With “The Soloist” out of the Oscar frame this year, it looks like Paramount is going to push Roberty Downey Jr.’s role as Australian obsessive actor Kirk Lazarus, playing a black soldier in “Tropic Thunder” for Best Supporting Actor. Sound ridiculous? Hold that thought.
Last week it was announced that “The Soloist” was being pushed from a late November release, to a March 2009 one, way outside the Oscar 2008 frame, not making the film eligible.
There was some talk and speculation that perhaps the film would get a small NY, LA release to make it eligible for the Oscars, but this looks like Paramount’s officially not doing that according to a Variety report from last night. There’s also been some speculation that the “Soloist-push” is revenge move on Paramount’s part to give a parting, fuck-you shot to Dreamworks after the two studio’s bitter and recent split (Universal will now distribute their films).
Further evidence that this is a “fuck you” move? The Variety report says “DreamWorks, Working Title and CAA , which reps director Joe Wright, Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx, were not pleased.” Translation: they weren’t told until the announcement of the film’s push was made. Of course they were pissed. “We were blindsided,” said one CAA agent.
The announcement that Paramount is going to back RDJ for “Tropic Thunder,” basically means, ‘Soloist’ won’t even see the tiniest Oscar-qualifying-run in 2008 (they would never split their chances like that). It’s more insult to injury to DreamWorks basically.
Especially because, RDJ for “Tropic Thunder”? Yes, it’s a weird year and the Oscar frontrunners aren’t locked in or even come into focus in some cases, but this seems like and odd and weird choice. They must know he has no chance of winning, so is this even a more malicious fuck you? Or do they sincerely believe he has a shot? Especially against Heath Ledger? Very odd maneuvering going on.