LOS ANGELES, June 8 (UPI) -- Miramax Films plans to release at least 10 movies over the next three months, clearing a backlog of films that have waited up to four years to be released.
The Los Angeles Times reported that co-founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein held off on releasing some of the titles during their protracted legal battle over the company's future with The Walt Disney Co., which bought Miramax in 1993. The Weinsteins are scheduled to leave Disney and Miramax on Sept. 30.
Peter Abrams, the producer of "Underclassman," told the paper his movie was caught in the "Weinstein-Disney buzz saw." The movie stars "Drumline's" Nick Cannon as an undercover police officer.
"To have it be sitting there just kills you," said Abrams.
The Weinsteins said they are determined to supervise the release of movies they produced or acquired before they strike out on their own.
"It's about us overseeing the movies," said Bob Weinstein.
The Weinsteins plan to release five movies during one two-week span in September. "Underclassman" is scheduled to open in August -- the same day as the big-studio release "The Dukes of Hazzard."
