Budweiser Tries To Ban Itself From Hit Movie 'Flight'




Budweiser Tries To Ban Itself From Hit Movie 'Flight'
BHR HollyWood Reports Brewer not happy about drunken character drinking their beer
Beer brands usually love to be featured in the movies, after all it's a good way of getting round strict advertising rules to show people having a good time having a drink. But it seems that Budweiser makers Anheuser-Busch have tried to remove their beer from new movie 'Flight'.

'Flight' stars Denzel Washington as an airline pilot accused of drinking before captaining a plane, and the movie shows his character getting through the booze, including Bud and various vodka brands.


The film, by Robert Zemeckis, opened at number 2 this week in the US box-office, taking $25m but has sparked anger at the brewer.

According to the Associated Press, Budweiser Vice President  Robert McCarthy wrote a letter to Zemeckis’ Image Movers company and to Paramount saying Anheuser-Busch had “no knowledge of the use or portrayal of Budweiser” during the film's production and were not contacted.

The news wire reports that the letter goes on to say: “We would never condone the misuse of our products, and have a long history of promoting responsible drinking and preventing drunk driving. It is disappointing that Image Movers, the production company, and Paramount chose to use one of our brands in this manner,” adding:  “We have asked the studio to obscure the Budweiser trademark in current digital copies of the movie and on all subsequent adaptations of the film, including DVD, On Demand, streaming and additional prints not yet distributed to theaters.”

Anheuser- Busch's thin skin shouldn't compel Paramount to change the movie though, as courts have ruled film makers are allowed to use common brands in movies, as long as their use can be justified artistically, as would appear to be the case in 'Flight', as after all a pilot accused of being drunk on a plane might have to get drunk at some point.

The company's approach to the movie marks a strong contrast with European brand Heineken, who've spent millions promoting James Bond movie 'Skyfall' despite the main character being described as having a drinking problem during the film.



I'm Big Blac This Is Your BHR HollyWood Reports

                        

Comments

BHR Popular Posts

Black HollyWood Reports Popular Posts