Things are not going well between Legendary and Universal Pictures these days. Earlier this month, Universal Pictures took "King Kong" prequel, "Kong: Skull Island" from Legendary Pictures to their former studio partners, Warner Bros.The Hollywood Reporter reported that the move from Universal is presaged because of some underlying tension going on between the two studios these days.
According to THR, Warner Bros and Universal Pictures are looking forward for a King Kong/Godzilla trilogy. Whereas, Legendary Studios is working on another mega film, "Pacific Rim."
In the recent time, three of the Legendary projects where funded by Universal Pictures - Krampus," a holiday horror by Michael Dougherty, "The Great Wall," starring Matt Damon, and "Warcraft," Duncan Jones' ambitious video game adaptation. According to Universal Studios' chief, Donna Langley, "The Great Wall" and "Warcraft" are 'problem movies' even if they have huge creative promises with the given talent involved.
Some of the footage from upcoming "Warcraft" were shown this summer at Comic-Con but the footage received mixed responses from game lovers, but at Adam's panel the footage was praised because the use of exceptional CGI effects. However, the footage made a lot to believe that with the given storyline, the tone of the footage would be a challenge for a broad audience.
It won't be the first time when Universal Pictures has declined to fund a Legendary film. It was also stated in the past that Legendary was in full agreement with Universal Pictures to fund Guillermo del Toro's "Crimson Peak" but the studio considered the investment too risky because of R-rated horror story. The studio wanted to drop the ratings to PG-13.
According to THR, Legendary funded 100% in del Toro's "Crimson Peak" by themselves, and is going to release next month with a R-rated version. Judging by Universal's response over films like "Warcraft" and "Crimson Peak," it looks like the studio is concerned with the profit/loss ratio with Legendary.
"Warcraft" still has a prime summer release date set for June 10, 2016 and "Crimson Peak" is gearing up to hit the theatres next month.
