Strangers with Candy is in need of a distributor with more of a sweet tooth.

The feature-length version of the Comedy Central series featuring Amy Sedaris as a 46-year-old reformed junkie who returns to high school as a freshman was slated for an Oct. 21 release via Warners Independent Pictures.

The studio acquired the much-buzzed about film last winter at Sundance for a reported $3 million.

However, fearing that the film's producers had failed to secure the necessary rights for items such as posters and props, WIP decided that it will not release the film as planned, Daily Variety reports.

The film, starring Sedaris and Stephen Colbert, and featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Philip Seymour Hoffman in supporting roles, was the first feature produced through David Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants.

Though the company claimed it secured the necessary rights for the film from Comedy Central, WIP insisted there were numerous outstanding issues complicating the film's release.

The studio is reportedly gun-shy in the wake of a $17.5 million decision against Warner Bros, Pictures last summer in connection with The Dukes of Hazzard.

Warner Bros. ponied up the millions to ensure the Jessica Simpson vehicle would arrive in theaters as planned after Georgia-based producer Robert B. Clark was awarded a preliminary injunction on his claim the studio had infringed on the copyright to his obscure 1975 United Artists film Moonrunners, upon which the television edition of The Dukes of Hazzard was based.

In his lawsuit, Clark argued that Warner Bros. had purchased the TV rights to his script, but had neglected to put up the dough for the movie rights.

Not wanting to risk the $40 million spent on promoting the film, Warners plunked down the cash. As a result, the studio is apparently being extra careful about making a similar mistake.

According to Variety, WIP may void the contract with Worldwide Pants, leaving the production company free to seek another distributor for Strangers.



ssb: I had been highly anticipating this movie for about 2 years. Though I heard rumblings...I was hoping this would NOT come to pass. I need to be consoled...

It really sucks. I was so hoping this would be on the big screen...and that others would get to know the magic as I had gotten to know it.

More so I was really hoping the best for the people that were doing this...Amy, Paul and Steven. It had sounded Hilarious from the Sundance reports but we knew it had to be edited.

OK so now give me my Damn unedited DVD with all the goodies and Amy commentaries!

superspaceboy said:

OKAY!!!

If you're really upset then I feel your pain buddy--I know what it's like.

But if you're just being dramatic than and this thread sucks.


Please let me know which one is more appropriate a reaction and I will edit accordingly.

Imago777 said:

I thought you knew me better. It is the former...not the latter. She's my avie!

Ok I finally read the whole article...I thought they were not releasing due to it not being all that funny...now it's just because of rights on posters and other paraphenalia.

frikin treated this show just like comedy central. spent all that damn money too to edit it down...for nothing!