"Yuma" Remake Gets Russell Crowe, But Loses Sony

by | June 26, 2006 | Comments

Despite having a big star like Russell Crowe attached to his western remake, filmmaker James Mangold will have to find a new studio with which to make "3:10 to Yuma." Put off by the actor’s back-end deal, Sony has dropped the project, which means Mr. Mangold has to find a new buyer.

From Variety: ""This is deja vu all over again," Mangold told Daily Variety, referring to the fact that his last film, "Walk the Line," was also set up at Sony and ready to start shooting when the studio pulled out. Mangold shopped that film all over town and was turned down by every studio but Fox, where the pic went on to be a critical and commercial hit.

Because Sony owns the rights to the original 1957 Glenn Ford Western, it will still be a profit participant in the pic. Sources said part of Sony’s concern was the back-end gross of Crowe, a $20 million star. Another concern was that Westerns don’t typically travel abroad."

Expect some more news once a new studio signs on for the project.