First Bennifer, Now This: Affleck's U.K. Directorial Debut Delayed

Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan in Gone Baby Gone courtesy Miramax Films According to the Hollywood Reporter, Disney has yanked Ben Affleck's directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, from the London Film Festival, where it was to have had its U.K. premiere, because its plot too closely mirrors the unfolding real-life mystery surrounding Madeleine McCann, a youngster who went missing in May in Portugal. Although Mr. Jennifer Garner's flick takes place in Boston, not Portugal, and is based on a novel by Dennis Lehane (of Mystic River), the Mouse still maintains that it has postponed the movie's debut for "the right reasons." Meaning, so far as I can tell, stupidity. Gone Baby Gone will get an American release Oct. 19. Provided nobody goes missing in Sweden. Leave a Comment
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Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich Sep 14, 2007 9:39 AM Report Abuse

There are missing children happening every day. If they start banning every movie that may have some element of real life in them, well, we won't have any movies to watch. Poor Ben, what a tough break. Speaking of Ben, has anyone else noticed that since the day he left Jennifer Lopez, he has not smiled in one single picture. You see him with his new baby girl and his wife Jennifer Garner, and he looks like a man of desperation. Maybe he made the wrong choice back then.

Posted by pattijen2222

Sep 14, 2007 12:54 PM

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I'm fence-sitting on this one. If it wasn't the London Film Festival, I'd agree this was overreacting. But, this is the family's home country, which isn't very big. It might seem like a slap in the face.
Posted by Katcon Sep 14, 2007 1:21 PM Report Abuse

I've seen many pictures of Ben smiling since he's been with Jennifer Garner. If he's a man of desperation now it's only because he wasn't use to the paparazzi before J-Lo. That kind of attention and hurt to his career takes time to get over. I can't say I blame him.
Posted by Mannie_Annie Sep 14, 2007 2:32 PM Report Abuse

Come on Ben, I assume you wrote this.(TV Guide Ben K. I mean). Disney is just trying to be sensitive on the issue. I remember when a certain senators daughter was brutally murdered and the network television here in the US didn't air a planned movie too close to the event. Maybe media should focus on people instead of the all mighty dollar once in a while.
Posted by CinderAngelkc Sep 14, 2007 5:42 PM Report Abuse

You probably aren't aware in the US, but the disappearance of this little girl has been THE biggest news story here for several months. Totally the right decision to postpone the release IMO.
Posted by Cate Sep 14, 2007 7:34 PM Report Abuse

Considering there has been a huge backlash against the Mccanns and their media machine (and the fact that they refuse to cooperate with police to "clear their names") unless there is something in this film thats "too close to home" for the Mccanns, I cant see why anyone except their very expensive PR team would object to the film being aired in the UK. I guess its not just the British media who are intent on shielding the British public from the possible truths in this case.

Posted by childrenofsteel

Oct 10, 2007 9:46 AM

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