The devastatingly gorgeous Milla Jovovich is angry, and when Milla is pissed off, people notice. The actress and star of the new Three Musketeers 3D movie unleashed some frustration upon Summit Entertainment for what she perceived to be a lackluster marketing campaign for her new movie. Regardless of whether or not Milla is correct in her assumptions, the film has debuted at the domestic box office with an abysmal estimated $8.8 million weekend (opening in 4th place after Paranormal Activity 3 and holdovers Real Steel and Footloose), which brings its global total to a mere $57.8 million and probably barely puts a dent in its yet-to-be-revealed but certainly huge budget. Of course, these numbers hadn’t been released (or even conceivable) on Friday, but Milla already knew the score, and she took to her Twitter account to unload on Summit:
The always quick-on-the-draw Deadline has already secured a response from Summit:
I asked Summit last night what it thought of Milla’s accusations, and an executive pointed out that the actress had been up in Canada shooting the next Resident Evil installment “and working 15-hour days and probably didn’t see the campaign. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about and we don’t know where she’s coming from.” On the other hand, Jovovich is married to Three Musketeers 3D director Paul W.S. Anderson, so it’s hard to imagine she is completely clueless to how Summit marketed the film. Nevertheless, Summit points to awareness in the 80s as a sure sign that the movie was marketed adequately even if U.S. grosses were terrible. “Wouldn’t you think she would call us first about this? It’s frustrating. it’s not the right way to behave. If she has a problem then come to the studio and talk about it.” Milla was tweeting on her flight to Japan where Three Musketeers 3D is debuting at the Tokyo International Film Festival. I wonder if Summit will cancel her car pickup and strand her at the airport for mouthing off.
[From Deadline]
This is a toughie because I’m generally Team Milla on all things, but she sort of comes off like a brat in these tweets; although I can see from where her frustration stems because she’s not only defending herself but also her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson, who directed Musketeers. It’s also quite easy to jump the gun and assume that Summit has been preoccupied with its promotion of the upcoming Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I movie because talk of Edward and Bella is pretty inescapable at this point. However, I personally witnessed many television commercials as well as tons of internet promotion for Musketeers too. Everyone sort of assumed that this movie would do well, but at the same time, nobody really wanted to see it either. Quite simply, Musketeers looked pretty craptastic and not in a good, popcorn-munching way either. It also seemed like a gigantic waste of talent in regard to Matthew Macfadyen, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger, and Orlando Bloom. This latest incarnation certainly didn’t promise a new approach to the well-treaded story, and releasing a male-geared action adventure flick is seldom a good plan during football season.
Milla was indeed en route to the Tokyo premiere when she unloaded on Summit, but our photo agencies have yet to reveal what she was wearing at the premiere. So these are mostly leftover photos (that we’ve already covered) of the London premiere and (because I couldn’t resist) a couple of photos of her at London Fashion Week and the Cannes AMFAR benefit. And as an afterthought, here’s a few “meh” stills from that Three Musketeers 3D too:
Photos courtesy of WENN
Maybe Hollywood should find some interesting books and history that we haven’t seen 20 times before (like Robin Hood, 3 musketeers, King Arthur etc).
If they put some budget behind it, they’re far likely to be successful.
That’s a big reason why Game of Thrones became huge and Camelot was canceled.
What was left to tell in the story after the kick-arse version with evil Tim Curry and heroic Kiefer Sutherland? It couldn’t GET any better than that version! All for one and one for bloody ALL!!!
I saw some of the promotions for it, and it was not marketed as a family oriented film. I have not gone to see it, but from the promos I am expecting it to be a violent action adventure film, which my son has seen enough of, and probably see more before the end of the year (Marvel hero movies).
If it really is a family film, no blood, more humour than action, no nudity, great fight scenes without body parts flying all over the place, then I may check it out with my son.
I saw this film on Saturday and Milla is correct. Despite it’s flaws, it was ABSOLUTELY good popcorn-munching fun.
(Remember, they are making these now for many viewers who never actually read the book or were alive to see the previous ones in theater.)
AND honestly, its not very different from the new manic, Sherlock Holmes trailer they ran before it.
I think she makes a valid point. I haven’t seen it (yet) but was thinking about taking my kids to see it, because it looks like a fun movie for them – sort of like the POTC-films, but that’s certainly not how it’s been presented. A shame with so many good people in it too.
I like a good old family type movie that every one can enjoy (getting tired of the rated stuff), but I do agree that these movie remakes are killing the industry. They need new ideas not old ones.
I didn’t even know it was out in theaters already and I haven’t seen one trailer anywhere. So maybe she has a point.
I think she’s kind of brilliant. Whether or not she’s correct about Summit’s handling of the film doesn’t really matter, because now her tweeting tantrum has made it’s rounds and gotten more publicity for the film. It’ll be going into it’s second weekend with people more aware about it.
Oh wah. Get over yourself. I love it when celebrities get mad at stuff like this. They whine about what is “in” and how the American public likes low brow movies. We are so uneducated and have poor taste. If only we had an intellectual, such as herself, to tell us what to watch. They are artists and have the best taste in the history of ever. The funny thing is she is complaining about 3 Musketeers, as if it is some profound award worthy movie. It’s another remake.
It’s a family film? Coulda fooled me by the trailers so maybe she has a point. I did wonder if it was ultra stylishly violent like Sherlock Holmes and others, or if it was more POTC style.
I admit I love Ray Stevenson (Pullo from Rome), so I was curious enough to see for him alone haha but now I might have to reconsider and check out the parental rating for this movie, maybe the kiddies will enjoy it.
Summit doesn’t have a good rep as a studio so this is no surprise.
Go Mila!
Maybe it bombed because no-one was asking for yet another Musketeers film and certainly not one this plain awful? It’s currently rated at 27% on Rotten Tomatoes, whilst NONE of Paul W.S. Anderson’s films have ever been positively reviewed.
This is a man, after all, who took one of the most pant-wettingly scary videogame franchises ever and turned it into a bunch of kids’ movies to keep his wife employed, and had a frickin’ PREDATOR make BFFs with a human in AVP!!
I’m on the internet a lot, gossip sites, fb, etc. I didn’t even know this movie was being made, let alone had been released. Not that I’m the norm, but perhaps she has a valid point.
edit: is it a kids movie? my daughter is 10.
What I’ve noticed over the years is that Milla’s occupation is directly proportional to the husband she is with at the time and I doubt it’s purely coincidental that she goes for directors. She’s strategic. I grant her that.
That’s not to say that she isn’t great in all those action films but she isn’t an Oscar contender, and she should be thankful she has work.
Why haven’t the other actors bitched on Twitter?
I’m usually all for Milla but I think she has jumped the gun here. She got paid for her work and that’s all one can do in the end. If she wasn’t married to a film director and bitched like this, she’d be blackballed from then on. It’s not like she has shown that she is versatile. She always plays the same kind of role. The only reason she’ll get work after this global bitching session is because she is married to the director. But after this dismal box office profit, I wonder if he’ll have other projects lined up. A director is only as good as their box office takings.
But yeah, way to go Milla. Your husband isn’t that powerful for you to bitch.
I’m with you Bedhead… I saw plenty of commercials and web ads for the movie.
While I really like most of the actors in the film, and love period pieces – there was something about this movie that just didn’t compel me to see it opening weekend. Seems like many other people felt the same. Meh.
that first dress is amazing
she’s gorgeous. we actually went to see this and it was so bad we asked for our money back and left.
I’ve seen plenty of “spots” for this, including on a rental of “Source Code” that I watched a month ago, and it looks like a mish-mash of awfulness. And in 3D, no less? No thanks.
Summit knew they had a stinker on their hands well before this weekend (through looking at dailies from the shoot and having private screenings), and decided not to sink any more millions in it, abandoning the slim chance of a marginal profit, and probably hoping to at least break even in DVD sales. This is not unusual movie studio practice at all, no matter how “unfair” it may seem.
She looks like a drag queen with all that eye make-up and she has a serious case of bitch-face. She doesn’t do it for me.
I agree it didn’t come across as a family film in the trailers….and I saw a whole lot of them because of Facebook.
Anyway…I’m with Mila…Summit didn’t do a good enough job promoting this at all.
ok, she wanted to defend her hubby’s film. I don’t see anything wrong with the act, you’re right she could have worded it more tactfully. Other than that… I love what she’s wearing in the film, beautiful colours. I’ll watch this movie a good period film with good costumes is always worth my time. also, in the last picture i like the necklace she wore and the nail polish. she looks much better without all that forehead botox and with her hair covering it a little.
Poor Milla, it’s good she defends her film so fierce probably partly because of her husband’s involvement but honestly? That film looks boring. I’ve seen the ads and the trailers and it doesn’t do anything for me. I chuckle with a particular line but that’s it. I guess I’ve heard/seen that story too many times before to get me hard for it. Bloom keeps making bad career choices, he can’t draw people to the cinema even if he would be naked while performing a cartwheel. If anything I would go and see it for Milla because she kicks ass!
My husband really wanted to see it so we went on Saturday. I was expected to hate it and frankly, it was a fun movie and definitely family friendly (more so than a lot of movies that promote themselves for kids but sneak in many things I think are not appropriate for kids). This was just a good adventure movie, humourous, didn’t take itself too seriously and was absolutely gorgeous to look at. I even had to tell my husband that I was glad he dragged me to it because I would never have gone to see it if he hadn’t pushed for it, but coming out of the theatre I was in a great mood and happy that we went. If you have kids, take them. You all will enjoy it!
She looks amazing but I won’t see this movie in theaters because it doesn’t look even mildly entertaining and reviews are not encouraging.
Maybe Summit decided to cut their losses after reading reviews and advance screenings and didn’t promote it as agressively as they would have if the initial response was more favorable but I can’t blame them. It’s their money and it’s up to them how to spend it. This one is no masterpiece in any sense.
Still Mila’s frustration is understandable too. Blame game is unnecessary though.
ETA: I see lots of people actually did enjoy it even inspite themselves in some cases. Maybe I’ll reconsider then and support Mila 🙂
I saw the preview for this back in June and as soon as i saw ”in real 3D” i thought..NO THANK YOU!!
Plus like someone else pointed out the 90’s Disney version with Tim Curry,Kieffer Sutherland,Oliver Plat (and the other names escapes me right now)was a really good version. 🙂
When her character does the 360 ‘Matrix’ twirl off the building,I was like …hmmmm.If they left that out of the trailer,it might a been watchable for me.I don’t think Ill be out in theaters until ‘Puss n Boots’.But,WOWZA!!She is one beautiful woman.
I get Mila’s frustration. But even a quick overview of the past few years would’ve let all involved know this was likely going to happen. The Hurtlocker only got attention from Summit after it started getting awards-buzz.
Summit has a history of doing this to almost all of their films outside of the Twilight franchise and outside the Twilight cast. They really don’t seem to give any adequate thought or attention to their other films. They almost seem to operate on the idea that if they get lucky and a film does well, good, if not, well, no loss, they’ve always got another Twilight film that’ll be released at some point in the year to make up for everything else that bombs.
I agree w/blogger #21 (can’t read your name). I haven’t seen any advertising, but that’s not saying much, but apparently other bloggers are mentioning the same.
You know, maybe she did speak to some of the “suits” @ Summit, & pointed out the “family aspect” of the film & she got ignored, & she’s wording her frustration…I dunno.
Yeah, she could’ve toned down the words but..she’s passionate. I really like her. Not only does she have beauty, but she’s got chutzpah, & lets it be known. Good for her! Go Milla go!
Also, it’s SO REFRESHING to see a beautiful actress doing a red carpet, dressed to the nines, & you don’t see any cheap-ass tatoos on her…speaks volumes of her sensibility. I think she’s just great!
I tend to assume Milla as a lead = second rate. Add to that “when was the last time Orlando Bloom had a hit” and it dropped it down another notch on my not to see list. I haven’t paid any attention to the ads to be honest but I have come across them. I thought it has a prettier male cast that the 80s version. The Brat Pack was never my scene but I can’t get past the Milla/Orlando thing and the one review I saw said there was too much time spent on the Milla character. It’s called the 3 MUSKETEERS not the former model who does B movies. I had no clue Christoph Waltz was in it. Now he’s talented.
“Everyone sort of assumed that this movie would do well, but at the same time, nobody really wanted to see it either” This. Absolutely true.
I live in Paris, and last week the ads for three musketeers were everywhere, in the metro, in the free newspapers they give out in the metro…
It’s the film’s first week in france and it’s started off in 5th place (behind Drive and 3 french films)
Bitch please. I love you Milla, but deal with the fact that Brizzle Dizzle is all that matters to Summit until next year. Let it go. Be happy because the money they make off of that franchise alone is what got you a job, which I’m sure you don’t need. You aren’t smart if you didn’t know how that was gonna go down from the get go.
I went to see it as there was nothing else on, and it wasn’t too bad.
Wasn’t great, but passed the time while my car got it’s service and MOT. Spectacular sets and costumes but *dont* see it in 3D, there is too much to look at and it gave me a massive headache!!
She makes a good point, based on the commercials it didn’t look like a family film.
She’s so beautiful, but I do find it telling that she only dates/gets married to directors. And every director she’s with puts her in their films as the lead.
That being said, I enjoyed the first two Resident Evil movies, and I LOVE The Fifth Element. And she is a decent actress. Nothing oscar worthy, but she can play a character convincingly.
Not to mention she’s beautiful. But, this movie looks like a snooze fest. Beautiful imagery, but nothing to write home about.
she’s trying to be an Angelina Jolie action character and she cant act; it’s just painful to watch! And Muskateers w/her in it reminded me of Resident Evil for sure
I worked with a company that showed movie trailers to test audiences over the summer and I have to say I agree with her that Summit dropped the ball. We didn’t get the trailer until mid-August (most of the films we received had a 6 mo to a year away release date) and the trailers on tv are the same ones we tested–meaning they didn’t at all consider the negative feedback (and there was a LOT) about how action focused it was, to the point where there was no clear story. They wanted to sell it that way.
I also don’t remember seeing a lot of promotion for it. A few commercials here and there, but I’ve seen more advertisements for Real Steel and Footloose than 3M. However, my internet has been dead, so it could be that too.
I love anything period, and I’m probably going to take my mom to see this.
Also I had a thought– its too bad that theaters don’t discount tickets to low-grossing films. Supply/demand…?? anyone?
SHAME ON YOU “SUMMIT” she tweets on her iphone as she hops on a private jet flying towards an all expense payed stay halfway around the world.
another 3 musketeers movie? don’t blame summit- blame complete lack of originality.
yeah i agree acting wise she is as untalented as they get. her legs have been looking terrible lately, too big for the rest of her, and the knees are too sinewy and stuff. and those dresses do nothing for her figure. did she have only one child?
I didn’t go see this because it looks like an overdone POS and I LOVE the original with Oliver Reed and Raquel Welch. Suck it, Mila.
@tapioca All of the other stuff aside, yeah, because in the AVP universe the predator is SUPPOSED to become BFFs with a human.
The original books aren’t that bad.
I actually agree with Milla on their behavior. Twilight fans ALREADY KNOW their ridiculous movie is coming out. Yet, I’ve seen a stupid amount of ads for it and only one for 3 Musketeers.
Twilight can’t be over soon enough. Maybe then it’ll stop polluting everything all over tv, internet, and print.