As this week of horrible, devastating and disheartening news around Harvey Weinstein and the dozens of allegations of harassment and assault continues, the very fate of The Weinstein Company has come into question. Rumors that Jay Z (who was misquoted in Weinstein’s rambling non-apology in The New York Times) was going to buy Harvey Weinstein’s stake in the studio were just that, and now, Bob Weinstein is trying to assure the industry that while an inferno rages around him and the company, everything is just fine at The Weinstein Company.
The executive has issued the following statement, which denies that The Weinstein Company is up for sale or in the process of shutting down. Heck, “Paddington 2” is still coming out, hooray!
Our banks, partners and shareholders are fully supportive of our company and it is untrue that the company or board is exploring a sale or shutdown of the company. Polaroid is moving forward as planned with a release date of November 22 followed by Paddington 2 on January 12. The first Paddington grossed over $75 million and we expect even greater success for Paddington 2. Test screening scores are through the roof. War with Grandpa starring Robert De Niro is scheduled for February 23, 2018. Business is continuing as usual as the company moves ahead.
It’s hard to express just how tone deaf and appallingly unaware this statement is, released without a single word of recognition to the countless victims of Harvey Weinstein who have come forward. I’d imagine The Weinstein Company’s legal team doesn’t want anybody at the company giving any suggestion of fault, especially considering Harvey Weinstein’s employment contract may have provided him a framework to continue assaulting women without any fear of repercussion.
It should be noted that “The Current War,” previously scheduled for limited release on November 24th before going wide in January, looks to have been taken off the calendar. Harvey Weinstein himself said he was editing the film following its disastrous reception at the Toronto International Film Festival, but it’s not a shock TWC isn’t going to attempt any kind of awards rush this season. It’s a brand that no one wants to be involved with at the moment….except the sterling people in the financial sector, including banks, partners and shareholders….
