Hollywood Pauses In Light Of Tragedy

Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2001 at 12:18 PM Central

by John Couture

The tragic events that transpired yesterday were felt across the entire world. Even Hollywood, the land of fantasy and make believe, was hit with the reality of the situation.

Many films that were shooting on Tuesday suspended production until further notice. Films in post-production started to take measures to insure that they are sensitive to the tragedy. And, some films were pushed back because of their subject matter.

Big Trouble, a star driven movie centered on a bomb in a suitcase, has been pushed back into next year. Sidewalks Of New York, the latest Ed Burns production, has been moved to late November. Even the theatrical trailers for next year's Spider-Man, which depicts a spider web spun between the twin towers of the World Trade Center capturing a helicopter, have been pulled and destroyed.

Other movies are sure to feel the same impact in the near future. Warner Bros. executives are meeting today to discuss the future of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Collateral Damage, which is scheduled for an October 5th theatrical release. The eerie subject matter of the film follows Schwarzenegger who tracks down an International terrorist after his family is killed by a massive bomb blast in a skyscraper.

Overall, the key word in Hollywood today is caution. Movies have always served a therapeutic purpose on some level. It appears evident that Hollywood is choosing to be careful and observant, rather than reckless and unflinching. Hopefully, movies in the coming weeks will help to heal America, as opposed to adding insult to injury.