Back in October of last year, Disney announced that their subdivision, Miramax Films, would begin to see a much smaller slate of upcoming projects. By the end of the year, the company had released six films, down from previous years. We should have all seen it as a sign of things to come, but none of us were truly ready to acknowledge what could be the demise of the studio that brought us such classics as Clerks, Pulp Fiction, and Pokemon 4Ever.
Today, Disney announced that they’ll be shutting down the two Miramax Film offices, located in New York and Los Angeles, and that all 80 people under employment would be let go.
Miramax has been known since its inception for bringing us a vast number of films from all corners of Hollywood that would later result in domestic and international success. The Aviator, Chicago, Resevoir Dogs, Shakespeare in Love, Good Will Hunting, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and Swingers are just a few that you’re probably familiar with. Most on that list have either won, or been nominated for several Academy Awards in various categories.
But alas, the legacy has been brought to an end. Rumors have it that Disney may be looking to sell the studio off for the modest price of $1.5 billion. No doubt this is far too hefty a fee for anyone to take them up, and the studio will undoubtedly be lost to history, and forever left in our memories.
RIP Miramax. You will be missed.
