‘ENGINE’ FAILURE

For 10 years, it looked as though “No Way Out” might not get out.

According to producer Mace Neufeld, the political thriller starring Kevin Costner and Gene Hackman was rejected more than 100 times by six studios and all three networks.

Initially titled “Finished With Engines,” the film’s script (by Robert Garland) at last wound up at Orion Pics.

The resulting film garnered largely positive reviews--not to mention a respectable $4.3 million in opening weekend ticket sales.

Which is why Neufeld agreed to dig into his file of rejection letters for the following sampling of rejection prose (from sources that Neufeld tastefully opted not to tell us):

From a network rep: “Given our prejudice against spy thrillers, we would have passed even if it had a more credible plot. The script is utterly lacking in relatable characters and sympathetic situations.”

From a major studio: “The script is dreadful, the characters are stereotypes, the situations are not unusual and the ending is absurd.”

From a “major director”: “Thanks, but I’ve already done my CIA piece.”

From a film financier: “After having this for a couple of months, I just found it in my right lower drawer.”

From a former reader-turned-studio veep: “Robert Garland is a mediocre writer who lacks the spark and talent to bring the story alive.” (After doing the first draft script in 1977, Garland wrote “The Electric Horseman.”)

Neufeld himself mused, “Often, when I submitted it to the studios, I’d get it back just as the studio head who rejected it would be getting fired.”