The Dark Knight how in the world did this movie cost $180 million?

[inflames]

this is dumb, the movie's budget isn't justified because 'there isn't that much CGI'?

 

[Ace of Knaves]

well think about it, how much do you reckon it would cost to basically hire out a major city for 8 months? especially a city like chicago?

 

[souvlaki]

The logic that CGI is more expensive than practical effects and set pieces just blows my mind. I mean seriously, can someone explain to me how that even makes sense? I mean, I could see with certain sequences it might save a little cash doing things practically, but overall I just can't see how doing things practically would be cheaper especially when you consider the effects shots and sets in this film.

 

[Mito88]

Awesome thread backfire....

 

[JP]

Oh ma gawd! Epic fail all over the place!

Anyway, others have already mentioned all that needs to be mentioned.

I'd also like to add that a director doesn't just start a movie and spend all the money they need and at the end of the day the studio looks at the price tag and goes "Ah well!". No, they're given a specific budget and are forced to work within that. I highly doubt Nolan squandered the budget as I image WB must have given him around $200 mil.

 

[roxette]

remember, they built the tumbler from scratch.
i really like the tumbler though, really BIG, LONG, HARD, BLACK and POWERFUL.
reminds me of...t:

 

[Spider-Fan]

They flipped a truck in the air. THAT cost a pretty penny, I'll tell you.

Plus without using CGI, they would've used more expensive methods.

 

[Uroboros]

Wow..people are questioning how much this movie cost? Were they charging admittance based on the budget? Cause I paid the same to see this film that I paid for lesser, crappier, CHEAPER movies.

 

[Mito88]

remember, they built the tumbler from scratch.
i really like the tumbler though, really BIG, LONG, HARD, BLACK and POWERFUL.
reminds me of...t:

 

[Mito88]

Wow..people are questioning how much this movie cost? Were they charging admittance based on the budget? Cause I paid the same to see this film that I paid for lesser, crappier, CHEAPER movies.

seriously.. i actually paid to watch ghost rider...

i felt like kicking somone in the ear.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

hahahaha ghost rider was the biggest piece of cheese i've ever seen!! i usually like nic cage but that was a disgrace to all comic book films

 

[roxette]

what were YOU thinking? t:

 

[3goldens]

You guys crack me up! No one on this board has a freaking clue what it cost to actually make this movie. You want to question something question the mareting budget which was probably double the 18!

Let me tell you some facts. It cost and was budged for over he reported 180 million AND in the end Nolan brought it in UNDER budget.

I read some idiot here state that Chicago cost 17 million, are you high?

Try 90 million before tax credits given the film. They shot there on two separate occasions, one time for 7 days the other time for almost 2 months and that would include the crew , local and Brits, equipment including, props, cameras, and special rigs, (ultimate arm with its mercedes suv) 5 Batmobiles, 4 Batpods, so much more, traveling back and forth to London 2 times.

Hong Kong was a very minor part of the cost as they had a very small crew, a few principals, extras and rentals, shooting for something like 5 days, and NO stunts were performed there, except the plane over hong kong harbor, not really a stunt.

While CGI is limited, there is a lot more than the helicopter and the scene in Hong Kong, flying out of the window is all cgi, scenes in chicago evacuation, the ferries, a lot of miniatures. Just look at the credits people, that should give you a good indication of why these things cost what they do.

But who cares really, by the end of the week all of that initial cost of production will be recouped and they will start throwing money at Nolan to do a third, well lets hope so anyway.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

You gotta think they did have to pay the city of chicago to film there.

 

[Lauryn2000]

You know blowing up things isn't as cheap as it use to be,back in the day.CGI is cheaper since you don't have to replace or use "live" explosives or rounds.

 

[Johann Krauss]

 

[terry78]

According to the budget, about 45 million of that went to Chicago as far as shooting, payment of locals for labor, etc. So it did all go somewhere. It's not free to shut down massive areas of a large city during a work week.

 

[MegaGeek]

I was thinking about this argument last night when I saw TDK for the second time. and at first I was inclined to agree and wonder where the money was spent. But when you see the views from the Mayor's and Harvey's offices, plus the blowing up of buildings and such. really 180 mil seems about right.

 

[djchristensen]

I don't think it matters, what is cool is that it made most of it's budget back in the first weekend, only one more and the movie is paid for and the profit rolls in.

 

[terry78]

When a movie that we think sucks costs a lot, THEN we wonder why it cost so much.

 

[Superoldguy]

I didnt see it mentioned but Nolen said in some interview (cant find the link now) that filming in IMAX double production costs. The cameras are bigger and needed stonger riggings. Well worth it if you've seen the IMAX version.

 

[-rc2k-]

You know blowing up things isn't as cheap as it use to be,back in the day.CGI is cheaper since you don't have to replace or use "live" explosives or rounds.

I agree I was under the impression that CGI is the cheaper route than actual stunts and set pieces...I mean just look at the new star wars films.

 

[bunk]

When a movie that we think sucks costs a lot, THEN we wonder why it cost so much.

I think this thread was meant for the misc movies section to talk about Water World, and somehow got lost along the way.

"It's ok, off you go little buddy."

 

[DeaDheaD]

It cost less than I thought it would have, 180 mill pretty cheap for a sequel, I would love to know the marketing costs though.

 

[The Guard]

It does seem like a lot for what ended up onscreen. But that's Hollywood.