In a revealing exit interview with The Hollywood Reporter’s Kim Masters in 2011, former Warner Bros President and COO Alan Horn shared his initial hesitations about Clint Eastwood’s film “Million Dollar Baby.”
Looking back, Horn explained, “Clint approached me quietly, without any confirmed casting. After I read the script, I had my doubts. My thinking was, ‘How would an audience, especially women, react to female boxing?’”
At the time, with a lacking presence in women’s boxing and the rise of Women’s MMA still on the horizon, his concerns seemed justifiable. After all, the mid-2000s didn’t showcase a substantial interest in women’s boxing even with personalities like Laila Ali in the ring.
Eastwood took Horn’s hesitation in stride, willing to pitch the movie to other companies. Lakeshore Entertainment even stepped up to fund half of the film’s modest $30 million budget. This was quite feasible, considering Eastwood’s known efficiency with time and finances.
Nonetheless, Horn retained his reservations.
FAQs About Warner Bros. and Million Dollar Baby
Who was the Warner Bros. executive who expressed concerns about Million Dollar Baby?
The executive was Alan Horn, who served as the President and COO of Warner Bros.
What were Alan Horn’s main concerns about the film?
Horn was worried that audiences, particularly women, might not be interested in the film’s boxing theme, considering it was a sport largely uncelebrated among women at the time.
Did Clint Eastwood take “Million Dollar Baby” to another studio?
Yes, Eastwood was prepared to take the project to other studios with Horn’s blessing. Lakeshore Entertainment considered funding half of the budget.
What was the budget for “Million Dollar Baby”?
The budget for “Million Dollar Baby” was approximately $30 million.
Did Warner Bros. eventually produce “Million Dollar Baby”?
The article does not specify if Warner Bros. produced the film, but historically, Warner Bros. did move forward with the project.