The film Jane Got a Gun is still a long way from coming to theater near you, and the behind the scenes turmoil seemingly marks a cautionary tale of all the ways an independent project can implode. That the movie, a western revolving a woman (Portman, also is also a producer on the film) who asks her ex-lover to for help in saving her outlaw husband from a gang out to kill him, will indeed make its way to theaters is somewhat a miracle, all things considered. The Weinstein Company and Relativity Media will partner to release the film sometime next year.
First a bit of backstory. Back in March when principle photography was set to begin, original director Lynne Ramsay (We Need to Talk About Kevin) was a no show on the first day of production. The problem related to backstage problems with the producers, including a standoff over final cut of the picture. In short, Ramsay eventually walked off the film even though she was handpicked by Portman and brought on top drawer talent like Michael Fassbender and Jude Law to co-star.
Now Ramsay being sued by the producers of the film for her alleged “abusive” behavior, but the gist of the suit is over (but of course) money. The lawsuit, first reported by K-RQE, states the producers (Portman included) are suing Ramsay over compensation the filmmaker received for directing and script doctoring duties that were never done nor returned. They also allege Ramsay was frequently drunk and was abusive towards the cast and crew prior to production.
Both Fassbender and Law eventually left the production in the midst of the bad buzz building and other scheduling commitments. Director Gavin O’Connor (Warrior) was hired on short notice to steer the movie forward and re-build the rotating cast and crew; he brought in his Warrior star Joel Edgerton and Bradley Cooper as a replacements as Portman’s characters ex-lover and the villain, respectively, but Cooper quickly left as shooting for the upcoming American Hustle demanded his time after the Boston marathon bombing delayed filming. Ewan McGregor ended up replacing him as the villain. All appeared nearly salvaged as the film completed production but now comes more behind-the-scenes machinations.
It will be interesting to see if Jane Got a Gun can recover all the backstage nonsense. As of now, the making-of drama is grandly, if in an off-putting way, compelling. At the very least, it should make for a heck of a commentary track on the DVD.
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