Weinstein Co pushes the release of ‘The Current War’ to 2018

Amidst the Harvey Weinstein scandal, The Weinstein Company has pushed back the release date of Benedict Cumberbatch’s historical drama, The Current War.

According to a report in Variety, the film has been shelved for an ‘undecided 2018 release.’ The movie premiered at Toronto International Film Festival and received a mixed bag of reviews.

The movie focuses on the race between Edison (Cumberbatch) and Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) to make electricity affordable and omnipresent. In order to win this race – or as the title suggests – war, Edison and Westinghouse reach for various ways and methods to outdo their rival. This will, at some point, also involve Tesla (Nicholas Hoult) who ‘fixes problems for idiots.’

Termed as ‘prestige picture,’ The Current War needs to be nominated for a couple of awards, including the Oscars to earn a profit. With Harvey Weinstein (who was considered a force to reckon with during awards season) in the middle of the still-unfolding sexual abuse scandal, the current situation does not bode well for the movie.

Over 30 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual abuse and inappropriate behaviour with at least 3 rape accusations. Every day since the New York Times report, a new victim comes forward.

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