Rise of the Silver Surfer BOX OFFICE Discussion

[Carp Man]

Weekend actuals are in :

FF 2 :
Domestic: $130,788,105 54.2%+ Foreign: $110,715,843 45.8%= Worldwide: $241,503,948

TSM :
Domestic: $152,381,993 44.5%+ Foreign: $189,954,253 55.5%= Worldwide: $342,336,246

TF's :
Domestic: $302,869,658 47.9%+ Foreign: $328,860,014 52.1%= Worldwide: $631,729,672

HP5 :
Domestic: $272,047,388 33.1%+ Foreign: $550,000,000 66.9%= Worldwide: $822,047,388

$ 17 million ahead of HP 1. Looks like HP5 will beat HP 4. Only $ 18 million behind. It may mot beat 1, but it will beat the other 3.

 

[Carp Man]

Just added it up. The 5 HP movies have made $ 4,357,244,379 in WW sales. $ $ 871,448,876 / movie. 55 % to the studio is $ 2,396,484,409, plus book sales, plus DVD sales, plus toys, plus product tie ins. It's the most suscesufull franchise ever. I don't care how many Pirates, or Spider-Man movies they make, nothing will ever touch HP.And Rowling has total creative control ? No ****. She's the goose that is laying the golden egg. And what's amazing is 5 movies, 5 different directors.

 

[Malus]

I wonder how a Fantastic Four franchise that takes place in the 60's would do? I don't think it would do well at all.

I think not setting at least the initial film in 1961 was one of the first -and one of the largest- wrong turns Fox made with the FF. The quintessential FF as envisioned by Lee & Kirby was uniquely a product of its time, more so I think than any other superhero property with the exception of HULK. The cold war space race, their origin's inextricable relationship to rogue radiation; hell, the central characters' motivation that led to getting irradiated, for God's sake...all that was lost.
The Indiana Jones films,The Rocketeer and The Iron Giant all worked just fine being set in the past. I know very few will agree with me, but look at it this way: They wouldn't have had to change one single thing in the origins of the FF or the Hulk. Everything could have remained faithful and intact. And a lot of fun could have been had with the period setting.

Sue's status early on as perepetual damsel in distress is about the only thing I'd change. But even that could have provided a lot of fun, showing Sue Storm bucking the attitudes of the time.

All I know is if there's ever by some miracle a Pixar Fantastic Four, I hope and pray they go with a retro setting.

 

[highguard]

.........

All I know is if there's ever by some miracle a Pixar Fantastic Four, I hope and pray they go with a retro setting.

Well that is a miracle we will probably never see. If the rights ever lapsed Marvel would do the movies themselves.

And that is probably as it should be.

 

[Carp Man]

Well that is a miracle we will probably never see. If the rights ever lapsed Marvel would do the movies themselves.

And that is probably as it should be.

We agree there. The franchise some way, some how has to be pulled away from Fox, and don't know how that will happen, or if it ever will. I think any true fan if they had the means would love to pull it away from Fox. I know I would in a heart beat. Give the franchise to someone who would apprecate it. It's the first and greatest of the Marvel franchises. I don't care about Spider-Man. FF paved the way.

 

[Kelly]

I think not setting at least the initial film in 1961 was one of the first -and one of the largest- wrong turns Fox made with the FF. The quintessential FF as envisioned by Lee & Kirby was uniquely a product of its time, more so I think than any other superhero property with the exception of HULK. The cold war space race, their origin's inextricable relationship to rogue radiation; hell, the central characters' motivation that led to getting irradiated, for God's sake...all that was lost.
The Indiana Jones films,The Rocketeer and The Iron Giant all worked just fine being set in the past. I know very few will agree with me, but look at it this way: They wouldn't have had to change one single thing in the origins of the FF or the Hulk. Everything could have remained faithful and intact. And a lot of fun could have been had with the period setting.

Sue's status early on as perepetual damsel in distress is about the only thing I'd change. But even that could have provided a lot of fun, showing Sue Storm bucking the attitudes of the time.

All I know is if there's ever by some miracle a Pixar Fantastic Four, I hope and pray they go with a retro setting.

I'm only speaking for me, but had it been set in the 60's, I wouldn't have been interested, and I can probably speak for quite a few of my students in saying, they wouldn't have given it their money.

 

[Carp Man]

I'm only speaking for me, but had it been set in the 60's, I wouldn't have been interested, and I can probably speak for quite a few of my students in saying, they wouldn't have given it their money.

I agree, beating the commies into space would have been very dated, and kids just wouldn't get it, but, you could keep the original story, and updated it to today. The story of the origin of the FF worked then, and would work now. Just bring the story, unchanged into the 21st century, with 21st century technology. In the Corman film it wasn't about beating the commies into space, it was to continue the work Reed, and Victor started 10 years earlier, harnessing the power of colosis. In the Corman film the 1st 30 minutes was the origin story.

 

[Kelly]

I agree, beating the commies into space would have been very dated, and kids just wouldn't get it, but, you could keep the original story, and updated it to today. The story of the origin of the FF worked then, and would work now. Just bring the story, unchanged into the 21st century, with 21st century technology.

Sue an actress, and her kid brother Johnny stows away? hmmmmm, not buying that. Sue a reporter, and keep her brother a pilot? hmmmmmm, maybe.


And Sue's "Reed Save Me", attitude, would have made me puke.

 

[Carp Man]

Sue an actress, and her kid brother Johnny stows away? hmmmmm, not buying that. Sue a reporter, and keep her brother a pilot? hmmmmmm, maybe.


And Sue's "Reed Save Me", attitude, would have made me puke.

I said the origin story intact. What you chose to do after that, ok bring it up to date, but I'm talking strictly the origin story. That would work today unchanged with the exception of beating the commies into space. Ben and Reed in college together. Victor and Reed working on harnessing collosis. The accident, that turned Victor into Dr. Doom. The 4 going into space to conntinue to try to harness colosis. The cosmic rays that changed them to the FF. Bring all that forward, unchanged, and it would have worked better, then the mish mash of an origin story they gave us.

 

[Advanced Dark]

International is 123 million Carpy. Get with the program.

 

[highguard]

....

Would holding to the source material have helped that......not sure? A humanoid Galactus? not sure? One thing I am sure of.......they would have gone to see the movie several times had the action been there......the eye sequence was "meh" to them.....nothing special.....they liked the final battle, and they wanted more of that.....

Yeah, it seems that what has emerged with the comic book movies is that you really have to try real hard to be faithful to the source material.

In hindsight it now seems obvious that if you are going to stray too far you should do what Pixar did with the incredibles change the characters and call it something else. And Pixar did not even have to pay for those rights, much.

Which reminds me Malus that Pixar already did their FF movie, it was called the incredibles, lol.

If there had been no Galactus in the comics we would not have cared about the confusion on screen but because we knew there was and what he looked like it was like ok what is this, is it a better presentation.

Its like someone coming home one day and telling you that your parents have been switched but your new ones are really nice people. They still are not your parents.

Cloudactus was impressive but we wanted to see Kirby Galactus.

Oh by the way Albafan can you ask the kids if they were aware of what the true Galactus looked like and if this affected their enjoyment of the film.



Also on a very sad note, Mike Weiringo who worked with Mark Waid on that famous Authoritative FF run passed away from a heart attack yesterday.

You will be missed Ringo.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=281678

 

[Kelly]

A few last year knew of Galactus, from the cartoon....but very few. A couple knew of the Ultimate version. They actually in general, know very little of the F4. They know Thing, and thats pretty much it. They thought the look of the cloud was cool, but they kept thinking there was something more....they liked the ending fine, but there was alot missing up until that time as far as action.

 

[Kelly]

I said the origin story intact. What you chose to do after that, ok bring it up to date, but I'm talking strictly the origin story. That would work today unchanged with the exception of beating the commies into space. Ben and Reed in college together. Victor and Reed working on harnessing collosis. The accident, that turned Victor into Dr. Doom. The 4 going into space to conntinue to try to harness colosis. The cosmic rays that changed them to the FF. Bring all that forward, unchanged, and it would have worked better, then the mish mash of an origin story they gave us.

You would have to either recast Reed or Ben, theres way too much difference in the "look" of their ages to be in college together, IMO. Theres 9 years in their age difference as is....and it shows on screen. Maybe if Ben had been in the army or something before attending college, then you could pull that off. But in order to realistically get all 4 into space, IMO you would have to change some things. To me the only thing you would need to bring from the original comic is how Victor and Reed worked together. Other than that, it was fine.

 

[Malus]

Also on a very sad note, Mike Weiringo who worked with Mark Waid on that famous Authoritative FF run passed away from a heart attack yesterday.
You will be missed Ringo.
http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=281678

Yes, that's very, very sad news.
I just got through reading the Spiderman/FF mini-series he drew this year. Great stuff.
Mike really brought something new to the table visually with Ben Grimm without betraying tradition. No small accomplishment.

It's a big loss for comics.

 

[Carp Man]

International is 123 million Carpy. Get with the program.

Since I no longer have a sig, I'll get it when it comes out on Mojo.

 

[Carp Man]

You would have to either recast Reed or Ben, theres way too much difference in the "look" of their ages to be in college together, IMO. Theres 9 years in their age difference as is....and it shows on screen. Maybe if Ben had been in the army or something before attending college, then you could pull that off. But in order to realistically get all 4 into space, IMO you would have to change some things. To me the only thing you would need to bring from the original comic is how Victor and Reed worked together. Other than that, it was fine.

You wouldn't have to recast. They can do amazing things with makeup. And hey, older people go to college also. So the age thing is not as big a difference as it may seem. I'm 52 and went back to college, and have made some friends there who are a bit younger than I am. So It's not as farfetched as you may think. The age difference between Ben and Reed is not a big deal. They very well could have been in college together. If they relaunch, do the original origin story. It worked 46 years ago, and would work today.

 

[highguard]

A few last year knew of Galactus, from the cartoon....but very few. A couple knew of the Ultimate version. They actually in general, know very little of the F4. They know Thing, and thats pretty much it. They thought the look of the cloud was cool, but they kept thinking there was something more....they liked the ending fine, but there was alot missing up until that time as far as action.

I see, so the lack of Thing action would hurt the movie for them.

Hmmm, yeah I can see that, thing is like a poor man's hulk and everyone loves the big strong guy as a kid.

Personally my favorite as a kid was the Torch but Richards grew on me as I got older. I was always fascinated by the craggy look of the thing however and I just adore what Joe Sinnot meant to his look.

Now Sue was always kind of Maternal for me.

Crystal on the other hand, she had a very easy look.

I still want to smash Pietro for stealing Johnny's girl.

 

[highguard]

Yes, that's very, very sad news.
I just got through reading the Spiderman/FF mini-series he drew this year. Great stuff.
Mike really brought something new to the table visually with Ben Grimm without betraying tradition. No small accomplishment.

It's a big loss for comics.

Yeah, here today, gone tomorrow, yeah sad, sad stuff this life can be.

 

[GL's Light]

I was very saddened to hear of 'Ringo's death. He was one of my favorite artists, having done stellar work on Flash and Fantastic Four with Mark Waid. By all accounts he was one of the nicest guys in comics too. RIP, 'Ringo.

 

[Kelly]

You wouldn't have to recast. They can do amazing things with makeup. And hey, older people go to college also. So the age thing is not as big a difference as it may seem. I'm 52 and went back to college, and have made some friends there who are a bit younger than I am. So It's not as farfetched as you may think. The age difference between Ben and Reed is not a big deal. They very well could have been in college together. If they relaunch, do the original origin story. It worked 46 years ago, and would work today.

Which is why I said they could have him going to college late in life....

Ya know sometimes Carpy I really wonder if you actually read my posts....lol

 

[Iron Maiden]

Yes, that's very, very sad news.
I just got through reading the Spiderman/FF mini-series he drew this year. Great stuff.
Mike really brought something new to the table visually with Ben Grimm without betraying tradition. No small accomplishment.

It's a big loss for comics.

What I liked about his stuff is that it didn't look all "Photoshop-y" like some artists I could name. I know I gave him a little grief on my other board because I did think his stuff was a bit too cartoon-y for my tastes but I did grow to appreciate it. To think his the last issue of his Spider-Man/Fantastic Four series a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure he might have some other unpublished stuff due out in a couple of months.

Malus, I do own an inked page of Karl Kesel's from Wieringo's FF #500. Do you think we should add some Wieringo stuff to the memorabilia thread? I also got that signed copy of Waid and Wieringo's first FF issue that Dynamic Forces was hustling on the Home Shopping Channel

 

[Carp Man]

Monday estimates :

TSM :
Domestic: $153,957,000 39.6%+ Foreign: $235,153,763 60.4%= Worldwide: $389,110,763

HP5 :
Domestic: $272,822,000 33.2%+ Foreign: $550,000,000 66.8%= Worldwide: $822,822,000

TF's :
Domestic: $303,305,000 47.9%+ Foreign: $329,412,857 52.1%= Worldwide: $632,717,857

SM3 :
Worldwide: $890,065,018

Pirates :
Worldwide: $954,703,347

Looks like it will be :
Pirates
SM 3
HP5
TF's
for the summer and prob year of 07 Worldwide.
The big surprise for me this summer next to FF 2's underperformance is Transformers performance. I thought it would do 200 dom, 400 to 450 WW. 300, and 300, wow. Tip of the cap to Bay, and Spielberg.

 

[megatron01]

Carp:
I liked FF2, too. I'm not sure why it underperformed. Any news on the sequel?

 

[Kelly]

Carp:
I liked FF2, too. I'm not sure why it underperformed. Any news on the sequel?

We probably won't hear anything until all results are in, including DVD sales.

 

[highguard]

What I liked about his stuff is that it didn't look all "Photoshop-y" like some artists I could name. I know I gave him a little grief on my other board because I did think his stuff was a bit too cartoon-y for my tastes but I did grow to appreciate it. ...........

Yeah his stuff grew on me as well. Recently in looking at the Spiderman/FF crossover I was reminded of Steve Ditko. They both had a style that was quirky, unique and full of energy, different but a style that worked.

His work on the heaven storyline with the return of the Thing will for me be one of the defining moments in comic books for me.

My mom always used to ask me why the comic books never talked about God but had so many gods, she was very wary of them. I used to tell her that it was all fiction and that they did not really mean that Thor was like a god, that it is just what they called him as we are sometimes called gods in the Jewish Torah.

Mom would warily examine my fascination with the comic books, looking for any negative influences. For this reason I was always hoping that they would clarify the concept of God within the marvel universe and from time to time they did. One time my favorite individual hero Thor said that even the power of Odin pales before the power of Him whose only weapon is love.

And then we have the arc with Waid and Weiringo and their audience with God.

I commend Waid for facing the challenge of presenting God in the Fantastic Four, a comic in which Reed Richards (my favorite member as an adult) would obviously and almost always be cast as a skeptic.

Now it can truly be said that the FF is the worlds greatest comic, it's not every day that a superhero actually gets to go to heaven and meet God.

Take care Ringo, I hope that your own audience is as full of joy and wonder as the art you gave us in that story to top all.