Gael Garcia Bernal and Kate Hudson shoot a scene in New Orleans
Kate Hudson's New Orleans-shot romantic drama "Earthbound" might have changed its title to "A Little Bit of Heaven" -- but now it appears to be caught in limbo.
The so-called "cancer comedy," which shot in town in early 2009 -- and which co-stars Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Lucy Punch, Treat Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal -- is one of two films caught up in recent financial turmoil that has brought down The Film Department.
Earlier today (May 5), it was announced that the fledgling production shingle, whose steep profits on the Jamie Foxx thriller "Law Abiding Citizen" weren't enough to keep creditors at bay, would be closing up shop by the end of the month. The company had hoped to evolve into a production and distribution outfit, but in a report posted on The Hollywood Reporter's website, "the company said it was a victim of the aftermath of the credit crisis and was unable to raise additional equity and debt needed to move forward and expand into U.S. distribution."
That leaves "A Little Bit of Heaven" -- which shot under the working title "Earthbound" -- and the Catherine Zeta Jones rom-com "Rebound" with uncertain futures.
According to the Reporter, Film Department honchos are in talks to find third-party U.S. distributors for the films, but no deals are in place.
Producers had hoped to see "A Little Bit of Heaven" land in theaters by late this year, but now it's unclear if that will happen -- particularly after its European release generated less-than-enthusiastic reviews.
In the film, Hudson stars as a woman who falls in love with her doctor (Bernal) after being diagnosed with cancer. It was originally set in Los Angeles, but the filmmakers reset it in New Orleans after the production was moved here to take advantage of the state's tax incentives for filmmakers. That saw it evolve into what producers called "a love letter to New Orleans," featuring a wealth of local scenery as well as original music by Ivan Neville.
The so-called "cancer comedy," which shot in town in early 2009 -- and which co-stars Whoopi Goldberg, Kathy Bates, Lucy Punch, Treat Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal -- is one of two films caught up in recent financial turmoil that has brought down The Film Department.
Earlier today (May 5), it was announced that the fledgling production shingle, whose steep profits on the Jamie Foxx thriller "Law Abiding Citizen" weren't enough to keep creditors at bay, would be closing up shop by the end of the month. The company had hoped to evolve into a production and distribution outfit, but in a report posted on The Hollywood Reporter's website, "the company said it was a victim of the aftermath of the credit crisis and was unable to raise additional equity and debt needed to move forward and expand into U.S. distribution."
That leaves "A Little Bit of Heaven" -- which shot under the working title "Earthbound" -- and the Catherine Zeta Jones rom-com "Rebound" with uncertain futures.
According to the Reporter, Film Department honchos are in talks to find third-party U.S. distributors for the films, but no deals are in place.
Producers had hoped to see "A Little Bit of Heaven" land in theaters by late this year, but now it's unclear if that will happen -- particularly after its European release generated less-than-enthusiastic reviews.
In the film, Hudson stars as a woman who falls in love with her doctor (Bernal) after being diagnosed with cancer. It was originally set in Los Angeles, but the filmmakers reset it in New Orleans after the production was moved here to take advantage of the state's tax incentives for filmmakers. That saw it evolve into what producers called "a love letter to New Orleans," featuring a wealth of local scenery as well as original music by Ivan Neville.
