![]() ![]() Evans reportedly took the news hard and his strong reaction surprised Towne. “He made the hairdresser’s trailer look like a hurricane had hit.” Evans and Towne were unavailable for comment, spokesmen said.Īccording to a number of sources connected to the production, Towne finally announced his decision to Evans at a meeting on April 26, four days before shooting was to begin. “He was like Faye Dunaway,” said one crew member. Meanwhile, according to observers, Evans was fanatically concerned with every detail concerning his role, spending hours fixing his hair and makeup. “He told me, ‘I’m really scared this guy could cause a lot of delays,’ ” the source said. According to a crew member on the set, Towne expressed concern daily over Evans’ performance. The director shot several test scenes with Evans in makeup and it became clear to Towne that Evans was not his man. ![]() And even when Dustin Hoffman expressed an interest in the Berman role, Towne stuck by Evans.īut as the shoot date neared, Towne apparently got cold feet. In a scene where the three main characters are playing golf for $1,000 a hole, Evans was portrayed humming at the tee, an Evans trademark. Towne even included eccentricities exclusive to the 54-year-old producer. Early on, Towne had written the Jake Berman part for Evans, a close friend for 20 years. What is clear is that a high-pitched debate between Towne on one side and Nicholson and Evans on the other was at least partially-but not wholly-responsible for Paramount’s decision. “My guess is they will be paid but it’s going to take a minute.”Ī Paramount spokeswoman confirmed that the production has been postponed indefinitely and added, “Paramount has no further comment at this time.” One studio executive said, “We’re still straightening it all out here so we couldn’t possibly comment.” “People are out of pocket a fortune,” he said. All in all, he said, the production owes about $1.5 million in pre-production costs. More than $50,000 is owed on lumber, $35,000 in paint and about $100,000 is due to prop houses, according to one high-ranking crew member. According to a high-ranking production member, a number of suppliers have yet to be paid. The production has racked up a bundle of debt as well. “As far as I know no one has been paid for the last two weeks,” said IATSE spokesman Mac St. Six Directors Guild of America members filed complaints as well. More than 120 crew members have filed grievances with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees charging they have not been paid for as much as two weeks work. In recent weeks, there were clues that the production was in trouble. “The main concern was that Bob Evans could not act his way out of a paper bag,” said one executive who had helped shepherd the project. When director Towne finally decided Evans was not right for the Berman role, Paramount got nervous. In the end, those who worked on the film say “Jakes” was a victim of ego overdose. ![]()
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