While all of the major U.S. studios, HBO and even three domestic pay-per-view networks have passed on Adrian Lyne's "Lolita," American audiences may yet get a peek at the controversial picture.
Canadian-owned distributor Lions Gate Films, which as early as last summer began making repeated offers to acquire "Lolita," is now awaiting a response from the film's producer, Gallic film giant Pathe.
U.S. indies that made bids for the film adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's celebrated novel include Trimark Pictures and Stratosphere Entertainment, the Carl Icahn-backed specialty distribution
Showtime also recently made a bid for a U.S. cable premiere of the film, according to sources, although execs at the network could not be reached.
All of the theatrical offers are reportedly in the low seven figures, including P&A, and, so far, no one has been able to come to terms with Pathe for rights to the $50 million-plus film.
Most distributors believe the pic's subject-- a middle-aged man's erotic obsession with a 12-year-old girl -- limits its commercial potential.
That's at least part of the reason why the major studios opted not to acquire the film when they saw it a year ago. "Lolita" had another potential distribution door closed on it last month when DirecTV broke off negotiations to acquire the pic. Cable pay-per-view outlets Request TV and Viewer's Choice also passed on the movie, citing its controversial content.
But Lions Gate Films president Jeff Sackman said he isn't worried in the least about the potential controversy and believes the pickup would be a good investment for the company.
"We're willing to handle the film," said Sackman. "People should be able to decide on their own about it. The media makes it into much more than it really is. It's just a movie."
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