‘Veronica Mars’ Kickstarter Backers Angry at Rewards
Some Veronica Mars fans who helped make the movie version of the short-lived TV series break numerous records on crowd-funding site Kickstarter – including most project backers in the history of the site and all-time highest-funded film – are reportedly getting some of their money back.
Many fans who pledged $35 or more were set to receive a digital copy of the film, and now that they have, they’re dissatisfied with its quality. The film was distributed as a stream through online movie site Flixster, with the quality not good enough for some “Marshmallows.” Many fans were also frustrated that the film is available only as a stream and not for download. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is reportedly offering $10 or full refunds to people who chose to purchase the movie on iTunes, Amazon or a similar service.
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Moviemaker Rob Thomas wrote on the film’s Kickstarter, “More than anything, I genuinely want today to be perfect for all of you. It’s March 14. Today, your movie came out worldwide, and I want you to be able to watch it on whatever platform or device works best for your needs.”
Thomas had posted plans to raise funds for the movie on Kickstarter in March 2013. It reached its $2 million funding goal in less than 10 hours. In the end, contributors pledged more than $5.7 million to get the movie made.
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A Warner Bros. rep told Los Angeles Times that the “vast majority” of backers had a “successful experience” streaming the movie. That person added, “We are, of course, working diligently to ensure that all the Veronica Mars backers have a great experience.”
The fans who are satisfied should savor the moment, though. In a lengthy interview with Rolling Stone, Thomas said he could live out his life without ever revisiting the series. “If we never saw Veronica again, and I never got the chance to tell another story involving her, I’m totally comfortable with where we left her this time,” he said. “It was much harder leaving her as a pariah the way we did at the end of the show.”