It's perfectly common for a movie come out after one of its principal actors has died, and it can even go on to be one of the biggest movies of all time. But when a movie comes out three years after the death of one of its talents? That's more than a little bizarre. Delgo, a CG-animated fantasy film, has been set for a release of December 12, and includes among its huge voice cast Anne Bancroft, who died in June 2005.
The Hollywood Reporter doesn't say much about the film in its article announcing the release date, except for listing the usual motley crew of a voice cast, including Val Kilmer, Kelly Ripa, Burt Reynolds, Malcolm McDowell and Eric Idle. Set for distribution by Freestyle Releasing, Delgo is presumably an independent animated film, not subject to the same release date pressure and massive marketing campaign as Disney-Pixar or Dreamworks Animation releases. I'm guessing the film was delayed for some time after it was completed, which explains how Bancroft's voice will be coming to us from beyond the grave.
Dec. 12 is a perfect slot for an animated movie, provide it can find its way through the holiday rush of countless family-centric movies. Though Bancroft probably isn't a huge draw for the under-10 set, maybe Freestyle will be able to promote the movie to their old-movie-loving parents.
