In a nearly unprecedented move, Miramax Films will bow its Martin Scorsese period drama Gangs of New York in Japan on Dec. 21, four days before its release in the U.S.
The move comes amid growing industry buzz that Miramax may need to reconsider its domestic approach to the movie. Gangs star Leonardo DiCaprio has another film coming out Christmas Day–DreamWorks’ Catch Me If You Can. That film is based on the true story of notorious con artist Frank Abagnale (DiCaprio) who became the first teenager ever to make the FBI’s most wanted list.
Furthermore, Gangs could stand to profit from a strong opening in Japan. Good word of mouth could dispel negative buzz about the film’s production, including rumors of tension on the set, concerns over budget and running time, the drawn-out editing process and the many postponed release dates.
Gangs, which centers on Irish-American immigrants living in 1860s New York City, was originally slated for release last December but Miramax pushed the film’s release date to July 2002 citing the Sept. 11 attacks. It then rescheduled the film again for Christmas 2002.
There is also the international factor. According to Variety, DiCaprio films that haven’t done well in the U.S. have fared better abroad. The Beach, for example, only grossed $39.8 million domestically, but took in more than $100 million overseas.
Miramax offered no explanation for the move but said that the plan was subject to change, Variety reports.
