Focus Features is taking over domestic distribution of Working Title’s The Boat That Rocked from parent studio Universal Pictures and is working with filmmaker Richard Curtis to create a leaner version for American audiences after the film’s mixed run overseas.
Universal was set to release the ensemble comedy in the U.S. on Aug. 28, but Variety says that Focus has pushed back the release to some time in November.
The film’s so-so performance at the international box office this spring marked a rare disappointment for Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner’s Working Title. The film, which cost upward of $50 million to produce, was expected to play like a broad comedy. International gross to date is $25.1 million.
The trade says that Focus president James Schamus said his team is working with Curtis to trim about 20 minutes from the film, which originally ran 129 minutes. A chief complaint from critics was the film’s length.
