Confirmed: 'Rambo' won't screen for critics in Chicago

Just moments ago, the same Chicago publicist who earlier told me “Rambo” won’t screen in Chicago just sent me a last-minute invitation to screen “Rambo” in Chicago! It’ll screen on Wednesday night and has an embargo for Friday, which is when the film opens. How strange…

Jeff Wells from LA:

Industry know-it-all to Lionsgate publicist: “So are you screening Rambo?” Lionsgate publicist: “Oh, sure!” Industry know-it-all: “And when would that be?” Lionsgate publicist: “January 25th.” Industry know-it-all: “That’s the day it opens.” Lionsgate publicist: “Yes.” Industry know-it-all: “Is this what’s called a critics’ courtesy screening?” Lionsgate publicist: “Oh, we don’t like that term. It’s just a critics’ screening.” Industry know-it-all: “But [a Lionsgte executive] said it’s great. Why aren’t you letting critics review it on opening day?” Lionsgate publicist: “Well, it is great. We just don’t believe it’ll be celebrated by very many critics.”

Posted on Jan. 11 at 5:53 p.m. at /Film:

Bad news Rambo fans. Lionsgate has decided not to screen Rambo for press, aside from the few who attended the press junket in Los Angeles earlier this week. And even those journalists were subject to extensive Non Disclosure agreements which won’t allow them to say a word. National press not doing interviews in Hollywoodland won’t screen the film at all (Adam from HollywoodChicago.com and two other outlets have also confirmed this). Why would the studio be so afraid of critical response, unless the movie is bad.