| Theodore Rex | |
|---|---|
 Canadian video poster | |
| Directed by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Written by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Tattersall |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Robert Folk |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $33.5 million [2] [3] |
Theodore Rex, also known as T. Rex, [4] [5] is a 1996 [6] buddy cop science-fiction comedy film written and directed by Jonathan Betuel and 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. [7] [8] [9]
The film was not well-received, [5] [10] and saw Whoopi Goldberg being nominated for Worst Actress at the 1996 Golden Raspberry Awards. [11] It is the first direct-to-video movie to receive any sort of Razzie nomination. [12]
Plot
 | This article needs an improved
plot summary. (May 2015) |
In an alternate futuristic society where humans and anthropomorphic dinosaurs co-exist, a tough police detective named Katie Coltrane ( Whoopi Goldberg) is paired with an anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus named Theodore Rex ( George Newbern) 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
Live action
- Whoopi Goldberg as Katie Coltrane
- Armin Mueller-Stahl as Elizar Kane
- Juliet Landau as Dr. Veronica Shade
- Bud Cort as Spinner
- Stephen McHattie as Edge
- Richard Roundtree as Commissioner Lynch
- Jack Riley as Alaric
- Joe Dallesandro as Rogan
- Calvin Scott as Smithersaurus
Voice cast
- George Newbern as Theodore Rex
- Carol Kane as Molly Rex
- Hayward O. Coleman as Oliver Rex / Tina The Waitress
- Jan Rabson as Tina Rex
- Billy Bowles, Rodger Bumpass, Jennifer Darling, Denise Dowse, Bill Farmer, Anne Lockhart, Sherry Lynn, Mickie McGowan, Patrick Pinney, and Philip Proctor as Additional voices
Puppeteers
- Kevin Carlson as Ankylosaurus Dad
- Charles Chiodo as Guy In The Bag
- Edward Chiodo as Caterpillar
- Steven Chiodo as Guy In The Bag
- Tom Fisher as Ankylosaurus
- Terri Hardin as Molly Rex (face performance)
- Bruce Lanoil as Theodore Rex (face performance) / Oliver Rex (face performance)
- Pons Maar as Theodore Rex (in-suit performer)
- James Murray as Tina The Waitress
- Tony Sabin Prince as Molly Rex (in-suit performer)
- Dwight Robers as Guy In The Bag
- Paul Salamoff as Various Dinosaurs
- Michelan Sisti as Various Dinosaurs
- Jack Tate as Various Dinosaurs
Production
The lead character Katie was originally a white male with Kurt Russell considered for the role. [13]
Reception
Theodore Rex received negative reviews from critics and audiences. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 0% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 1.7/10. [14] Variety magazine gave the film a negative review, saying, "This is one T. rex that won’t be spared the tar pits." [15] William Thomas of Empire magazine gave the film a one out of five stars and said, "Steer Clear". [16]
In a 2015 interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, Goldberg stated that this is the only film she regrets ever having done: "Don't ask me why I did it, I didn't want to", she said. [17] Goldberg also said it made "no sense to anybody to like it". [18]
Goldberg lawsuit
Though Whoopi Goldberg had made an oral agreement to star in the film in October 1992, [6] she attempted to back out. Abramson filed a US$20 million lawsuit against Goldberg, which was settled quickly. Goldberg agreed to star in the film for $7 million, [2] $2 million more than the amount originally agreed upon. [7]
One of the attorneys on the case described this as being similar to the legal battle of Kim Basinger when she backed out of the film Boxing Helena. [7]
Distribution
The film was originally intended for theatrical release in North America during Christmas 1995, but a glut of competition as well as a rush on post production work for the effects heavy film led to New Line Cinema delaying release. [19] They subsequently intended to release it to coincide with Goldberg's hosting stint at the Academy Awards the following year, [6] but ultimately decided that it was in their best interests to release the film direct-to-video. This decision came as a result of failed test marketing in Las Vegas, Memphis, Portland, Maine and Providence. [7] [20] The film's $33.5 million budget made it the most expensive direct-to-video release at that time. [7]
The international distributors to whom New Line had pre-sold the rights to the film adopted a different release strategy by distributing theatrically in every country except the United States and Italy. [6]
See also
References
- ^ Blowen, Michael (1996-06-30). "Mel Brooks' 'Dracula' is just not batty enough; THE MOVIE SECTION / Video Watch". The Boston Globe. p. B31.
- ^ a b Love, Dennis (1996-04-04). "'Rex' Headed for Extinction?". People. UPI Newswire.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (1996-04-11). "Whoopi's Dino Disaster; Test Audiences Reject $ 33.5 Million Family Comedy". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 33.
- ^ "Filming in the U.S.". Daily Variety. 1994-11-18.
- ^ a b Griffin, Gil (1997-10-23). "Reading Whoopi Goldberg like a 'Book'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E-1.
- ^ a b c d Blowen, Michael (1996-06-30). "'Rex': Extinct on the Big Screen". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
- ^ a b c d e Cox, Dan (1996-04-08). "New Line's dino pic extinct from bigscreen". Daily Variety. p. 9.
- ^ Hubert, Andrea (2008-06-14). "The incredible sulk". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- ^ Wilkinson, Jack (1996-07-27). "What's new on the home video scene". United Press International.
- ^ Meyers, Randy (1999-02-02). "Direct hits: Lucrative video arena attracting first-run, first-rate". Contra Costa Times.
- ^ Scott, Vernon (1997-01-23). " The Hollywood Reporter". UPI Newswire.
- ^ Baldock, Luke Ryan (9 August 2012). "10 Terrible Dinosaur Films That Should Be Extinct!". thehollywoodnews.com.
- ^ Harris, Blake (2015-08-21). "How Did This Get Made? Theodore Rex (An Oral History)". /Film. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ^ "Theodore Rex". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Theodore Rex". July 1996.
- ^ "Theodore Rex".
- ^ "'Não há muito espaço para negros por aí', diz Whoopi Goldberg – 25/02/2015 – Ilustrada – Folha de S.Paulo". uol.com.br.
- ^ "Whoopi Goldberg Regrets Starring In Bizarre Talking Dinosaur Movie 'Theodore Rex'". 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ^ "H'w'd banks on Xmas laugh riot". 9 October 1995.
- ^ Klady, Leonard (1996-07-01). "Theodore Rex". Daily Variety. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
External links
- 1996 films
- 1996 direct-to-video films
- 1990s buddy cop films
- American science fiction comedy films
- American buddy cop films
- American children's comedy films
- 1990s science fiction comedy films
- Films about Tyrannosaurus
- Fiction about modern-day dinosaurs
- New Line Cinema direct-to-video films
- Films about friendship
- Puppet films
- Films set in the future
- Films scored by Robert Folk
- 1996 comedy films
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s American films
- American direct-to-video films
- Stinkers Bad Movie Award winning films
| Theodore Rex | |
|---|---|
|
Canadian video poster | |
| Directed by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Written by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Tattersall |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Robert Folk |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $33.5 million [2] [3] |
Theodore Rex, also known as T. Rex, [4] [5] is a 1996 [6] buddy cop science-fiction comedy film written and directed by Jonathan Betuel and 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. [7] [8] [9]
The film was not well-received, [5] [10] and saw Whoopi Goldberg being nominated for Worst Actress at the 1996 Golden Raspberry Awards. [11] It is the first direct-to-video movie to receive any sort of Razzie nomination. [12]
Plot
| This article needs an improved
plot summary. (May 2015) |
In an alternate futuristic society where humans and anthropomorphic dinosaurs co-exist, a tough police detective named Katie Coltrane ( Whoopi Goldberg) is paired with an anthropomorphic Tyrannosaurus named Theodore Rex ( George Newbern) 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
Live action
- Whoopi Goldberg as Katie Coltrane
- Armin Mueller-Stahl as Elizar Kane
- Juliet Landau as Dr. Veronica Shade
- Bud Cort as Spinner
- Stephen McHattie as Edge
- Richard Roundtree as Commissioner Lynch
- Jack Riley as Alaric
- Joe Dallesandro as Rogan
- Calvin Scott as Smithersaurus
Voice cast
- George Newbern as Theodore Rex
- Carol Kane as Molly Rex
- Hayward O. Coleman as Oliver Rex / Tina The Waitress
- Jan Rabson as Tina Rex
- Billy Bowles, Rodger Bumpass, Jennifer Darling, Denise Dowse, Bill Farmer, Anne Lockhart, Sherry Lynn, Mickie McGowan, Patrick Pinney, and Philip Proctor as Additional voices
Puppeteers
- Kevin Carlson as Ankylosaurus Dad
- Charles Chiodo as Guy In The Bag
- Edward Chiodo as Caterpillar
- Steven Chiodo as Guy In The Bag
- Tom Fisher as Ankylosaurus
- Terri Hardin as Molly Rex (face performance)
- Bruce Lanoil as Theodore Rex (face performance) / Oliver Rex (face performance)
- Pons Maar as Theodore Rex (in-suit performer)
- James Murray as Tina The Waitress
- Tony Sabin Prince as Molly Rex (in-suit performer)
- Dwight Robers as Guy In The Bag
- Paul Salamoff as Various Dinosaurs
- Michelan Sisti as Various Dinosaurs
- Jack Tate as Various Dinosaurs
Production
The lead character Katie was originally a white male with Kurt Russell considered for the role. [13]
Reception
Theodore Rex received negative reviews from critics and audiences. On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 0% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 1.7/10. [14] Variety magazine gave the film a negative review, saying, "This is one T. rex that won’t be spared the tar pits." [15] William Thomas of Empire magazine gave the film a one out of five stars and said, "Steer Clear". [16]
In a 2015 interview with the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S.Paulo, Goldberg stated that this is the only film she regrets ever having done: "Don't ask me why I did it, I didn't want to", she said. [17] Goldberg also said it made "no sense to anybody to like it". [18]
Goldberg lawsuit
Though Whoopi Goldberg had made an oral agreement to star in the film in October 1992, [6] she attempted to back out. Abramson filed a US$20 million lawsuit against Goldberg, which was settled quickly. Goldberg agreed to star in the film for $7 million, [2] $2 million more than the amount originally agreed upon. [7]
One of the attorneys on the case described this as being similar to the legal battle of Kim Basinger when she backed out of the film Boxing Helena. [7]
Distribution
The film was originally intended for theatrical release in North America during Christmas 1995, but a glut of competition as well as a rush on post production work for the effects heavy film led to New Line Cinema delaying release. [19] They subsequently intended to release it to coincide with Goldberg's hosting stint at the Academy Awards the following year, [6] but ultimately decided that it was in their best interests to release the film direct-to-video. This decision came as a result of failed test marketing in Las Vegas, Memphis, Portland, Maine and Providence. [7] [20] The film's $33.5 million budget made it the most expensive direct-to-video release at that time. [7]
The international distributors to whom New Line had pre-sold the rights to the film adopted a different release strategy by distributing theatrically in every country except the United States and Italy. [6]
See also
References
- ^ Blowen, Michael (1996-06-30). "Mel Brooks' 'Dracula' is just not batty enough; THE MOVIE SECTION / Video Watch". The Boston Globe. p. B31.
- ^ a b Love, Dennis (1996-04-04). "'Rex' Headed for Extinction?". People. UPI Newswire.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (1996-04-11). "Whoopi's Dino Disaster; Test Audiences Reject $ 33.5 Million Family Comedy". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 33.
- ^ "Filming in the U.S.". Daily Variety. 1994-11-18.
- ^ a b Griffin, Gil (1997-10-23). "Reading Whoopi Goldberg like a 'Book'". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E-1.
- ^ a b c d Blowen, Michael (1996-06-30). "'Rex': Extinct on the Big Screen". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
- ^ a b c d e Cox, Dan (1996-04-08). "New Line's dino pic extinct from bigscreen". Daily Variety. p. 9.
- ^ Hubert, Andrea (2008-06-14). "The incredible sulk". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
- ^ Wilkinson, Jack (1996-07-27). "What's new on the home video scene". United Press International.
- ^ Meyers, Randy (1999-02-02). "Direct hits: Lucrative video arena attracting first-run, first-rate". Contra Costa Times.
- ^ Scott, Vernon (1997-01-23). " The Hollywood Reporter". UPI Newswire.
- ^ Baldock, Luke Ryan (9 August 2012). "10 Terrible Dinosaur Films That Should Be Extinct!". thehollywoodnews.com.
- ^ Harris, Blake (2015-08-21). "How Did This Get Made? Theodore Rex (An Oral History)". /Film. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ^ "Theodore Rex". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ "Theodore Rex". July 1996.
- ^ "Theodore Rex".
- ^ "'Não há muito espaço para negros por aí', diz Whoopi Goldberg – 25/02/2015 – Ilustrada – Folha de S.Paulo". uol.com.br.
- ^ "Whoopi Goldberg Regrets Starring In Bizarre Talking Dinosaur Movie 'Theodore Rex'". 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ^ "H'w'd banks on Xmas laugh riot". 9 October 1995.
- ^ Klady, Leonard (1996-07-01). "Theodore Rex". Daily Variety. Retrieved 2008-06-28.
External links
- 1996 films
- 1996 direct-to-video films
- 1990s buddy cop films
- American science fiction comedy films
- American buddy cop films
- American children's comedy films
- 1990s science fiction comedy films
- Films about Tyrannosaurus
- Fiction about modern-day dinosaurs
- New Line Cinema direct-to-video films
- Films about friendship
- Puppet films
- Films set in the future
- Films scored by Robert Folk
- 1996 comedy films
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s American films
- American direct-to-video films
- Stinkers Bad Movie Award winning films