| Theodore Rex | |
|---|---|
 Canadian video poster | |
| Directed by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Written by | Jonathan Betuel |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | David Tattersall |
| Edited by |
|
| Music by | Robert Folk |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $33.5 million[2][3] |
Theodore Rex, also known asT. Rex,[4][5] is a 1996[6]buddy copscience-fictioncomedy film written and directed by Jonathan Betuel and starringWhoopi Goldberg. Though originally intended for theatrical release, the film wentdirect-to-video, and consequently became the most expensive direct-to-video film ever made at the time of its release.[7][8][9]
The film was reviewed poorly,[5][10] and saw Whoopi Goldberg being nominated for Worst Actress at the 1996Golden Raspberry Awards.[11] It is the firstdirect-to-video movie to receive any sort of Razzie nomination.[12]
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In an alternate futuristic society where humans anddinosaurs co-exist, a tough police detective named Katie Coltrane (Whoopi Goldberg) is paired with aTyrannosaurus named Theodore Rex (George Newbern) to find the killer of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals leading them to a ruthlessbillionaire bent on killing off mankind by creating a newice age.
The lead character Katie was originally a white male withKurt Russell considered for the role.[13]
Theodore Rex was poorly reviewed by critics and audiences. On thereview aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes,0% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 1.7/10.[14]Variety magazine gave the film a negative review, saying, "This is one T. rex that won’t be spared the tar pits."[15] William Thomas ofEmpire magazine gave the film a one out of five stars and said, "Steer Clear".[16]
In a 2015 interview with the Brazilian newspaperFolha de S.Paulo, Goldberg stated that this is the only film she regrets ever having done: "Don't ask me why I did it, I didn't want to", she said.[17] Goldberg also said it made "no sense to anybody to like it".[18]
ThoughWhoopi Goldberg had made an oral agreement to star in the film in October 1992,[6] she attempted to back out. Abramson filed a US$20 million lawsuit against Goldberg, which was settled quickly. Goldberg agreed to star in the film for $7 million,[2] $2 million more than the amount originally agreed upon.[7]
One of the attorneys on the case described this as being similar to the legal battle ofKim Basinger when she backed out of the filmBoxing Helena.[7]
The film was originally intended for theatrical release in North America during Christmas 1995, but a glut of competition as well as a rush on post production work for the effects heavy film led toNew Line Cinema delaying release.[19] They subsequently intended to release it to coincide with Goldberg's hosting stint at theAcademy Awards the following year,[6] but ultimately decided that it was in their best interests to release the filmdirect-to-video. This decision came as a result of failed test marketing inLas Vegas,Memphis,Portland, Maine andProvidence.[7][20] The film's $33.5 million budget made it the most expensive direct-to-video release at that time.[7]
The international distributors to whom New Line had pre-sold the rights to the film adopted a different release strategy by distributing theatrically in every country except the United States and Italy.[6]
