Comments on: David Fincher Closer To Logging On ‘The Social Network? Director Cuts Fee To Get Project Connected

By: kevinjagernauth

kevinjagernauth — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:41:42 +0000

The other interesting part of this film coming together is that there are no details on potential leads yet. Given that it appear its Fincher's salary that is the sticking point, I'm guessing they are not looking at expensive names for this one.

So, a film about Facebook with B-list stars? Sounds like a box office hit!

By: Trippman

Trippman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:31:22 +0000

I have a feeling Fincher is afraid of not being in control. Although Zodiac is his greatest, I find Se7en is the one that challenged him the most, to the point where he couldn't provide a worthy ending

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:30:10 +0000

#@BNJ Not sure which Fincher fanatic it was, but he was pretty funny.

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:23:45 +0000

#@BNJ

"Maybe Fincher sees this as an easy film to do. Not as painstaking as Button or some of the others."

Agreed. Smaller budget, smaller scale, this is what you need to do right now if you want to actually work.

But the more ambitious/passion projects on the shelf for now or you're just headed for major head and heartache.

By: A Baby Named Jesus

A Baby Named Jesus — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:20:28 +0000

You guys are too rough on Fincher. LOL.

Rod, was that fincher fan from when Button came out the actual "Fincher Fanatic," as in the guy who runs that web site?

Anyway, it seems to me that the issue holding up greenlighting this project is Fincher's fee, whatever that might be. They were clearly in deep negotiations with him when Kevin Spacey (and don't forget Spacey's connections with Fincher) was all giddy about the impending announcement. Also, I think it's clear that SONY really wants this too. Amy Pascal DOES NOT want to fuck up another A-List movie deal at the finish line again.

So it has to be the fee and I'm guessing they'll settle it closer to Fincher's negotiating point than Sony's.

Anonymous10:31,

I definitely prefered Torso as well, but that film didn't even have a studio much less a greenlight.

Maybe Fincher sees this as an easy film to do. Not as painstaking as Button or some of the others.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:18:59 +0000

Fincher has a "first dollar gross paymen arrangement"? I thought only the top Box Office directing kings like Michael Bay and Spielberg get that kind of arrangment.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:01:13 +0000

Typical Goldstein to put out his theory but not really explain that Fincher makes that money on films that are budgeted appropriately. If Benjamin Button cost 130 million..then yes, he's going to make 6 or 8.
Social Network is budgeted under 40 million. So it's not surprising his fee would be lower.

Also remember...he's worth whatever he wants...he's one of the best directors in town. It's not like he's a DJ Caruso or Pete Berg doing this movie. He'll also be able to attract any talent he wants to the film and a reduced rate..because people are dying to work with him..that alone saves the studio millions.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:53:02 +0000

another interesting fact about all this is that Fincher and Soderbergh are best friends. It was Fincher who talked Soderbergh into taking the job to help Brad.

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:33:55 +0000

i do admit one day I will give Zodiac another shot, but i saw it in theaters and while it began ok, it overstayed its welcome and became a chore. Though Sufjan Steven was as the screening I was at and surprisingly enough, he was there with girls.

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:32:06 +0000

man, i thought Zodiac was a tedious snore. And RDJ really just played RDJ, i found it annoying.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:25:05 +0000

i am quite a fan of david fincher. i think zodiac will go down in the history books as one of the greats and will become more revered with age. i cant think of a better one two punch from the 90's than seven and fight club. i also liked ben button alot more than you guys. that being said. this facebook project has really confused me. i mean, its out of character and seems like something jason reitman would direct. im pissed too. heres hoping he bails.

By: rodrigoperez

rodrigoperez — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:43:20 +0000

I wonder what Fincher Fanatic thinks? That guy would seemingly endorse a fincher project even if it was a four hour opus about paint drying.

My favorite was when he said it would sweep the oscars and then when it won only 3 tech awards, he was nowhere to be seen despite hounding the site on a daily basis if anything we wrote wasn't remotely rah rah Fincher jingoism.

This may make me like this project. ;)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:31:10 +0000

this is a nightmare. honestly. he goes from NESS/Torso to this? i am honestly confused and disappointed.