DVD Release

Today in the US, V for Vendetta was released to DVD in three different formats: a single-disc wide-screen version, a single-disc full-screen version and a two-disc wide screen special edition. A 16 minute featurette called "Freedom! Forever! Making V for Vendetta" and the theatrical trailer was included in all three versions. However the two-disc set included three other documentaries and numerous extra features for collectors.

V for Vendetta Pulled

Today V for Vendetta was pulled from the theaters. During its run time the movie enjoyed one week at the top of the box office and had a total gross of $70, 503, 491 US.

As he wished Alan Moore was not credited and his name does not appear in the film's closing credits.

General Release!

Today V for Vendetta had its general release in 3,365 theaters in the US, the UK, Canada and five other countries.

The movie runs 132 minutes long. It was released with an R rating in the States and in Canada received a 14A rating for strong violence and some language.


The official synopsis was released as well:

Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as “V.” Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V’s mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself – and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.

Release!

Today is the first official premier of V for Vendetta. It will be airing at the Berlin Film Festival. An international release date has been set for March 17, 2006. The original release date was supposed to be on the weekend of November the fifth in 2005 but was pushed back lessening the effect of the marketing campaign that contains the bonfire night rhyme.

There has been speculation that the delay was caused by the London tube bombing on July 7th and the failed bombing on July 21st. These claims have been denied by the filmmakers saying that the time was taken to finish the visual effects production.

Adrian Biddle, 53, Dead

Today Adrian Biddle, the cinematographer for V for Vendetta died of a heart attack at the age of 53. This will be the final film shot by Biddle. The film industry has lost a great man. We should consider ourselves lucky that we will have one last chance to see his work.

Press Conferences

Issues surrounding the film prompted the cast and filmmakers to attend several press conferences. These issues included the film's authenticity, Alan Moore's reaction to it and its intended political message. What was made clear by the press conference was that the film was meant to be a departure from Moore's original themes and intentions. Hugo Weaving stated that: "Alan Moore was writing about something which happened some time ago. It was a response to living in Thatcherite England... This is a response to the world in which we live today. So I think that the film and the graphic novel are two separate entities."

When asked about the controversial political content of the film the filmmakers said that the purpose of the film was to raise questions and add to a dialogue already present in today's society. As opposed to giving the answers and telling the viewers what to think.

Cast

Over this entire time I have yet to discuss the cast of the much anticipated movie.

Towards the beginning of filming James Purefoy was originally cast as V but found it difficult to breath wearing the mask so he left six weeks into filming. In his place Hugo Weaving was cast. During the movie some scenes of V will be played by Purefoy but with Weaving's voice dubbed over.


Portraying Evey Hammond will be Natalie Portman. In the graphic novel Evey was a very unintelligent character. According to reports they've rewritten the character so as to have her be more involved in what's happening around her. Also, Portman has shaved her head for the part.

Stephen Rea will be playing Chief Inspector Eric Finch


In the more minor roles are:
John Hurt as High Chancellor Adam Sutler
Stephen Fry as Gordon Deitrich
Tim Pigott-Smith as Peter Creedy
Natasha Wightman as Valerie Page
Roger Allam as Lewis Prothero

Many of the actors and actresses signed on to be in the movie because of the ideas and themes presented in the movie and because of how it criticizes modern day government and their stand on certain points such as gay rights and chemical warfare.