Critically acclaimed director David Fincher has reportedly dropped out of the Steve Jobs biopic that he was supposed to direct, after failed negotiations.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony failed to meet his demands for salary and control of the production. It is reported that Fincher wanted $10 million dollars in up front costs, as well as control over marketing. Something Sony was not interested in doing.
Sony Pictures is looking to replace David Fincher as director of its highly anticipated Steve Jobs movie due to his aggressive demands for compensation and control, according to several sources.
Fincher is said to be seeking a hefty $10 million up front in fees, as well as control over marketing, in negotiations with the studio. Sony allowed him considerable input into the marketing of the 2011 film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, including honoring his request to use the tagline “The Feel Bad Movie of Christmas” in its campaign. A source says Fincher also had the studio create metal, razor-blade-shaped one-sheet materials for the film that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce but were not suitable for display in theaters..
A source with ties to the studio says Fincher potentially could re-enter negotiations but that the fee he is seeking is “ridiculous,” adding, “You’re not doing Transformers here. You’re not doing Captain America. This is quality — it’s not screaming commerciality. He should be rewarded in success but not up front.” [TheHollywoodReporter]
David Fincher has directed and produced some of the biggest films in Hollywood including Fight Club, Se7en, and The Social Network. It will be interesting to see who Sony plans to fill his shoes.
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