Ishtar (film) - Aftermath

Aftermath

As a result of the losses it suffered from the film and negative publicity, Coca-Cola re-evaluated its decision to enter the business. It spun off its entertainment holdings into a separate company called Columbia Pictures Entertainment, with Coca-Cola holding 49% of the stock. Two years later, it sold Columbia to Sony.

The film's failure didn't affect the friendship between Beatty and Hoffman, who both liked the final cut of the film; Beatty later cast his former Ishtar co-star in the more successful Dick Tracy.

Beatty and May barely spoke for two years afterwards, and friends of hers say she remains slightly bitter about the experience. It was nine years before she took another screenwriting credit (for The Birdcage). She was nominated for an Academy Award for Primary Colors, but has not directed another film since Ishtar.