Well, I reported earlier in the week that last-minute there was a lot of excitement over the announcement that "DOUBT" - adapted for the screen from the award-winning play by John Patrick Shanley - would kick-off the AFI Fest's gala opening night.
Festival-goers were thrilled at the prospect of mixing and mingling on the red carpet with two of the celebrated stars - Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman - who grace the screen in "DOUBT".
But, looks like the premiere has lost its luster and is fizzlin' out.
At press time, it was confirmed that Streep and Hoffman would be no-shows at the premiere. According to PR Director John Wildman.
Who wants to kibitz with a bunch of suits from the studio - or the stuff-shirts from AFI - on what was supposed to be a glittering star-studded gala event?
Without any tinsel on hand, what's the point?
Notwithstanding, DOUBT will be screened as an uncut unpolished version that isn't ready for public consumption, yet.
Were the AFI Fest organizers stuck, in a bind, or what?
I guess when "The Soloist" bowed out this past week, AFI was left holding an empty bag and the big-wigs had to scramble for a replacement.
DOUBT looked like a good prospect for the gala initially, but at this late juncture,it appears to be a losing choice for the Fest Event.
Maybe DEFIANCE will have a little more pizazz on Friday Night.
Or, at least a bit of titillating red carpet fodder to write about.
I'll keep you posted on the curious goings-on at the AFI FEST events which are slated to start-up at the end of this week and run for eleven days at a handful of venues around Tinsel Town.
At the moment, AFI is off to a shaky start, though.
AFI Publicity Director John Wildman screwed up.
Streep did walk the red carpet last night.
Talk about egg on the face!
(Edit 10.31.08)
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