The Toxic Avenger starring Peter Dinklage has been deemed 'unreleasable' by its producers. Photo: Legendary Pictures
The Toxic Avenger starring Peter Dinklage has been deemed 'unreleasable' by its producers. Photo: Legendary Pictures
The Toxic Avenger starring Peter Dinklage has been deemed 'unreleasable' by its producers. Photo: Legendary Pictures
The Toxic Avenger starring Peter Dinklage has been deemed 'unreleasable' by its producers. Photo: Legendary Pictures

Fantastic Four to The Toxic Avenger, the big films abandoned by Hollywood over the years


Faisal Salah
  • English
  • Arabic

In Hollywood, many films never make it to the big screen. Whether due to creative conflicts, financial issues or changing trends, countless projects are abandoned before release. The latest film reported to potentially suffer this fate is The Toxic Avenger, a remake of the cult favourite film from 1984.

The remake stars Peter Dinklage, known most famously from his role on Game of Thrones as Tyrion Lannister, and directed by Macon Blair, who previously directed I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore.

As reported on the entertainment site World of Reel, producers have called it “unreleasable”, making its prospects of a theatrical release slim. It will probably find its way to a streaming platform due to there being enough demand from fans of the original, but if so it will be one of the lucky projects.

Here is a list of films that were never released to the public.

The Deep

The unfinished film directed by Orson Welles is based on Charles Williams' novel Dead Calm. Welles, who wrote, produced, and starred in the film alongside Jeanne Moreau and Laurence Harvey, worked on it from 1966 to 1969. The original negative is lost, leaving two existing work prints, one in black and white and another in colour.

Filmed off the coast of the then-Yugoslavia, the project faced significant financial and technical issues, leading Welles to withdraw from it. Although production halted in 1969 and was effectively ended by Harvey's death in 1973, those involved, including Moreau, remembered the experience fondly.

With no completed version, the surviving prints lack music and feature rough audio, which Welles planned to refine. Footage from The Deep featured in the documentary Orson Welles: One-Man Band.

The Day the Clown Cried

Jerry Lewis, right, with Pierre Etaix on the set of The Day the Clown Cried in Paris. AFP
Jerry Lewis, right, with Pierre Etaix on the set of The Day the Clown Cried in Paris. AFP

The unfinished 1972 drama directed by and starring Jerry Lewis follows a clown imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp, exploring dark themes that sparked significant controversy.

Production faced numerous challenges, including financial issues, leading Lewis to invest $2 million of his own money to complete filming. However, unresolved copyright disputes and the producer's failure to fulfil contractual obligations prevented a release. Lewis ultimately deemed the project a failure, expressing embarrassment over its quality.

In 2015, Lewis donated an incomplete copy to the Library of Congress, which has said it will make the copy available to scholars. The film has gained legendary status over the years, with commentators noting its audacity in tackling such a sensitive subject.

The Fantastic Four

The unreleased superhero film dates back to 1994. It depicts the team's origin story and their initial confrontation with villain Doctor Doom. Produced by Roger Corman and Bernd Eichinger, it was made to help Eichinger retain the film rights. Although it was never officially released, pirated versions have been circulating since May 31, 1994, along with various clips available online.

Eichinger secured the rights in 1986 and, under pressure to produce before the option expired, teamed up with Corman to create a low-budget version for $1 million. Although trailers were shown in theatres and a premiere was scheduled, the project was abruptly halted, leading to a cease-and-desist order that confiscated the negatives.

Stan Lee later revealed that the film was never intended for release, a claim Eichinger disputed. In 1993, Marvel executive Avi Arad purchased the film and ordered its destruction to protect the franchise. Despite its poor reception, the film gained a cult following, and calls for its release continue, especially with Marvel planning a new film in the franchise set for 2025.

Hippie Hippie Shake

The unreleased British drama is based on Richard Neville's memoir about his life as the editor of Oz magazine. It stars Cillian Murphy as Neville and Sienna Miller as his girlfriend Louise Ferrier. The film explores the launch of the London edition of Oz amid the 1960s counterculture and the subsequent obscenity trial, which eventually led to its demise.

Development began in 1998 but faced numerous delays, with changes in directors and screenwriters. Principal photography began in September 2007, but by 2011 Working Title announced that the film would not be released in cinemas.

There were significant issues, particularly when director Beeban Kidron departed during post-production due to creative differences. While some figures involved, like Louise Ferrier, were supportive, others criticised the film's portrayal of them. Advance reviews noted mixed reactions, with some praising the performances and authenticity, while others condemned it as a poor-quality production.

Batgirl - 2022

Directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi on the set of Batgirl in Glasgow in 2022. Photo: Warner Brothers
Directors Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi on the set of Batgirl in Glasgow in 2022. Photo: Warner Brothers

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the superhero film stars Leslie Grace as Batgirl and also includes J K Simmons, Brendan Fraser and Michael Keaton. It was intended for HBO Max as part of the DC Extended Universe.

Despite entering post-production, Warner Bros Discovery announced in August 2022 that it would not be released due to cost-cutting measures and a strategy shift towards theatrical releases.

The decision to cancel was influenced by negative test screening feedback and concerns over production quality. With more than $90 million spent, Batgirl became one of the most expensive cancelled projects in Hollywood history. The cast and crew were informed of the cancellation after reports surfaced in the media. Following the news, El Arbi and Fallah expressed their disappointment.

“We are saddened and shocked by the news. We still can't believe it,” they wrote on Instagram.

Coyote vs. Acme - 2023

The unreleased animation/live-action comedy film directed by Dave Green stars John Cena, Will Forte, and Lana Condor. Inspired by a 1990 New Yorker article, it imagines a scenario in which the Looney Tunes character Wile E Coyote would sue Acme Corporation, the fictional company that features prominently in the cartoon series.

Despite being completed, Warner Bros Discovery shelved the film in November 2023 for a $30 million tax write-down, marking it as the third cancelled project after Batgirl and Scoob! Holiday Haunt. This decision led to significant backlash, prompting Warner Bros to allow the filmmakers to seek other distribution options. In early 2024, various studios expressed interest, but negotiations stalled over financial disagreements.

Director Green and the cast voiced their disappointment, emphasising the positive reception during test screenings. As of March 2024, discussions continued within Warner Bros about the film's future, with fans actively campaigning for its release. Despite multiple bids from potential distributors, the film's fate remains uncertain, sparking public interest and trending hashtags advocating for its release.

23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees

Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.

Profile of MoneyFellows

Founder: Ahmed Wadi

Launched: 2016

Employees: 76

Financing stage: Series A ($4 million)

Investors: Partech, Sawari Ventures, 500 Startups, Dubai Angel Investors, Phoenician Fund

WHAT IS GRAPHENE?

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. 

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Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

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The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude 

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Visa changes give families fresh hope

Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income

Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.

Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.

To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation

 

 

 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

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Teachers' pay - what you need to know

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

RESULTS

Argentina 4 Haiti 0

Peru 2 Scotland 0

Panama 0 Northern Ireland 0

Sun jukebox

Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)

This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.

Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)

The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.

Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)

Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.

Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)

Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.

Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)

An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.

Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

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The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

Match info

Huddersfield Town 0

Chelsea 3
Kante (34'), Jorginho (45' pen), Pedro (80')

Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

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Updated: August 05, 2024, 6:40 AM`