Birds of Prey BoP Box Office Thread

[chamber-music]

Is there really that many teenage boys/twenty something men out there who are going to see R rated movies for nudity when they have access to porn?

I sort of feel the days of guys primarily seeing a Hollywood movie because an actress gets naked is a thing of the past.

 

[Madam-Shogun]

To be fair, not everyone watches porn. And probably prefer their TnA in mainstream media. Sex appeal has kinda been stigmatized, there's a reason why 50 shades was popular. Just sayin

 

[MadVillainy]

To be fair, not everyone watches porn. And probably prefer their TnA in mainstream media. Sex appeal has kinda been stigmatized, there's a reason why 50 shades was popular. Just sayin

Not everyone but a lot of men and people attracted to women do.
Selling people to see a movie in theaters based on sex and seeing actresses or actors naked isnt a good idea. Sure 50 Shades sold but that was largely marketed and sold to straight women who, stereotypically, are more shy about watching the pron. The average guy don't really care

The internet is out there. The future is now

 

[Silver Surfer]

Is there really that many teenage boys/twenty something men out there who are going to see R rated movies for nudity when they have access to porn?

I sort of feel the days of guys primarily seeing a Hollywood movie because an actress gets naked is a thing of the past.

I don't know man, guys are still guys. Just look at the reaction to that episode of True Detective Season 1.

 

[Omegabat]

What is wrong with assuming that she has some background that allowed her to develop those skills? There is plenty we already suspend belief for.

That's not the point. This isn't about skills and powers. Batman didn't just wake up one day and become a superhero. His skills and training and devotion are rooted in his trauma and backstory. High school gymnastics dont even compare. I accept them making Harley some sex appeal icon and female empowerment symbol. I have no problem with her moving on. However she's not an action character. No person is going to turn to watch a John Wick style film led by a crazy girl who wields a bat and wears silly clothes. They can make her a great fighter and give her awesome sequences but there is a fundamental disconnect between genres here. There's a reason why gritty action heroes have guns, muscles and darker clothing.

 

[Madam-Shogun]

Not everyone but a lot of men and people attracted to women do.
Selling people to see a movie in theaters based on sex and seeing actresses or actors naked isnt a good idea. Sure 50 Shades sold but that was largely marketed and sold to straight women who, stereotypically, are more shy about watching the pron. The average guy don't really care

The internet is out there. The future is now

I didn't say sex, I was talking sex appeal. And telling people to go watch porn ls missing the point.

 

[-JKR-]

That's not the point. This isn't about skills and powers. Batman didn't just wake up one day and become a superhero. His skills and training and devotion are rooted in his trauma and backstory. High school gymnastics dont even compare. I accept them making Harley some sex appeal icon and female empowerment symbol. I have no problem with her moving on. However she's not an action character. No person is going to turn to watch a John Wick style film led by a crazy girl who wields a bat and wears silly clothes. They can make her a great fighter and give her awesome sequences but there is a fundamental disconnect between genres here. There's a reason why gritty action heroes have guns, muscles and darker clothing.

Their loss.

 

[Micromind]

However she's not an action character. No person is going to turn to watch a John Wick style film led by a crazy girl who wields a bat and wears silly clothes.

Harley Quinn is very much an action character in a loony toons type of action.

 

[shinlyle]

I think that R rating hurt it pretty badly. I mean, it caused me to be unable to take my 11 year old to see it, which would have caused me to drag my wife and son there, too...so there's 4 tickets lost.

I told my daughter it didn't make a lot, and she said, "Good! Maybe next time they will get Harley right!"

I told her that they probably got Harley right, they just didn't make it for kids...and this means the studio will just assume that no one wants a Birds of Prey or Harley Quinn movie...because that's how Holly wood thinks.

Besides, there's still a chance it'll make that money on the back end. It just won't be crazy Joker money.

 

[-JKR-]

I think that R rating hurt it pretty badly. I mean, it caused me to be unable to take my 11 year old to see it, which would have caused me to drag my wife and son there, too...so there's 4 tickets lost.

I told my daughter it didn't make a lot, and she said, "Good! Maybe next time they will get Harley right!"

I told her that they probably got Harley right, they just didn't make it for kids...and this means the studio will just assume that no one wants a Birds of Prey or Harley Quinn movie...because that's how Holly wood thinks.

Besides, there's still a chance it'll make that money on the back end. It just won't be crazy Joker money.

You could've brought your 11 year old anyway if you wanted to. At that age I had already seen plenty of R-rated action movies.

No, the R-rating didn't hurt it, just as it didn't hurt Deadpool.

The studio should have marketed it MORE and in a more unique way. Lots of people don't even know this exists.

 

[Omegabat]

Harley Quinn is very much an action character in a loony toons type of action.

For committing gimmicky crimes sure. As someone who engages in missions with mercs and fights criminals...yeah no.

 

[shinlyle]

You could've brought your 11 year old anyway if you wanted to. At that age I had already seen plenty of R-rated action movies.

No, the R-rating didn't hurt it, just as it didn't hurt Deadpool.

The studio should have marketed it MORE and in a more unique way. Lots of people don't even know this exists.

Eh...I had a buddy of mine who said there was a very Weistein-esque scene I probably shouldn't show my daughter...so I'll just hold out on that one. She isn't allowed to watch R-Rated movies yet...maybe in a few years.

I don't think it hurt Deadpool because Deadpool had a heavy marketing push...more than a few people I talked to didn't know BoP was even out. That hurt it more than anything.

EDIT: Also, when you have a cartoon called "DC Super Hero Girls" which features a kid-friendly version of Harley and company, and here comes a movie those same kids can't watch, you kind of shoot yourself in the foot. I think that's why Marvel toes the line on their films. Not that Joker and Deadpool and Logan don't rock with that R on there...!

 

[-JKR-]

That's my point. The problem is mainly the movie's weak marketing push, not the rating.

 

[shinlyle]

That's my point. The problem is mainly the movie's weak marketing push, not the rating.

Truth. They should have had some Deadpool level fourth wall breaking marketing...it would have made a substantial difference. Maybe even some in-jokes about how it's really a Harley Quinn movie, too.

 

[-JKR-]

Eh...I had a buddy of mine who said there was a very Weistein-esque scene I probably shouldn't show my daughter...so I'll just hold out on that one. She isn't allowed to watch R-Rated movies yet...maybe in a few years.

I don't think it hurt Deadpool because Deadpool had a heavy marketing push...more than a few people I talked to didn't know BoP was even out. That hurt it more than anything.

EDIT: Also, when you have a cartoon called "DC Super Hero Girls" which features a kid-friendly version of Harley and company, and here comes a movie those same kids can't watch, you kind of shoot yourself in the foot. I think that's why Marvel toes the line on their films. Not that Joker and Deadpool and Logan don't rock with that R on there...!

But again, both Deadpool and Logan have had kid friendly appearances, as well.

And teenagers can and do watch R-rated movies in theaters, by going with their parents or whatever.

I really don't think the rating is the point. They probably just should have communicated with the audience more and have the cast have more high profile TV appearances.

The main problem I got from this is that many people genuinely don't know this is out. Because the majority of the people who actually did watch It in theaters enjoyed it, so no, this shouldn't have been another movie, while the rest either have no clue or thinks its going to be yet another "woke movie" such as Charlie's Angels which has NOTHING going for it other than "we women cool, now we fight you puny asses."

 

[Micromind]

For committing gimmicky crimes sure. As someone who engages in missions with mercs and fights criminals...yeah no.

In her mind, Harley thinks that she can fight anyone, does it matter to her who she's fighting against ? I would say no, as long as she thinks she is doing the right thing in her own self interest.

Edit: In Suicide Squad, it's upto Amanda Waller to decide which missions fit her talents.

 

[MadVillainy]

Truth. They should have had some Deadpool level fourth wall breaking marketing...it would have made a substantial difference. Maybe even some in-jokes about how it's really a Harley Quinn movie, too.

That's what I'm saying

 

[Erik20]

There were plenty of empty seats at my theatre on a Saturday evening, so I'm not surprised it's not doing so well. I also thought the movie just wasn't that good...

I hope people are not trying to blame this on "guys not accepting female superheroes," like they did with Charlie's Angels... that's just a weak and lame excuse. Make a great movie and everyone will go see it

 

[MahvelBaby!]

It's all in the marketing imo.

This has nothing to do with it being a female led film, Black Widow & WW84 will prove that when they make oodles of money.

I don't even think the rating is to blame.

 

[Invader Joker]

To be fair, not everyone watches porn. And probably prefer their TnA in mainstream media. Sex appeal has kinda been stigmatized, there's a reason why 50 shades was popular. Just sayin

There are two types of people: People that watch porn and people that lie about it.

This is especially true with teenage boys.

That being said, women prefer softcore porn for whatever reason, hence 50 shades.

 

[writer0327]

There were plenty of empty seats at my theatre on a Saturday evening, so I'm not surprised it's not doing so well. I also thought the movie just wasn't that good...

I hope people are not trying to blame this on "guys not accepting female superheroes," like they did with Charlie's Angels... that's just a weak and lame excuse. Make a great movie and everyone will go see it

That's exactly what some have said, even though WW did great numbers and most guys liked it, and Black Widow will likely cross $1B.

Who was the target audience? And did McGregor saying "this is a feminist film" hurt?

 

[Invader Joker]

I'm gonna add another angle to the sex appeal argument:
Maybe this movie needed more sex... but not for men, but for women.

Most movies and TV shows famous for having a mostly-female audience have super hot guys in their movies (50 Shades, Twilight, TV Shows like Gossip Girl) and heck, even in superhero movies, we all know how crazy women went for Jason Momoa.

So maybe this movie needed a hot guy somewhere in the movie. Who? No idea.

 

[MahvelBaby!]

Jared Leto? lol

 

[Invader Joker]

I mean, I did notice that a lot of chicks in the general audience that liked Harley, also loved the look of Jared as Joker and their relationship...

But nah, not necessarily him, just someone for Harley to **** at some point in the movie.

 

[SomeOldGuy]

But again, both Deadpool and Logan have had kid friendly appearances, as well.

And teenagers can and do watch R-rated movies in theaters, by going with their parents or whatever.

I really don't think the rating is the point. They probably just should have communicated with the audience more and have the cast have more high profile TV appearances.

The main problem I got from this is that many people genuinely don't know this is out. Because the majority of the people who actually did watch It in theaters enjoyed it, so no, this shouldn't have been another movie, while the rest either have no clue or thinks its going to be yet another "woke movie" such as Charlie's Angels which has NOTHING going for it other than "we women cool, now we fight you puny asses."

While I don’t disagree with anything here, I think the main problem is the framing that there’s a problem. Comic book movies get treated differently by Hollywood and the film trades. You know what else cost $97 million to make and made $31.4 million on its opening weekend? Ford V. Ferrari. Almost exactly the same numbers as BoP, but if you go back and look at Deadline then, there’s no “Ford V. Ferrari hits the wall” or “blows a gasket” headlines or anything like that. Instead, it’s heralded as a major success.

‘Ford v Ferrari’ Wins Box Office With $31M+, ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Fails With $8M – Deadline

BoP makes the same numbers and it’s a train wreck. Why? Well, because comic book films aren’t seen as having any artistic value (remember, they’ve not “cinema”!). And the coverage reflects that. Ford V. Ferrari is allowed to be a financial dud because it’s deemed a work of art, “the kind of film Hollywood doesn’t make any more,” etc. BoP’s only job In Hollywood’s eyes was to make money, and since it won’t, or only make very little relatively speaking, it’s a flop.

I think we as fans get caught up in this framing because a film making lots of money is the easiest way to validate what we like. But we shouldn’t; we’re adopting the framing of people who hate what we like. We need to stop doing this.