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

[CConn]

The dancing is a direct result of the symbiote, so that wouldn't have been there without studio interference. As for the rest of it, we don't know. Vulture didn't require as much time to set up as Venom, so there could have been more time to reconcile Harry & Peter without him. Also it is possible that Raimi just half-assed the whole thing because he was pissed off about the studio interference.

We will never know what things would have been like had the studio not forced Venom down his throat. Maybe it still would have been a mess, maybe not.

It's dumb that Raimi even had to consider it as being forced down us throat.

If I was directing Spider-Man, and the studio said I had to do Venom, I'd be "Really? Awesome. I'll make it work."

Not ***** out because I didn't get to use Vulture instead.

 

[Avenger]

Horrible miscasting. Sure he could have done something else but yeah

You're right, it was horrible miscasting.

Topher Grace should have played Spider-Man.

 

[Boom]

It's dumb that Raimi even had to consider it as being forced down us throat.

If I was directing Spider-Man, and the studio said I had to do Venom, I'd be "Really? Awesome. I'll make it work."

Not ***** out because I didn't get to use Vulture instead.

 

[Avenger]

It's dumb that Raimi even had to consider it as being forced down us throat.

If I was directing Spider-Man, and the studio said I had to do Venom, I'd be "Really? Awesome. I'll make it work."

Not ***** out because I didn't get to use Vulture instead.

Haha. Amen.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Not ***** out because I didn't get to use Vulture instead.

That's pretty much what led to the cancellation of Spider-Man 4 as well.

Among many reasons, the choice of villain was the breaking point between Raimi and the studio. Raimi insisted on Vulture but Sony wanted a more marketable/popular villain, and at this point, it's pretty clear Lizard was the villain Sony had in mind (hence his inclusion in the reboot).

I've always maintained that if Raimi just relented and used the Lizard, Spider-Man 4 probably would have gotten made. He even had Dylan Baker waiting in the wings for the past two films.

 

[EternalMaster]

Not in my theatre. Loudest applause i've ever heard for a trailer. Then again, those same people went(almost) equally as ape***** for the amazing spider-man trailer and that doesn't have nearly the same buzz.

Sounds like your audience was just really happy. Did everyone go nuts when the "please silence your cell phones message" came up?

 

[venom892]

That's pretty much what led to the cancellation of Spider-Man 4 as well.

Among many reasons, the choice of villain was the breaking point between Raimi and the studio. Raimi insisted on Vulture but Sony wanted a more marketable/popular villain, and at this point, it's pretty clear Lizard was the villain Sony had in mind (hence his inclusion in the reboot).

I've always maintained that if Raimi just relented and used the Lizard, Spider-Man 4 probably would have gotten made. He even had Dylan Baker waiting in the wings for the past two films.

and honestly his ideas for Vulture were piss poor. I'm really happy we're getting this reboot instead of SM4.

 

[Iceman]

$60m Saturday early PM estimates.

 

[CConn]

You're right, it was horrible miscasting.

Topher Grace should have played Spider-Man.

I just rewatched SM2 and the more I watch Tobey's Spider-Man, the more I hate it.

God, he's just so whiny and downright uncomfortable all the time. I don't blame Magure, as he's definitely a good actor, but the combo of him and Raimi together just did not make for a good interpretation of Spider-Man as a character, IMO.

Conversely, I'm pretty sure I like every single character in the Avengers as much, if not more than their counterparts.

 

[Iceman]

Friday should be above $60m without midnights so Saturday could easily be revised up to $70m IMO.

 

[Darthkush]

Sounds like your audience was just really happy. Did everyone go nuts when the "please silence your cell phones message" came up?

Well...they were happier than an regular audience. When I saw Avengers today for the second time, most of the jokes and moments in the film played well but during midnight, EVERYTHING played well. Also, the midnight folks booed battleship and a couple booed frankenweenie. Brave got a mild clapping. My 2nd viewing had no reaction to any trailers except a handful of exciting chatter during dark knight rises trailer.

 

[mclay18]

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

True, like that bit you mentioned. I'm pretty sure Whedon used some of the story beats from Penn's drafts, but he tried to offload it as it being something Marvel wanted in the notes anyway. But usually when he tries to avoid a certain topic, he'll say something witty or vague to skirt away from it.

But he was able to control more than, say, John Favreau did with Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Not a whole lot more, but there you go.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

I know. The Indy 4 comment was also worthy.

Indy 4 was very successful. It just wasn't the biggest film of the year as predicted by most. A possible parallel for TDKR.

 

[Tony Stark]

TDKR has too much goodwill to be anything other than a success.

It will be a success, it will likely not be the biggest film of the year though. I won't totally rule that out happening because these records are practically meaningless now since no film can seemingly hold on to it for more than a year or so.

That's probably what's so impressive about Spider-man 1 as it held the record for 4 years, which is longer than anyone else has at this point.

 

[CConn]

Indy 4 was very successful. It just wasn't the biggest film of the year as predicted by most. A possible parallel for TDKR.

Except Indy 4 sucked.

I'd only expect TDKR to achieve similar results if it ends up sucking too.

 

[CConn]

It will be a success, it will likely not be the biggest film of the year though. I won't totally rule that out happening because these records are practically meaningless now since no film can seemingly hold on to it for more than a year or so.

That's probably what's so impressive about Spider-man 1 as it held the record for 4 years, which is longer than anyone else has at this point.

B89 held the title of highest grossing comic book movie for 13 years.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Indy 4 was very successful. It just wasn't the biggest film of the year as predicted by most. A possible parallel for TDKR.

How?

It's not July 20th yet. Was Deathly Hallows Pt.2 a parallel of Indy 4 just because it was predicted to be a big movie? No. It still made a killing and the critics loved it.

The prologue and new trailer were greeted with beaming acclamation. So I really don't follow your comparison.

 

[Liam_H]

Never realized a Batman movie has set the opening weekend record four times since the original Burton film.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I just rewatched SM2 and the more I watch Tobey's Spider-Man, the more I hate it.

God, he's just so whiny and downright uncomfortable all the time. I don't blame Magure, as he's definitely a good actor, but the combo of him and Raimi together just did not make for a good interpretation of Spider-Man as a character, IMO.
.

You just now realized this? I've felt this way since I saw Spider-man (2002).

I hate Maguire's wide eyed zombie stare and constant dumbfounded bewilderment the most.

He's either lost puppy or a deer in headlights. There was no reason to admire Peter Parker and Spider-man is humorless and wooden.

How people can claim Raimi deeply understood Spider-man is beyond me.

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

It's dumb that Raimi even had to consider it as being forced down us throat.

If I was directing Spider-Man, and the studio said I had to do Venom, I'd be "Really? Awesome. I'll make it work."

Not ***** out because I didn't get to use Vulture instead.

Couldn't have said it better. I really liked SM2, but after SM3 I have no appetite for Raimi or what he has to offer. Suck it up or take a stand.

And the Green Goblin should be as memorable as the Joker on screen. Willem Dafoe is an actor with an incredibly expressive face. It can epitomize creepiness. So why would you go and incase it in plastic as the Goblin?? I will never understand that decision.

This new Webb series looks fantastic. Great to see web-shooters, applied science accuman and WISECRACKING. So it may be a blessing long term.

 

[The Morningstar]

Yea decision to cover up Dafoe face, which ironically looks like a goblin anyway, has always baffled me.

It's not coincidence that the creepiest part of that film is when he is in his mansion talking to the mirror.

They could have done his face like the Orcs in LOTR and the masks in Mission Impossible. A proper prosthetic, but just use movie magic to make it seem like a mask.

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

The good news is the Goblin is pretty much a gaurantee for this new series. They can right the wrongs of the last Goblin incarnation and do the new one justice, make him MEMORABLE. Prosthetics is definitely the way I would go.

 

[The Morningstar]

Ehhh how much you wanna bet they turn him into that god awful Hulk Goblin from the Ultimate comics?

 

[SoNicRaDiATioN]

Ehhh how much you wanna bet they turn him into that god awful Hulk Goblin from the Ultimate comics?

Ha, that would definitely be the straw that breaks my back...

I'm actually more then confident that this will NOT happen thankfully. I think they know what's up with that.

 

[:eek:]

The Hunger Games Approved for Early June Release in China
Source: Lionsgate
May 6, 2012



Lionsgate announced today that The Hunger Games, which has already grossed nearly $620 million at the worldwide box office, has been approved for release in China in the first half of June.

The film will be released nationwide in China with both dubbed and subtitled prints by The China Film Group in conjunction with Lionsgate's promotional partner, Talent International. The Hunger Games will be one of the first Hollywood studio films to be released in China under the new blockbuster revenue sharing agreement announced in February that allows Western distributors to collect up to 25% of a film's receipts in China.

"'The Hunger Games' juggernaut continues to gain momentum around the world, and we're thrilled that we can now share the exciting first installment of 'The Hunger Games' franchise with Chinese moviegoers in June," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman. "China is already one of the leading territories at the international box office, and the launch of 'The Hunger Games' in this key market is another sign of the franchise's continuing emergence as a truly global phenomenon."

The Hunger Games has already grossed more than $380 million at the North American box office where it ranks 13th among the highest-grossing films of all time. It has grossed nearly $620 million worldwide with upcoming launches in China and Japan.

"We view China as an increasingly important market for our content in Asia," said Wendy Reeds, Executive Vice President of Content Sales & Distribution for Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE), Lionsgate's venture with Saban Capital Group and Astro's Celestial Pictures in Asia. "The Chinese box office grew by more than 30% last year to over $2 billion, and The Hunger Games' approval for nationwide release in China is a major step in translating the enormous commercial potential of this huge market into reality."