More pain for love - split Geri as Viz movie looks set to flop .
Oh how Geri Halliwell must be wishing she never signed up for the Fat Slags film debacle.
First, she starts dating co-star Jerry O'Connell, only for them to split and for him to cruelly label the ex-Spice Girl a mere "tour guide".
And now we hear the film, which also stars Naomi Campbell, James Dreyfus, Ralph Little and Michael Greco, is so bad that its makers won't be holding a premiere.
The movie, which is based on the Viz comic strip, had been billed as the Brit comedy of the summer.
But it was held up after negative test screenings and is now being quietly released on Friday, with no fanfare apart from a few TV ads.
Officially, distributors Entertainment Films claimed that "none of the talent was available" for a premiere.
But we hear that stars including Geri and Naomi weren't even approached about the possibility of attending.
"The truth is that no one wanted to spend thousands of pounds promoting a turkey," a film insider tells us.
"A London premiere costs at least £50,000-£100,000 and there was no way good money was going to be thrown after bad.
"Stars such as Geri and Naomi weren't even aware it would be out this week and there are many people who are privately wishing it had never been made."
The film, which stars Smack The Pony's Fiona Allen and Sandra Thompson - sister of actress Emma - as maneaters Sandra and Tracey, received a big thumbs-down from viewers at test screenings earlier this year. "The humour is very childish, with few laugh-out-loud jokes," said one unimpressed viewer.
"That's fair enough but a large proportion of the people attending walked out of the preview halfway through. Not a good sign."
Another said simply: "This is a terrible, terrible movie."
The film was also delayed by extensive re-shoots. Even the ending was reportedly filmed again, to make it more appealing.
"Hardly anyone is aware the film is coming out on Friday," the source continued. "The tactic has obviously been to get it out there and hope for the best.
"Having a big premiere would not only have wasted money, it would have drawn more attention to what is, essentially, a poor movie.
"Many critics haven't been made aware of the release, which again is very unusual. The whole thing just smacks of embarrassment."
When we contacted Naomi's publicist he told us: "She wasn't aware the film was coming out on Friday and she wasn't approached about any premiere."
A spokesperson for the film said: "Yes, Fat Slags is out on Friday and there won't be a premiere. It's an availability issue and I can't comment further."
Still, at least Geri will be spared the embarrassment of having to face her old flame on the red carpet.
Source: 3AM Column
