Commentary: Germany filmmaker does 'American Idol' search for cast

June 12, 2008 When Germany's most successful commercial filmmaker, Michael "Bully" Herbig, needed a new marketing twist to promote his latest project, he decided to capitalize on the country's craze for "American Idol"-style talent shows and set up a national televised search for the film's cast. The idea was a master stroke for a director whose marketing moxie is, within the industry, almost as legendary as his boxoffice success. Herbig's new film, "Vicky and the Strong Men," is a live-action adventure based on the 1970s animated series "Vicky the Viking," about a clever Viking boy and a pack of mighty but dim-witted adult warriors.

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