Terry Gilliam has a nose for trouble

CHUD, whom I like to think of as the sensible geek alternative to Ain’t It Cool News, has posted the one-sheet for the new Terry Gilliam film, The Brothers Grimm. Gilliam, Monty Python animator and director of Brazil, The Fisher King, 12 Monkeys and the psychotically brilliant Fear and Loathing adaptation, seems perfectly matched with this sure-to-be-wacky story of the classic storytellers as con men hoisting supernatural tricks on unsuspecting villages.

Writer Devin Faraci suggests that Gilliam is rather unhappy with the final product and has all but disowned the film. Apparently, a large part of the problem came out of the way Harvey Weinstein wanted to handle Matt Damon’s nose.

Notice Matt Damon's nose? It's supposed to be long and fucked up looking, but when Harvey Weinstein heard that was what was going on, he forbade Gilliam from obscuring the star's face. When Gilliam ignored him, Harvey sent a guy to the set to actually step in front of the camera if Matt got on set with that fake nose on.

This is unfortunate. In fact, it stinks, pun completely intended. After his failed attempt to film The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (which resulted in this documentary), it’s a shame to see another possible masterwork - or at least a unique, non-formulaic film - raped by studio stupidity. Last I heard, this film was due out in late July or August, but with this sort of contested picture, one never knows.