Blockbuster Taps Out

Variety has the scoop on the Weinstein Company's new deal with Blockbuster: Basically, for four years, Blockbuster will be the only renter to distribute flicks from the production company. In return, Weinstein films will get a heavy push from Blockbuster and the chain is also guaranteeing payments "that amount to a certain percentage of the box office."

This looks like panic on the part of Blockbuster. Faced with a declining market share of a potentially-soon-to-be-obsolete market, Blockbuster is making a bid for relevance. And if they had lassoed a major studio, say Disney or Sony, then it would have been a strong move. But when an industry leader tries to throw its weight around and all it gets is the Weinstein Company--that's weakness.

Here's a list of the projects they've got lines up:

The Brothers Bloom (2008)
Escape from Planet Earth (2008)
The Great Debaters (2008)
Hellraiser (2008)
Inglorious Bastards (2008)
Knight Rider (2008)
The Meerkats (2008)
Outspoken (2008)
Scary Movie 5 (2008)
Untitled Kevin Smith Horror Project (2008)
Tropa de Elite (2007)
My Blueberry Nights (2007)
Sin City 2 (2007)
Grindhouse (2007)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2007)
Chasing Temptation (2007)
Hannibal Rising (2007)
Fanboys (2007)
The Last Legion (2007)
Awake (2007)
The Equalizer (2007)
Fletch Won (2007)
Four Knights (2007)
Hua Mulan (2007)
Igor (2007)
Journey Into the Unknown (2007)
Kung Fu High School (2007)
My Enemy's Enemy (2007)
The Nanny Diaries (2007)
Outlander (2007)
Spring Break in Bosnia (2007)
Toyer (2007)
Factory Girl (2006)
Fast Track (2006/I)
Miss Potter (2006)
Arthur and the Minimoys (2006
Unknown (2006)
La Citadelle assiégée (2006)
Fade to Black (2006/I)
Train Wreck! (2006) (V)
School for Scoundrels (2006)
Breaking and Entering (2006)
Shut Up & Sing (2006
Black Sheep (2006/I)
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)
Penelope (2006)
Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland (2006)
DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)
Bobby (2006)

See a lot of sure-fire winners in there? A lot of movies that Blockbuster should be paying up-front for?

I always thought that Blockbuster's lame and much delayed response to Netflix was a sign of really poor management. If you needed any further proof, this is it. Don't be surprised if Blockbuster doesn't even exist ten years from now.