Gervais changes his mind on another film

In a last-minute change of heart, he has decided that the film This Side Of The Truth should revert to its original title, The Invention Of Lying – because it’s easier to market.

The move comes just two weeks after he changed the name of The Men From The Pru to Cemetery Junction, after the financial giant objected to its name being used in the story of two insurance salesmen in Reading in the Seventies.

Gervais said the The Invention Of Lying better sums up the first film’s plot, of writer who suddenly comes up with the idea of lying in a world where no one has previously done so.

Writing on his blog, Gervais said: ‘We changed the name of the movie at the last possible moment. The titles go on this week. If we’d have changed our minds next week it would have cost a lot of dollars. (Dollars we haven't got, as we've spent our whole budget now.)

‘I loved This Side Of The Truth but we worried that in all the marketing it would be difficult to try to get the concept across. If you go more "on the nose" with the title you can be more creative with trailers and posters.

‘I was really worried about changing the name of the film back to its original title. So far everyone who's seen the film thinks it's a good move.

‘I hope everybody who hasn't seen the film hates the title, though. That would be a good omen as it would be the exact same pattern as with The Office. Everyone I told that title to thought it was bland, obvious, dumbed down, etc. until they saw it. Then it all became clear. So please be cynical and I'll know I'm onto something.’

The Invention of Lying – which is due out in September – stars Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill and Jason Bateman. Tina Fey, Rob Lowe, Christopher Guest, Stephen Merchant and Louis C.K., also have parts, while Patrick Stewart provides the narration.

Published: 21 Apr 2009