The Latest Updates On Madison The Movie

Jim Caviezel and his wife, Kerri, arrive at the Heartland Film Festival in October 2001 in Indianapolis.

‘Madison’ national release rescheduled for Jan. 31, 2003

MGM, Premiere Marketing & Distribution Group say they need more time to promote film

By Don Ward, Editor

MADISON, Ind. (October 2002) – Keep the bubbly on ice. The much-anticipated national release of the movie “Madison” has been delayed until Jan. 31, 2003, from its previously announced release of Oct. 25.
Officials with the Premiere Marketing and Distribution Group, LLC, in Sherman Oaks, Calif., say the change was made to give the film a better window of exposure when it is released in more than 2,000 theaters nationwide.
The newly formed film distribution company is teaming with MGM to release “Madison.” The addition of MGM last summer was considered a major boost for the film by director Bill Bindley and his brother and script co-author Scott Bindley of Indianapolis. Scott Bindley announced the merger in April during a speaking engagement in Madison.
MGM will handle the actual release and marketing of “Madison,” officials said. Bowers said the movie will be promoted along with MGM’s Nov. 22 release of the next James Bond film, “Die Another Day.”
Premiere Marketing, meanwhile was scheduled to release its first film, “Slap Her, She’s French,” in November. Another film, “Who’s Your Daddy?” is also due out late this year. The company was formed by New Line Cinema executive Mitch Goldman as an effort to help independent film productions get wide releases.
Premiere Group marketing officials said the later release date will provide more time to build promotion of the film. Plus, actor Jim Caviezel is expected to be free from other movie commitments in late January to help promote the film in New York and Los Angeles. A special premiere of the movie at Madison’s Ohio Theater has been in the works for some time, however, no details have been finalized, according to local officials.
Laura Ratcliff, who owns the Ohio Theater with her husband, Tony, said she had been contacted about organizing a premiere for the October release, but plans were canceled when the release date was moved.
She expects some type of similar arrangement in January, but those plans have not yet been made. She said original plans were to have the movie play simultaneously in both her theaters on premiere night, then move up to the hilltop’s Madison 6 for showing when the movie is released nationally.
Tony Steinhardt, who was the Miss Madison crew chief in 1971 and served as technical advisor on the film, said the Premiere Group has avoided the limelight so far with “Madison” because of earlier release dates that were subsequently canceled. He advises fans to watch for national publicity on the film, “then you’ll know for sure we have a solid date.”
The movie “Madison” is a fictionalized true story of the late Jim McCormick’s surprise victory in the 1971 Gold Cup Madison Regatta. Caviezel plays the role of McCormick, an Owensboro, Ky., native. Actor Jake Lloyd plays young Mike McCormick, Jim’s son. Lloyd earned fame for his role in “Star Wars – the Phantom Menace.”
Other prominent roles in the film are played by actors Bruce Dern, Paul Dooley, Chelcie Ross, Mary McCormack, Brent Briscoe, Frank Knapp, Kristina Anapau, James Andelin, Reed Diamond, Mark Fauser, Richard Lee Jackson, Matthew Letscher, Cody McMains, Byrne Piven, William Shockley, Vincent Ventresca and John M. Watson Sr.
The movie was filmed primarily in Madison during the summer and fall of 1999, including race scenes shot during the 1999 Madison Regatta. Scenes were also filmed at other locations in Indiana and California.
The film debuted in raw form at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, and later at the 2001 Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis, where dozens of Madison residents saw it for the first time. The film had a private showing this past spring in Indianapolis during the Little Indy 500 Festival. Caviezel attended the festival and the showing.

“Madison” Movie Credits
Made in USA, 2001
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2002
Distributors: MGM and Premiere Marketing & Distribution Group
Runtime: 94 min.
Executive Producers: Carl Amari, Chris Dennis, Steve Salutric, Roy Millonzi
Producers: Martin Wiley, William Bindley
Co-Producer: Lisa Lloyd
Screenwriters: William Bindlye, Scott Bindley
Director: William Bindley (Credits: “The Eighteenth Angel,” “Judicial Consent”)
Principal Cast: Jim Caviezel (Jim McCormick), Jake Lloyd (Mike McCormick), Mary McCormack (Bonnie McCormick), Bruce Dern (Harry Volpi), Paul Dooley (Mayor Don Vaughn), Brent Briscoe (Tony Steinhardt).
Additional Cast: Kristina Anapau (Tami), James Andelin (Merle), Reed Diamond (Skip), Mark Fauser (Travis), Richard Lee Jackson (Buddy), Matthew Letscher (Owen Henderson), Cody McMains (Bobby Epperson), William Shockley (Rick Winston), Vincent Ventresca (Walker Grief), John M. Watson Sr. (Walter).
Storyline: A somewhat fictionalized account of a true story about an Unlimited hydroplane driver’s surprise victory in the 1971 Gold Cup at Madison, Ind.
Official website: http://www.madisonthemovie.com