Theodore Rex

Theodore Rex

Theodore Rex DVD cover
Directed by Jonathan Betuel
Produced by Richard Gilbert Abramson
Sue Baden-Powell
Written by Jonathan Betuel
Starring Whoopi Goldberg
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Music by Robert Folk
Cinematography David Tattersall
Editing by Steve Mirkovich
Rick Shaine
Distributed by New Line Cinema
Release date(s) United States/Canada:
July 2, 1996[1]
Japan:
July 27, 1996
United Kingdom:
August 26, 1996
Running time 92 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $33,500,000[2][3]

Theodore Rex, also known as T. Rex,[4][5] is a 1996[1] buddy cop/science fiction/family film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Though originally intended for theatrical release, the film went direct-to-video, and consequently became the most expensive direct-to-video film ever made at the time of its release.[6][7][8]

The film was not well received,[5][9] and saw Whoopi Goldberg being nominated for Worst Actress at the 1996 Golden Raspberry Awards (as well as for Bogus and Eddie).[10] Despite this, it was listed on the Billboard "Top Video Rentals" list for three weeks in August 1996, peaking at #34.[11][12][13]

Contents

Plot

In an alternate futuristic society, a tough female police detective is paired with a talking dinosaur to find the killer of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals leading them to a ruthless billionaire bent on killing off mankind by creating a new ice age.

Cast

Actor Role
Whoopi Goldberg Katie Coltrane
Armin Mueller-Stahl Elizar Kane
Juliet Landau Dr. Veronica Shade
Bud Cort Spinner
Stephen McHattie Edge
George Newbern Theodore Rex (voice)
Carol Kane Molly Rex (voice)
Richard Roundtree Commissioner Lynch
Jan Rabson Tina Rex (voice)
Charles Chiodo Guy in the Bag (voice)

Additional Voices provided by Billy Bowles, Rodger Bumpass, Jennifer Darling, Denise Dowse, Bill Farmer, Anne Lockhart, Sherry Lynn, Mickie McGowan, Patrick Pinney, and Philip Proctor

Goldberg lawsuit

Though Whoopi Goldberg had made a verbal agreement to star in the film in 1993, she attempted to back out. Abramson filed a US$20 million lawsuit against Goldberg, which they settled very quickly. Goldberg agreed to star in the film for $7 million,[2] $2 million more than the originally agreed-upon amount.[6]

One of the attorneys on the case described this as being similar to the legal battle of Kim Basinger when she tried to back out of the film Boxing Helena.[6]

Distribution

While the film was originally intended for theatrical release, New Line Cinema decided that it was in their best interests to release the film direct-to-video. This decision came as a result of failed test screenings in Las Vegas, Memphis, Portland and Providence.[6][14]

The film's $33.5 million budget made it the most expensive direct-to-video release at that time.[6]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Blowen, Michael (1996-06-30). "Mel Brooks' 'Dracula' is just not batty enough; THE MOVIE SECTION / Video Watch". The Boston Globe: p. B31. 
  2. ^ a b Love, Dennis (1996-04-04). "'Rex' Headed for Extinction?". People (UPI Newswire). 
  3. ^ Dutka, Elaine (1996-04-11). "Whoopi's Dino Disaster; Test Audiences Reject $ 33.5 Million Family Comedy". Chicago Sun-Times: p. 33. 
  4. ^ "FILMING IN THE U.S.". Daily Variety. 1994-11-18. 
  5. ^ a b Griffin, Gil (1997-10-23). "Reading Whoopi Goldberg like a 'Book'". The San Diego Union-Tribune: p. E-1. 
  6. ^ a b c d e Cox, Dan (1996-04-08). "New Line's dino pic extinct from bigscreen". Daily Variety: p. 9. 
  7. ^ Hubert, Andrea (2008-06-14). "The incredible sulk". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/features/story/0,,2285470,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-27. 
  8. ^ Wilkinson, Jack (1996-07-27). "What's new on the home video scene". United Press International. 
  9. ^ Meyers, Randy (1999-02-02). "Direct hits: Lucrative video arena attracting first-run, first-rate". Contra Costa Times. 
  10. ^ Scott, Vernon (1997-01-23). "The Hollywood Reporter". UPI Newswire. 
  11. ^ "Top Video Rentals". Billboard. 1996-08-10. 
  12. ^ "Top Video Rentals". Billboard. 1996-08-17. 
  13. ^ "Top Video Rentals". Billboard. 1996-08-24. 
  14. ^ Klady, Leonard (1996-07-01). "Theodore Rex". Daily Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117905390.html. Retrieved 2008-06-28. 

External links