White Rabbit, said the row had been "a storm in a mad hatter's tea cup".
"I'm glad they've resolved it," he told the BBC.
Earlier, Burton had called Odeon's decision not to screen the film as "upsetting".
It was nonsense. It didn't make any sense


Helena Bonham Carter on the row

"I feel terrible about it," the director told the BBC's Breakfast programme. "To me it doesn't make anybody look good."
Burton added that he hoped "something is going to be worked out", but had not been involved in talks, which are understood to have lasted late into Wednesday night.
His partner, Helena Bonham Carter, who stars as the Red Queen in the film, was more forthright.
"It was embarrassing and awful," she said, adding that her children had been without their father "for the last nine months" because of the demands of making a 3D film.
"Then just to be told, 'we're not going to show it in 3D', it felt like being in Wonderland. It was nonsense. It didn't make any sense."
"It was not a happy household for the last few weeks, I can tell you that."
'New benchmark'
Odeon made its original decision in response to Disney's plan to reduce the period between a film's debut and its DVD release from the standard 17 weeks.
The cinema chain said the plan would "set a new benchmark, leading to a 12-week window becoming rapidly standard".
In a statement following talks with Disney, Odeon said: "The Odeon and UCI Cinema Group is pleased to announce that, following detailed negotiations with the Walt Disney Company Ltd, an enduring agreement has been reached encompassing all the different aspects of both companies' commercial relationship.

Burton tells BBC Breakfast he is unhappy about Odeon and Disney's wrangle

"As a result of this agreement, Odeon is pleased to confirm that it will be able to continue with its plans for significant investment in new cinemas, in digital technology, in 3D capability and the other exciting developments designed for the increased enjoyment of all its customers."
Neither side would disclose terms of the agreement, but the Cineworld and Vue cinema chains, which will also be screening the film, had previously agreed to a 13-week gap between opening night and the DVD release.
Mia Wasikowska, who plays Alice in the film, said the cast had been "aware" of the dispute, but "let the studio handle it".
"I'm glad that it's over," she added.
Burton, Bonham Carter, and Johnny Depp, who stars as the Mad Hatter, will be at the Royal premiere on Thursday evening.
The gala screening is due to take place at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.

I'm well happy with this, as Lincoln only has an odeon!

[Melsia]

YAY, I'm so glad, I was gutted when I heard they weren't showing it because the IMAX we have at Gateshead is odeon and I would want to see it in real 3-d

[Hecktix]

YAY, I'm so glad, I was gutted when I heard they weren't showing it because the IMAX we have at Gateshead is odeon and I would want to see it in real 3-d

Yeah I'm really happy too, I would probably have gone seen it with Nicki in Manchester but this gives me more free reign.

Be interesting to know what their agreement was but things like that will never get revealed

[Misawa]

It is a shame the cinemas didn't stand up to them more defiantly.

[Hecktix]

It is a shame the cinemas didn't stand up to them more defiantly.

Yeah, I kinda agree with odeon tbh although 12 weeks is still a long time.

[dirrty]

It is a shame the cinemas didn't stand up to them more defiantly.

yeah, i agree. i was hoping that they stood by their point and wouldn't give in. now only time will tell whether disney do this to all of their films, but i wouldn't be surprised tbh.

i wasn't really that bothered that odeon wasn't showing it as i would of gone to showcase cinema anyway

[chantellehugs]

The showcase cinema near me is okay, but they don't do the nachos I HAVE to have

[Melsia]

Yeah I'm really happy too, I would probably have gone seen it with Nicki in Manchester but this gives me more free reign.

Be interesting to know what their agreement was but things like that will never get revealed

It might just be because I'm nosey but I really wish things like this got revealed! I think Odeon will get a good amount of money from this film though, I know I've been looking forward to it for almost a year... I like a good Tim Burton

[kk.]

Avatar is still topping the box office after 7 weeks. Alvin and the chipmunks are second after 6 weeks. Lets say they stay in for another 3-4 weeks. that means that the people who went to see it in the last week it was released, they could get it on DVD 2 weeks later, compared to what it wouldve been (cant remember, 13 or 15?)

seems like a relatively small amount of time

[Nicola]

I was talking about this with my Grandad today - he'll be happy now as the Odeon is the only cinema he goes to