Raunchy Red-Band Trailers Coming Soon to Theaters Near You

After years of studios and exhibitors fighting like cats and dogs about everything from release windows to the ideal temperature for popcorn butter, there's a certain Zen calm in the détente symbolized by Regal Cinemas' announcement that it would begin running red-band trailers on its more than 6,000 screens nationwide. The restricted previews, featuring racier language and sexual content than their G-rated greenband counterparts, have historically been banished to the Web since 2000, when the FCC cracked down on studios it accused of marketing sex and violence to kids. Digital technology makes pre-programming easier these days, however, thus better targeting new releases and diminishing the likelihood of such hilarious trailer mishaps like those downplayed by Universal marketing boss Adam Fogelson:
"It would not be appropriate for a red band trailer for a movie like American Pie to run in front of Schindler's List. We all want to be smart and careful about the use of red band trailers, working closely with our partners in exhibition. We don't want moviegoers seeing material that is inconsistent with the movies they are going to see."
But those gambles are half the fun, aren't they? In any case, if they won't at least offer up a sacrificial, scandal-smeared studio exec being hauled out of Vegas in handcuffs and with a raincoat over his head, these parties really must find something to squabble over.
