The Bids on “Willow”: A Fantasy World?

MGM is showing mucho confidence in its George Lucas-produced, Ron Howard-directed fantasy “Willow”: It rejected initial bids that came in from theater operators and is pressing for a better deal, as in hefty 16-week-minimum playdates and a “substantial guarantee and advance,” according to a copy of its rebid letter to exhibitors obtained by Outtakes.

It’s highly unusual for a studio to ask for a minimum four-month booking, except for anticipated blockbusters--such as sequels to previous megahits. The last 16-week guarantee was for “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” said several exhibitor sources. By comparison, “The Living Daylights” (the last James Bonder) and “Top Gun” both opened with eight-week guaranteed playdates.

David Forbes, MGM-UA distribution president, boasted, “It’s safe to say the terms we’re asking for ‘Willow’ indicate we think we’ve got a smash hit. We think it might be the next ‘Star Wars.’ ”

MGM rebid the film April 4 after exhibitor offers were deemed unacceptable (it’s not uncommon--MGM also rebid “Rocky III” and “A View to a Kill,” according to sources, and got slightly better terms the second time around).

One East Coast film buyer speculated that the proposed rebid--if it isn’t negotiated down--could bring MGM close to $15 million in advances--two weeks before “Willow” opens May 20.

Suggested terms in the MGM rebid letter, confirmed by an MGM exec: “floors” of 70/30 for the first four weeks (meaning MGM gets 70% of the box-office gross, the theater keeps 30%), then four weeks at 60/40, four weeks at 50/50, four weeks at 40/60 and any and all additional weeks at 35/65.

Said a West Coast buyer, who didn’t want to be identified for fear of reprisals: “With all the merchandising deals already set on ‘Willow,’ the movie better be a blockbuster. You don’t see any kids walking around with ‘Howard the Duck’ calendars, do you?”

MGM started exhibitor screenings last weekend. (There were no unauthorized guests at the Mann’s Village showing--with security guards keeping out any lurking media.) But we polled about 30 exhibitors: Response ranged from “no comments,” to raves, especially for the special effects, to puzzlement over who the target audience will be. Some said it seemed “too scary for little kids” and “not hip enough for teens.” Most exhibitors seemed to agree that certain “Willow” characters seemed derivative of “Star Wars” characters.