I've been saying since The Avengers came out, that because that movie made a billion dollars, now every movie has to make a billion dollars. It can't make 500 million, it can't make 750 million... it has to be a billion or it's a "bomb" or a "flop", or it's a disappointment. It's going to absolutely kill the industry.
I can imagine a total apocalypse happening in Hollywood where the money being put into movies is just not equaling the money coming in anymore, and it will wipe out the "blockbuster." Independent films will come back, younger, new voices will get a chance, and our smaller Fincher and Aronofsky films will be the "event" films of the year.
I mean, the signs are there, more than ever:
Cowboys and Aliens
After Earth
Green Lantern
Battleship
John Carter
Speed Racer
I have a strong suspicion that The Lone Ranger is the next warning.