UK cinemas plan 'Alice' boycott
Friday, February 12 2010, 14:23 GMT
By Simon Reynolds, Movies Editor

UK cinema chains Odeon, Vue and Cineworld are planning to boycott Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland due to its truncated theatrical run.

The March 5 UK release of the 3D film is in jeopardy because the leading exhibitors require a guaranteed four-month theatrical run to book a film. Disney announced earlier this week that the gap between the cinema and home release will be cut from the standard 17 weeks to 12.

Disney US distribution chiefs Bob Chapek and Chuck Viane are flying into the UK to discuss plans for Alice's release. According to The Guardian, the 12-week deal is said to be a "take it or leave it" offer.

"We feel that it's important for us to maintain a healthy business on the exhibition side and a healthy business on the home video side... We remain committed to theatrical windows, with the need for exceptions to accommodate a shortened time-frame on a case-by-case basis, such as with Disney's Alice in Wonderland," explained Chapek.

Alice In Wonderland, which stars Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter, was filmed predominantly in the UK by Burton.

The royal world premiere will go ahead as planned in London on February 25.