The studio rejected the poster cause it “looks too much like art.” Seriously.
Legendary artist Drew Struzan is the man responsible for a handful of the most iconic movie posters of all time, including Star Wars, Back to the Future and Indiana Jones. Guillermo del Toro is a big fan of Struzan’s work, and back in 2006 he personally commissioned the artist to paint a piece of art for his fantasy fairytale Pan’s Labyrinth; the studio, however, wasn’t feeling it.
As explained on Struzan’s website:
All of Guillermo’s art, imagination, love, vision, talent and wisdom came to its pinnacle in this Academy Award winning film. It demanded a work of art to represent it. With or without studio support, Guillermo commissioned Drew to paint his impression of the heart of the film to decorate his life as the film has decorated our lives.
The book The Art of Drew Struzan revealed why the studio rejected it:
They were having a press conference in Europe, and a reporter actually stood up and asked one of the suits, ‘How come you didn’t use Struzan’s artwork for the poster?’ … The suit’s reply was: ‘We didn’t use it because it looks too much like art.’
The poster, which was never officially used in any country, is now finally being made available to the public over 10 years later. In conjunction with a special screening of Pan’s Labyrinth being held at Brooklyn’s Syndicated Theatre on Thursday, April 13th, attendees can purchase a signed print of the art as part of a limited $220 ticket that also includes two enamel pins and a complimentary themed cocktail. For those interested in stopping by just to snag one, Bottleneck Gallery will be on hand to sell the prints from 6pm-9pm on the day of the screening.
You’ll find all the info you need on Bottleneck’s website.
