'Evan Almighty': The Most Expensive Comedy Story Ever Told?
Today's LAT details the budgetary problems affecting Bruce Almighty sequel Evan Almighty, which threaten to saddle the movie with the unwanted distinction of becoming the most expensive comedy in history. According to the Times, even without Bruce star Jim Carrey and his massive salary, the Evan production could reach a $175 million budget, as uncooperative weather during shooting, the logistics involved in scheduling predatory animal actors so that they don't accidentally devour their tasty, lower-billed co-stars during their downtime, and the expense of convincingly staging Biblical disasters have all driven costs heavenward. Still, Universal executives Marc Shmuger and David Linde think they've got everything under control:
Studio executives acknowledged that they underestimated the cost of "Evan," a sequel to the 2003 hit "Bruce Almighty." But they are confident it will be profitable.
"This movie is a great bet," said Universal Chairman Marc Shmuger. "It's a spectacle fantasy and also a comedy. And a sequel to one of the most successful hits in the studio's history." [...]
"It's based on two story sources: 'Bruce Almighty' and the Bible, both of which were incredibly successful," Linde said.
The seemingly prideful Linde should probably be careful about comparing Bruce to the Greatest Story Ever Told, even in jest, lest an angry, offended Creator visit a new, infinitely more expensive plague upon his production: imbuing Carrey with the godlike power of unlimited takes and sending him back for some cameo reshoots, during which he would repeatedly remind everyone that God Himself told him to take as much time as he needs to get his scene exactly right.
