9 Movies That Studios Were Scared Of Releasing
4. Jojo Rabbit
Taika Waititi's Jojo Rabbit was produced by Fox Searchlight, a film banner that specialises in more arthouse, awards-bait fare. But when Disney's purchase of Fox was completed earlier this year, the film suddenly fell under the Mouse House's umbrella, and the company ultimately had the final say on when and how to release it.
Now, a story about a child whose imaginary friend is Adolf Hitler doesn't exactly scream Disney, and that's exactly why some of the studio's top brass were worried about letting it loose on the world.
In a recent report, Variety spoke about how Disney was displeased with the box-office results that Fox's films had generated since the two companies merged. Turning to Searchlight's oddball release, the site noted that Disney executives were "audibly uncomfortable" with the film, fearing that it might end up alienating Disney fans:
"The scathing takedown of Nazism may, however, prove a little too edgy for Disney brass accustomed to producing movies suitable for parents and kids. Searchlight has started to screen the film for its new parent company. Halfway through one recent viewing one executive grew audibly uncomfortable, worrying aloud that the material would alienate Disney fans."
Fortunately, Jojo Rabbit has had a good start at the box-office, and is currently rated fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. And since the Disney logo has hardly been emblazoned across the marketing, general moviegoers probably don't even know which studio the film came from.