Green Lantern Box Office Prediction Thread - Part 2

[Raiden]

We can't honestly tell you THOR stuck to it's budget? Uhhh buddy they weren't the ones trying to fix VFX at the last minute or switching around the marketing campaign mid-stream.

More Thor bashing. Man that crap gets old.

Yeah, just because WB throws their money around carelessly, doesn't mean Marvel Studio does the same thing. Remember that prior to Disney's acquisition, they had to take a loan out to finance their movies like Iron Man, so the budget had to be kept within estimation. When did WB ever had to borrow a loan to make any of their movies?

 

[Doc Phosphorus]

I think Marvel, in general, has just done a better job with their overall brand name. "MARVEL" seems to have brand recognition that "DC" just doesn't.

I rarely hear people I know refer to DC in any way. Friends and family and other people not "in the know" will ask me things like "Is Batman with Marvel?" or "Is Green Lantern with Marvel?" but never the other way around.

A lot of it has to do with the ancillaries and the merchandising. I always see t-shirts at Walmart and Target that say "Marvel" on it, with pictures of Spider-Man, Cap, Iron Man, Wolverine, etc all standing together. Whenever I see a DC shirt, it's either one particular character or "The Justice League," not the DC Comics brand in general.

 

[Rev]

I doubt it will be just as simple as that, look at Batman Begins or First Class both great flicks but GA didn't really care a whole lot about em'.

Don't get me wrong, the most important thing is the actual quality of the movie but in addition to that you need anticipation, Hype, positive buzz to really crack with the GA. Superman doesn't have that unfortunately, at least not yet.

I do agree that it took some time for the general audience to warm up to Batman Begins due to the horrid taste of Batman and Robin still lingering in their collective consciousness but they obviously warmed up when the film came to DVD which in turn had people wanting a sequel. The Heath Ledger factor just pushed it over the edge resulting in an even bigger win fall for the movie.

Regarding your second point that is very true something that the Dark Knight had going for it. Until we see more and get a better idea of what they are planning to do with Man of Steel, the general audience has not really seen anything that would cause them to invest interest in the character.

I would love to see rival studios take on the DC Comics properties rather than Warner Bros. having the rites to everything. I know this may not be the solution and they could possibly put out crap movies as well but at least we would get to see what other studios could do with the properties.

 

[merced]

I doubt it will be just as simple as that, look at Batman Begins or First Class both great flicks but GA didn't really care a whole lot about em'.

Don't get me wrong, the most important thing is the actual quality of the movie but in addition to that you need anticipation, Hype, positive buzz to really crack with the GA. Superman doesn't have that unfortunately, at least not yet.

I agree. Sadly, MOS doesn't seem to have much if any buzz.

I've read 2 articles recently about 2012 and 2013 comic genre films that didn't mention MOS at all. Guess the authors weren't even aware or, worse, didn't care.

I dunno if Snyder and Nolan can overcome this enough to so that MOS has a fighting chance.

They tried all kinds of PR with SR and the whole thing just sort of collapsed on itself. It didn't work and actually backfired.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Sorry rock sexton it's not Thor bashing.. Man your sensitive.

Nah, it's just gotten old how people keep bringing up it .... it's the worst comparison on just about every level.

 

[Rev]

While the fanboy part of me wants to shake my head and say he "doesn't get it," the rational side of my thinks he has a point. I mean, just look at all those references of failed attempts to catch general audience interest across mediums. Maybe the modern GA just doesn't like live-action DC heroes that much

I think Mark makes an interesting point but the problem does not lie with the DC characters but in how they are brought to life on the big screen. Superman worked because the source material and the character on screen was taken seriously and then eventually went down hill following the character's initial success. The same thing happened with Batman. The General Audience will sit in a theater and watch something mindless if they perceived it to be worth watching. Green Lantern's initial failing at the Domestic Box Office can be blamed on multiple things but not solely because of the character being unrelatable. A bad execution of a good story will still come across as weak and will fail especially when what was promises was not delivered in the eyes of the audience.

 

[Poni_Boy]

I agree. Sadly, MOS doesn't seem to have much if any buzz.

I've read 2 articles recently about 2012 and 2013 comic genre films that didn't mention MOS at all. Guess the authors weren't even aware or, worse, didn't care.

I dunno if Snyder and Nolan can overcome this enough to so that MOS has a fighting chance.

They tried all kinds of PR with SR and the whole thing just sort of collapsed on itself. It didn't work and actually backfired.

On comics book threads I notice a repetitive comparison: Marvel heroes are popular because they are relative to the masses. People can see themselves as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, etc

DC heroes are ones you look up to; set up on a pedestal, if you will. With the mainstream exception of Batman, most heroes aren't believable in the "real world."

... now, this isn't how I view the characters but I do understand the comparison (personally, I can relate to Hal Jordan). If this truly is the case then it's up to the creative team behind the film translations to make them relate-able to the masses.

 

[Rev]

I agree. Sadly, MOS doesn't seem to have much if any buzz.

I've read 2 articles recently about 2012 and 2013 comic genre films that didn't mention MOS at all. Guess the authors weren't even aware or, worse, didn't care.

I dunno if Snyder and Nolan can overcome this enough to so that MOS has a fighting chance.

They tried all kinds of PR with SR and the whole thing just sort of collapsed on itself. It didn't work and actually backfired.

Yeah, I am not sure that even the writers or Bryan Singer knew what Superman was supposed to be. The initial premise of the movie had me stoked for something epic and awesome but rather than being a grand slam, I think I got a double. This probably sums up the feelings toward Green Lantern as well for some.

 

[solidsnake86]

Nah, it's just gotten old how people keep bringing up it .... it's the worst comparison on just about every level.

All I'm saying is that Thor looks like an expensive movie. I'm not bashing the quality of the film. When you look at the set pieces it has asgard, they built a city in the middle of the desert, costume, frost giants, thor flying, the rainbow bridge etc., I have a hard time reconciling that the film cost less than batman begins to make, which Nolan is known for coming in under budget. I think its a good comparison because its 2 characters that had to use CGI.

 

[Rev]

On comics book threads I notice a repetitive comparison: Marvel heroes are popular because they are relative to the masses. People can see themselves as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, etc

DC heroes are ones you look up to; set up on a pedestal, if you will. With the mainstream exception of Batman, most heroes aren't believable in the "real world."

... now, this isn't how I view the characters but I do understand the comparison (personally, I can relate to Hal Jordan). If this truly is the case then it's up to the creative team behind the film translations to make them relate-able to the masses.

exactly!!!

 

[Raiden]

On comics book threads I notice a repetitive comparison: Marvel heroes are popular because they are relative to the masses. People can see themselves as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, etc

DC heroes are ones you look up to; set up on a pedestal, if you will. With the mainstream exception of Batman, most heroes aren't believable in the "real world."

... now, this isn't how I view the characters but I do understand the comparison (personally, I can relate to Hal Jordan). If this truly is the case then it's up to the creative team behind the film translations to make them relate-able to the masses.

I think this probably has alot to do with their origins. Marvel superheroes are usually ordinary people who either got their powers through birth (mutants) or by freak accidents (Spider-man, Hulk), or by intelligence (Iron Man, Henry Pym). DC superheroes (except for Batman) usually were born with great destiny (Superman, Wonder Woman), got chosen (Green Lantern), or got their powers through some extraordinary circumstances (Flash). The way the heroes are presented also played a role, like the Justice League is filled with all the DC's top tier superheroes and perceived as a beacon of hope for mankind. The Avengers actually do not have all the most well-known superheroes of Marvel Universe, and I think can be accepted more as a team than a collection of bigwigs and demi-gods. In the end, I think DC works well in certain medium, like animation, but Marvel imo works better on the big screen where GA like to see characters that are more relatable.

 

[Rock Sexton]

All I'm saying is that Thor looks like an expensive movie. I'm not bashing the quality of the film. When you look at the set pieces it has asgard, they built a city in the middle of the desert, costume, frost giants, thor flying, the rainbow bridge etc., I have a hard time reconciling that the film cost less than batman begins to make, which Nolan is known for coming in under budget. I think its a good comparison because its 2 characters that had to use CGI.

Bro, they filmed the movie in NM on a set for the most part, the state also had massive tax breaks. They're not shooting on location, which can drive up costs considerably. MArvel has been pretty strategic about "where" they film because of strict budgeting measures.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

I doubt it will be just as simple as that, look at Batman Begins or First Class both great flicks but GA didn't really care a whole lot about em'.

Don't get me wrong, the most important thing is the actual quality of the movie but in addition to that you need anticipation, Hype, positive buzz to really crack with the GA. Superman doesn't have that unfortunately, at least not yet.

BB's DVD sales were massive. Some of the GA didn't give it a chance in the theaters but discovered it in DVD.

 

[solidsnake86]

Bro, they filmed the movie in NM on a set for the most part, the state also had massive tax breaks. They're not shooting on location, which can drive up costs considerably. MArvel has been pretty strategic about "where" they film because of strict budgeting measures.

... and GL went to New Orleans for the tax incentives as well, and they were considerable enough for them to drop new zealand in favour of new orleans. Are those being factored into this increasing budget of 200 million.

 

[Silver Surfer]

BB's DVD sales were massive. Some of the GA didn't give it a chance in the theaters but discovered it in DVD.

Yes they did because the anticipation, positive buzz and hype built up after the theater run. Most of the succesful movies already have those factors on their side prior to release hence better runs at the BO.

 

[Rock Sexton]

... and GL went to New Orleans for the tax incentives as well, and they were considerable enough for them to drop new zealand in favour of new orleans. Are those being factored into this increasing budget of 200 million.

GL also spent a ton of extra money to finish up botched VFX at the last minute. You know what kind of dough you have to shell out to get those guys to finish it up on such a truncated time schedule? Thor didn't have that problem.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Yes they did because the anticipation, positive buzz and hype built up after the theater run. Most of the succesful movies already have those factors on their side prior to release hence better runs at the BO.

But my point still stands. The GA were convinced (eventually) that this Batman is not silly. MoS, if it can deliver an interesting Superman, can do the same.

 

[Silver Surfer]

But my point still stands. The GA were convinced (eventually) that this Batman is not silly. MoS, if it can deliver an interesting Superman, can do the same.

Yeah but if it convinces them after it's theater run like BB than it won't be the smash hit that WB and all of us are looking for.

 

[rogue trooper]

Monday's take: http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=greenlantern.htm

 

[kedrell]

It should cross $100M domestic on Friday or Saturday.

 

[Poni_Boy]

It should cross $100M domestic on Friday or Saturday.

The simple fact you have to include "should" in that sentence makes me so sad. See >>> sad face

 

[kedrell]

The simple fact you have to include "should" in that sentence makes me so sad. See >>> sad face

Well I can't tell for certain which day it will be, hence the 'should' part. But I'm 99% sure it'll be one of those two days.

 

[The Sage]

On comics book threads I notice a repetitive comparison: Marvel heroes are popular because they are relative to the masses. People can see themselves as Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, etc

DC heroes are ones you look up to; set up on a pedestal, if you will. With the mainstream exception of Batman, most heroes aren't believable in the "real world."

... now, this isn't how I view the characters but I do understand the comparison (personally, I can relate to Hal Jordan). If this truly is the case then it's up to the creative team behind the film translations to make them relate-able to the masses.

I think the whole "relatable" thing has gotten out of hand. As Rev said, it's a matter of making the audience understand the character through a compelling story. The character doesn't have to be exactly like us for you be interested in him. If you do that, then people will get hooked on the character.

If the successful Marvel movies didn't have compelling stories, they wouldn't have made an impact as they have.

 

[BigThor]

Secondary characters like Ghost Rider, Blade, and Hulk will make more $$$ than GL!

This may be true, but their films are also a good bit cheaper than Green Lantern.

 

[rogue trooper]

Secondary characters like Ghost Rider, Blade, and Hulk will make more $$$ than GL!

I got news for you; Hulk is not a secondary character. Was always more popular than GL.