Looks like the hype is over. Even movie premieres were losing their glitter.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i15e6314384dccfe33a4c67714d06fc7b
Still think our superhero films need name recognition?
It depends on what kind of superhero movies you're talking about. Movies like say Batman or Superman don't need high profile actors . Is it a plus when you have a cast that includes Michael Cane , Morgan Freeman etc ?
Yes.
But you could basically cast unknown but nevertheless talented actors and the movie would still become a hit due to the name recognition.
It's a different thing with unknown properties because in that case you do need an actor to sell the material. Does anyone honestly think that Men In Black would've been that big without Will Smith ?
The problem that you get when casting a famous actor for unknown AND known properties is that the actor can be completely wrong for the part.
Perfect example is Nicholas Cage in Ghost Rider.
However let's no forget that if something is executed right , you can basically have a big audience even with no name stars. That's what the studios should IMO focus on and not the fact that famous stars aren't pulling in the numbers.
300 succeeded because of the male-testorone driven visuals.
District 9 was a success part due to a well created viral campaign and offering a original take on the alien storyline.
And The Hangover worked because of the excellent chemistry of the cast.
IMO any of those movies would've still been a success if they cast famous actors. The only thing they needed to do was to "control" that particular actor.
And if a movie sucks , it doesn't mattyer who's playing in it ..that movie will still bomb. Even if they cast another actor in Surrogates , i doubt that movie would've been any better.
Personally i agree with what the studio is now offering
Instead of upfront deals , why not settle for less and once the movie becomes a hit , you'd get a bigger percentage of the gross.
IMO it's a valid complaint when people are saying that movies are becoming too expensive. While stuff like VFX can't be controlled , salaries can. However some actors simply refuse to lower their salaries ( Denzel Washington..) and instead the budgt increases dramatically.
Unknown actors definately mean that the studios have to pay less meaning that they can take more risks ( District 9 & Hangover being R rated). And while this doesn't apply to all studios ( like Fox) , having unknowns/cheap ators in high profile movies means that you can basically deliver a good movie instead of releasing the most commercial version of a movie.
Marvel and PIXAR are excellent examples of this.
And yes i agree with dark_b
Nicole Kidman really isn't worth her 15 million paycheck.
As is Julia Roberts.
You think 2012 is going to hit big because people have been dying to see John Cusack, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson in a movie together?
