"Killshot" fever has cooled

The big news has finally come.

But you may not have even noticed because, by now, it's quite likely you've lost interest in the whole deal.

What else could I be speaking of but the infamous "Killshot" movie?

Sources with the Weinstein Co., the film's studio, confirmed last week that April 11 is indeed the release date for "Killshot," though they didn't specify what sort of release that will be: wide theatrical release, limited theatrical release or the dreaded and much speculated straight-to-DVD release.

If I were to bet on it, I'd put my money on wide theatrical, because with a cast like this one (Diane Lane, Thomas Jane, Mickey Rourke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt) it's a smart move to take this film to theaters. Some people will watch just for the stars, some will watch because they love Elmore Leonard, some will watch because Quentin Tarantino produced the film, some will watch because John Madden (not the football guy) directed.

The studio also said that, indeed, Cape Girardeau will be in the movie. Whether or not Cape Girardeau's been cut out of the picture has been the point of much speculation, so there's your answer. As to how much you'll see of Cape Girardeau, that's another question.

As for any kind of premiere or advance screening here, the studio is unsure as of yet.

So, what's it all mean to you? Going by the responses I've received to our reporting on blogs and in the newspaper, probably not too much. For a few weeks in early 2006, the town was gripped by "Killshot" fever, and more accurately, by Hollywood fever. We freaked out when the stars showed their pretty faces in our town. And we in the media only fanned the flames.

Now that fever has died out. Many people have told us they just don't care anymore what becomes of "Killshot." I can understand that. After all, it's not like this film is going to put Cape on the map, to use a tired cliche.

But I have a feeling that a few weeks before April 11, many of us will catch the fever again. And I can guarantee that, when the film does open in Cape, the theater will be packed.

See you opening night.