After seven years in domestic purgatory, Jonathan Levine‘s debut film ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE is finally getting released in the US. Back in 2006, the horror movie was the biggest buzz coming out of the film festival circuit with The Weinstein Company purchasing it for $3.5 million. For some strange reason, we have not seen it since, either on DVD or theatrically. What happened? According to Deadline, the movie hit issues with test screenings that eventually locked it up indefinitely as well as the underperformance of GRINDHOUSE, which worried the studio. Fans abroad have seen the movie and it has already been released to home video, but we are still waiting here in America.
The movie stars Anson Mount (HELL ON WHEELS) and Amber Heard as the titular Mandy Lane. The story follows a group of high-schoolers who invite Mandy Lane, “a good girl” who becomes the object of everyone’s affection after returning from summer break, to a weekend party on a secluded ranch. While the festivities rage on, the number of revelers begins to mysteriously drop one at a time.
Director Levine has gone on to make 50/50 with Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as well as the recent hit WARM BODIES starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE would have likely been a modest success upon it’s release but will now likely linger in a limited release before recouping some money on Blu-ray and DVD. Levine issued this statement about the movie finally getting released.
“I am thrilled that Mandy Lane has been rescued and is back where it belongs with Harvey and Bob. Hard to believe it’s been seven years, but then again I’ve always perceived myself as a misunderstood artist who was light years ahead of his time, so I am thrilled the world has finally caught up. Seriously, I am incredibly proud of the film and of the hard work that my cast and collaborators put into it, and I am so happy the world will finally get a chance to see it.”
There is no date for the upcoming release of ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE, but it will hit limited theaters and VOD this summer.