Variety Goes Bloggy
A terrifc get by Gabriel Snyder in Wednesday’s Variety is very much in the style of bloggers and is a terrific story… whoever put two and two together.
Litigious scholar seeks to enter PR ‘Kingdom’
‘God’ scribe Reston offering expert services to media
By GABRIEL SNYDER
“Even though James Reston Jr. is still threatening to sue 20th Century Fox over “Kingdom of Heaven,” the historian would love to be featured in any stories or shows about the film.Two weeks after Reston publicly claimed that Fox illegally lifted material from his 2002 book “Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and the Saladin in the Third Crusade,” the tome’s publisher, Anchor Books, sent out a press release advising, “If you are planning an article, segment or show on the new movie ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ — and need an expert on the Crusades — James Reston Jr. is available.”
While the advisory doesn’t mention the author’s legal tussle, it does bill the film as “sure to be one of the first major summer blockbusters!”
Asked if the attempt to publicize his book by latching onto the film amounts to a reversal of course, Reston shot back, “I think you’ve got it upside down. It was the movie that latched onto the book. It’s my view that the whole movie is based on my book.” Though rattling his saber, Reston has not filed any suit.
Russell Perreault, director of publicity at Anchor, said there’s been media interest in Reston but admitted it makes for a “weird” situation. “He’s completely promoting his book, not the movie,” he said. “He has not seen the film. He’s not commenting on whether it’s good or bad.”
Reston acknowledged an expert contemplating litigation may not be the ideal source. “It should be disclosed,” he said, “and there are people who would rather speak to someone else.”
Date in print: Wed., Apr. 20, 2005, Los Angeles”
Okay. Let me get this straight. This guy believes
a major movie studio, director, and whomever else
ripped off his book. Ripped off to such an extent
that he has threatened legal action. Yet he wants
to be a part of any story dealing with the film that
ripped him off? Is he into the bookies or something?
Did he just realize that renting a gulfstream still
cost too much? Not only does this kill his chance
at future litigation (because we all know he and
his people are just waiting for this film to become
financially successful), but it kills any credibility
he has as a scholar. Wow. I am sure the US government
appreciates those student loans of his now.
this guy is dying for some publicity. media whore
Those kinds of press releases are routinely sent out by the publicity departments of publishing houses. I know we are always trying to find any kind of hook for our academic authors to get “off the book review page” publicity.
That being said, it sounds like Reston and the publicity dept. at Anchor were not aware of what each other was doing.
Of course, what will be REALLY interesting is whether Reston’s book just happens to come out in a new paperback edition just in time for the movie’s release, with cover art that looks suspiciously like Orlando Bloom.
What some people will do for a tie in with a big movie.
Get the conspiracy theories out with this one.
Hypocricy knows no bounds…
For some reason I don’t think this is what was meant when Jesus said, “Don’t let your right hand know what your left is doing…”