Like a two-leaf clover with swine flu

When it comes to movie-making, you would think luck wouldn’t have much to do with the success or failure of a film. After all, you make sure you have great subject material, a well-adapted script, plenty of money in the budget for marketing, sturdy actors and most importantly an awesome director and crew. If the film turns out like Gigli, odds are you fucked up on one of the principle elements along the way. However, there are a handful of films who, due to no fault of their own, have been released on the worst dates. Like the little girl crushed to death by a piano which has fallen of a two-storey building, some people (or films) are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Below is a list of films I’ve put together that have been released on the worst possible days.
Collateral Damage Ahh yes, who could forget this oily, sweaty Arnie vehicle? Everyone apparently. And why is that you ask? The aptly title Collateral Damage had a September 11, 2001 release date. So you can imagine why audiences didn’t really feel like going to see a movie while arguably the largest terrorist attack of our time was occurring. If, by chance, they did want to go to the movies for a bit of escapism on said horrific day, I don’t think a film titled Collateral Damage would have been the pick. Then there’s the whole iffy plot issue about Arnie’s character who is trying to bring down international terrorists after they killed his family in a dramatic bombing scene. Several bombings of important government buildings ensue baring an errie resemblance to the actual events and trauma of 9/11. At the last minute studio execs managed to delay the release of the movie and pump it out a few weeks later accompanied by a press release preaching the anti-terrorism slogan of the film. Needless to say, Collateral Damage ddidn’t damage the box office, just the investors pockets.
World Trade CentreParamount studios had a splash of bad luck on the day they announced they would be making the first Hollywood dramatisation of 9/11. Ready and politically corrected as they were back in July 2005, unfortunately the day they announced World Trade Centre would be made starring Nicholas Cage, the London bombings occurred. Lets just say it didn’t exactly warm everyone to the idea.
Disaster Movie Admittedly Hollywood spoof movies are never going to be a major critical or commercial success but the following situation didn’t help. Lionsgate copped a back lashing (or 12) when they announced Disaster Movie would be released on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Maybe they thought the coincidence/unfortunate timing would slip under the radar or maybe it was intentional and therefore like most of the jokes in the film – tasteless.
GlitterOkay, I know this is possibly the most hated movie of all time and my tireless efforts to defend it and Mariah Carey are futile BUT (and there is a but) did I mention Glitter was released on September 11, 2001? Oh no, unlike Collateral Damage Glitter didn’t get the chance to reschedule a release date thus giving it a chance to gain an actual audience and a warmer critical response. I’ll stop now.