Rights
The film was a production of Universal Pictures and Castle Rock Entertainment. Castle Rock led the production process and Universal participated in financing and distribution. Universal distributed the film outside the U.S., and Columbia Pictures distributed it domestically under its distribution contract with Castle Rock that existed between 1987 and 1999. After Time Warner's acquisition of Turner Broadcasting System (which owned Castle Rock), the film became part of the Turner Entertainment library under WB. However, in terms of domestic distribution, Warner Bros. is responsible for sales and distribution. Universal has maintained international (i.e. outside of the U.S.) rights for the life of the film.
Originally, actor Robert Redford approached a number of screenwriters with the single-line premise, "the president elopes." Sorkin's treatment was selected by Redford to write the screenplay with the expectation that Redford would star. When Reiner was brought aboard to direct, however, Redford dropped out. At the time, his publicist attributed Redford's decision to his desire "to do a love story, but (Reiner) wanted to do something that was ultimately about politics." Other sources suggested that Redford and Reiner "didn't get along, . . . It was a personality thing."
Redford's production company, Wildwood Enterprises, continued to have a production credit on the film.
Read more about this topic: The American President
Famous quotes containing the word rights:
“I recognize no rights but human rights—I know nothing of men’s rights and women’s rights ...”
—Angelina Grimké (1805–1879)
“When lions paint pictures men will not always be represented as conquerors. When women translate laws, constitutions, bibles and philosophies, man will not always be the declared heard of the church, the state, and the home.”
—Elizabeth Cady Stanton 1815–1902, U.S. women’s rights activist, author, editor. The Revolution (August 13, 1868)
“We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)