2012: A Monster Year? (box office predictions) - Part 2

[FilmNerdJamie]

There won't be any "Godfather" position for Whedon because he was basically another hired-gun doing what his bosses upstairs told him to do like all the other Marvel Studios directors. Not taking away from the good dialogue and character beats, but this wasn't like say a Nolan, Raimi or Singer whose had a singular vision.

[CConn]

Yep, in this age of Spielbergs and Lucases I don't think people realize that it's not always the director who has the creative oversight or reins of quality control of a film.

Sometimes it's the producers who manage the planning, execution, scope, etc. of a film, and the director is just the one who brings that planning to life.

A good example would be the James Bond movies; it was always Broccoli and Saltzman who controlled the production of those films. The Marvel movies are made in a very similar vein.

[terry78]

Mostly because Marvel isn't in as poor a position with their live action lineup as DC is. One hit.

[Marvin]

I'm inclined to somewhat agree with Jaime, however that says nothing of what will happen going forward. Whedon really didn't have all that much pull coming into this. Now look at what he's given them, even the sheer numbers.

At this point I'd say he's mr, clout. In way Favreau only ever dreamed. I recall Singer had a ton of note he had to follow on X1. And as powerful as Raimi got, they still made him make Spidey 3.

[FilmNerdJamie]

Raimi was under contract for 3 Spider-Man films. This position circa 1999, when he got the job, wasn't even in the same ballpark as it is these days.

[CConn]

Someone could've made an awesome Spider-Man 3 still utilizing Harry and Venom. And maybe even Sandman. Nolan was able to pull off having 2-3 villains in his Batman movies just fine.

It wasn't the studio's fault that the movie was mediocre, it was Raimi's.

[mclay18]

Originally Posted by FilmNerdJamie

There won't be any "Godfather" position for Whedon because he was basically another hired-gun doing what his bosses upstairs told him to do like all the other Marvel Studios directors.

I'd say Whedon had a bit more leeway than the previous MS directors. I remember Whedon saying that Marvel gave him a list of what to follow (action scenes, who lives/dies and certain character beats), but he said that other than that they let him do his thing. And he seemed to enjoy that, he's not the kind of director to beat around the bush.

But I think with the film's massive success, Whedon will probably have a bit more leverage. (Even if he does have a sequel clause for Avengers 2 or whatever.)

[DoomsdayApex]

Originally Posted by Marvin

Another question is, how is the inclusion of TDKR trailer before Avengers affecting anything. Is it helping the numbers as some have said, is it stealing all of Avengers buzz as others have said. I personally hear nothing but Avengers talk at work and school by people coming out of TA.

There's a reason why Box Office predictors are now suggesting that TDKR will make over 180 million OW. The new trailer and prologue received overwhelming praise. However, a trailer is just a trailer. The Avengers has the attention right now, and rightfully so.

Impressive numbers by The Avengers, by the way. Let's see what Saturday has in store.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by mclay18

I'd say Whedon had a bit more leeway than the previous MS directors. I remember Whedon saying that Marvel gave him a list of what to follow (action scenes, who lives/dies and certain character beats), but he said that other than that they let him do his thing. And he seemed to enjoy that, he's not the kind of director to beat around the bush.

Yes, but Whedon also wrote the film himself.

Obviously, he'd have more leeway than a director who only directed.

[Marvin]

This is true
not sure how many marvel directors(even if they could) would be allowed to do such a thing

[rayc1971]

80 millon on friday now predict 185 mill opening weekend.i said between 185 and 200 mill ow.this is the first mega team up movie no way it was going to do 150 like some predicted.now i think darknight rises can be the first 200 mill ow.

[rayc1971]

Originally Posted by :eek:

Boxoffice.com is projecting $185 million for the weekend:

Saturday Update: With $80.5 million in the bank on Friday, The Avengers is poised to top the $169.2 million opening weekend record set by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 last July. We are projecting $185 million by the end of the weekend.


As I said before, it probably won't be long until we see a $200 million opening weekend.

i saw avengers doing over 180 mill and i see batman doing 200mill ow

[FilmNerdJamie]

Originally Posted by mclay18

I'd say Whedon had a bit more leeway than the previous MS directors. I remember Whedon saying that Marvel gave him a list of what to follow (action scenes, who lives/dies and certain character beats), but he said that other than that they let him do his thing. And he seemed to enjoy that, he's not the kind of director to beat around the bush.

Whedon also claims the script was all him. So he's not all there in the "truth-telling" department.

[chaseter]

Originally Posted by Iceman

The last time someone said sorry to me in a box office thread the film made $2BN more than the amount I was told was impossible

x3 multipliers are very difficult for films that open this big but possible depending on competition and reception. Both of those are strongly in Avengers' favour so the chance is there.

It won't make $500 domestic. $400 looks to be a lock but $500 is just way too much. This should dominate the box office for the next couple of weeks though. I think it will beat Dark Shadows, The Dictator and Battleship. But, that third weekend it will be toppled.

It should best $1 billion WW though.

If it makes $500 domestic then I will be overly excited but I just don't think it can do it.

[Doctor Jones]

Well I certainly underestimated the OW for Avengers. And I'm glad I did.

[dark_b]

i am scared to go in the bat boards . i have a feeling that some bat fans think that Avengers made so much money because of the batman trailer. any info ?

[venom892]

If they think that they're delusional. Avengers has a ton of hype behind. My screening didn't even have the TDKR trailer.

[Liam_H]

Originally Posted by dark_b

i am scared to go in the bat boards . i have a feeling that some bat fans think that Avengers made so much money because of the batman trailer. any info ?

Lol, no. At least not that I can tell.

[DoomsdayApex]

Originally Posted by Liam_H

Lol, no. At least not that I can tell.

Exactly. No one is claiming that on the Bat Boards.

[dark_b]

thats good.

[DoomsdayApex]

Very impressive. This is precisely why I'm always making cynical statements. Positive always seems to have the opposite effect.

Now, let us hope the numbers stay on track. A 'Money' Mayweather fight is on PPV tonight.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by dark_b

thats good.

If you miss th idiocy, we could role play:

"Avengers is obviously only making so much money because Batman fans want its defeat to be even more crushing when TDKR makes twice as much. "

[Hush]

I didn't get Spiderman or The Hobbit on my first two viewings of this, hell I didn't get Batman the first time. I got ****ing Frankenweenie and Brave along with Battleship. Stupid. They're were some big groans in my theater when our last preview was Brave.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Hush

I didn't get Spiderman or The Hobbit on my first two viewings of this, hell I didn't get Batman the first time. I got ****ing Frankenweenie and Brave along with Battleship. Stupid. They're were some big groans in my theater when our last preview was Brave.

Yeah, same here.

It was stupid ****.

[HighFivingMF]

Originally Posted by Hush

I didn't get Spiderman or The Hobbit on my first two viewings of this, hell I didn't get Batman the first time. I got ****ing Frankenweenie and Brave along with Battleship. Stupid. They're were some big groans in my theater when our last preview was Brave.

Everyone liked the Brave trailer in my theater.