I haven't seen Religulous but it sounds like a knock off of John Safran Versus God, which I thought was hilarious.
I agree - I think this is a beat-up, and will be resolved sooner rather than later. The movie guys will want to make their money.
However, the elements of the beat-up make it really interesting. Claims that the religious right are controlling that most American of industries, 'the movie industry', has to cause a furore. No-one wants to admit they are being controlled by any group.
The reviews stating that it is even-handed and wise will appeal to the intelligentsia who see themselves as a minority, and the fact that it has rave reviews elsewhere implies that it is a GOOD movie.
I would also think that distribution rights costs are based on returns, and therefore movies unlikely to appeal to a mass market in any country will be priced lower than those with popular appeal, and
proportionally across countries the price should be similar.
And if it is a good movie, then I can understand the religious right's problem, and the response.
An overtly religious knocking polarises people, gets people who were sitting on the fence to move back into the corner, is easily dismissed, has the pollies etc come out to defend religion and therefore makes it even more 'mainstream'. A thoughtful, well produced, interesting movie about a highly respected scientist, intelligently looking at his work and life, actually causes people to think not react and is therefore much more dangerous.
Given the power of the religious right in the US to influence government then influencing this is not so far from probable.
I think the process is quite disingenuous and it will be interesting to watch the outcome.