Funding Fiasco Idles Brando, Winger, Depp

A film production starring Marlon Brando, Debra Winger and Johnny Depp collapsed midway through production Monday after its Paris-based backer withheld funding, the producer said.

Unlike the film’s heroine, it doesn’t look like “Divine Rapture” will rise from the dead.

Shooting on the $23 million production began July 10 in Ballycotton, a village east of Ireland’s southwestern city of Cork, with the supposed financial backing of the French filmmakers Cinefin. It was to have wrapped up in mid-August.

“On Friday it became clear no funding was coming through from Cinefin,” producer Barry Navidi said.

He said he and other independent investors had put about $4 million into the production, but could afford no more.

Brando was to have been paid a reported $6.5 million, and Winger $3.2 million. Now it appears all the stars will get is room and board, Navidi said.

Cinefin could not be reached for comment.