The Dark Knight Rises The Box Office Thread

[Iceman]

Whedon knows where it's at

 

[Mysteryman]

Well Said Joss.

 

[Weadazoid]

Excellent point. Batman has always been seen as the one to be always be feared. But the way he turned as if he was trapped and scared with Bane's pimp walk says so much.

I feel like they need to play this out just a little more in the final trailer if they have one more to go.


So far Bats Villains in all movies except an awful B & R movie have been 'crazy' villains that when cornered realize very quickly in a one on one fight Bats is way to much for them, they cower, they fight dirty but to no avail


Batman has never met a true physical match that derails him, it should be played up in an extreame way.

 

[Mysteryman]

I think this was the last trailer.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Joss Whedon: http://whedonesque.com/comments/28797

Although I'm not a fan of Whedon's past work, I am a fan of his speeches and thoughts.

 

[Gianakin_]

To be honest, though, he should've credited Burton and especially Donner, not Nolan, Raimi or Favreau, for the creation of the genre. Even Singer before Raimi. Even Norrington. Nolan should get special honors for obvious reasons, but it's Donner and Burton who brought the first humongous successes of the genre.

 

[Bruce Malone]

To be honest, though, he should've credited Burton and especially Donner, not Nolan, Raimi or Favreau, for the creation of the genre. Even Singer before Raimi. Even Norrington. Nolan should get special honors for obvious reasons, but it's Donner and Burton who brought the first humongous successes of the genre.

In my opinion i feel as if we are currently in the "4th generation" of comic films. 1st gen was donner, 2nd was burton/schumacher/ 3rd was raimi/singer and i think the 4th started in 2008 with the release of both iron man and the dark knight and every comic films since has been inspired to one way or another byt those two.

So i think whedon is aligning himself with the "new generation" comic film directors.

 

[Gianakin_]

It kinda makes sense the way you put it, but still. Even Raimi's Spiderman borrows heavily from the 2 Superman films. And when I say heavily, I mean HEAVILY.

 

[Anita18]

Nothing major, but I want to celebrate BJ of World of KJ's return to CRAZY BATMAN FILM PREDICTIONS! Cause I'm not a member over there.

The Dark Knight Rises Guarantees............

100% guaranteed Potter smothering 44m+ midnight showings.
100% guaranteed head exploding 100m+ opening day
100% guaranteed ball crushing 208m+ opening wknd
100% guaranteed eye popping 4 wknds straight over 20m
100% guaranteed GUARANTEED! top grosser of 2012
150% guaranteed jaw dropping 600m+

I love this guy, he's so enthusiastically nutty. He did also claim a "guaranteed GUARANTEED" $500 million for TDK so hopefully he's right this time too.

 

[Anita18]

Oh I was wrong, someone pulled up BJ's predictions for TDK back in 2008:

There are no sane and insane predicts, the films is 150% guaranteed to top 400m with such relative ease that [poster] magnus will wonder why ever ever doubted such an inevitability.

400m+

BJs Prediction:

148m | 510m

100% guaranteed Sith smothering 17m+ midnight showings.
100% guaranteed head exploding 55m+ opening day
100% guaranteed ball crushing 136m+ opening wknd
100% guaranteed eye popping 4 wks straight over 20m
100% guaranteed GUARANTEED! top grosser of 2008
150% guaranteed jaw dropping 400m+

 

[Fenrir]

The guy's an oracle. We should be worshiping him.

 

[Excel]

BJ & KJ knows whats good

For all the folks doubting whether Batman can compete with The Avengers at the box office, take a moment to recall the lessons of history.

The year was 1988. Light weight comedian Michael Keaton had been cast in the title role of BATMAN, a crime fighting superhero. Arthouse weirdo Tim Burton was going to direct. For some random reason, Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson had agreed to play the Joker, but only because of an outrageous payday. The movie was set to open the weekend after GHOSTBUSTERS 2, the first sequel to one of the most popular and box office successful movies of all time, GHOSTBUSTERS. At the critics, called it a bad business decision. Batman had poor buzz as is, opening a week after a film sure to break records would be financial suicide. But Warner Brothers, the studio distributing the film, has few options. July would belong to it's other summer tentpole, LETHAL WEAPON 2, the sequel to their 1987 box office hit. For as risky as Batman seemed, Lethal Weapon 2 offered some stability. They were going to keep that as far away from competition as possible.

But what about May? The start of summer, Memorial Day, was booked. The third INDIANA JONES movie was due to open then as well. The final film of the incredibly popular series was to feature international super star SEAN CONNERY as Indiana Jones father! Between Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters 2, Lethal Weapon 2, and Back to the Future 3, it was a summer of sequels. As a New York Times columnist noted in February of 1989,

the film is a blockbuster gamble along the lines of last year's ''Who Framed Roger Rabbit'' and a much-needed prospective hit in a summer crowded with competitors. ''Batman,'' which, in addition to Mr. Nicholson, features Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Palance and Jerry Hall, will go head to head with ''Ghostbusters II,'' ''Lethal Weapon II,'' ''Star Trek V'' and a second trip ''Back to the Future.''

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/05/movies/film-batman-battles-for-big-money.html

Indeed, Batman's big screen debut seemed like it might take a backseat to sequels to already thriving franchise as March of 1989 began. But that was before THE trailer.

a widely distributed trailer has already given millions of American moviegoers a taste of the film's darkly elegant style. The most talked-about ''coming attraction'' in recent memory, it elicits applause and often cheers with its succession of electrifying images. Movie theater owners have infamously complained of people walking out of the film following the trailer, demanding their money back. The owners response: "You've already gotten what you paid for".

From the moment the trailer was released, it was over. It didn't matter how popular Indiana Jones was, or that he (supposably) would never be on the big screen again. It was irrelevant how popular the last Ghostbusters was. For the dollars those franchises had already raked in, for all the fans clamoring to see Bill Murray making wise cracks at ghosts once again, or to see Harrison Ford and Sean Connerys bickering as they rode into the sunset, neither of those two films had what BATMAN had. The Caped Crusader himself.

In 1966, the phenomenon known as 'Batmania' swept the nation, making interest in the character reach such a fever pitch that Batman labeled socks were best sellers. In 1989, unsuspecting movie goers and film buffs began the year expecting BATMAN to play a prominent, but SUPPORTING role, in the 1989 film landscape. But as soon as the footage broke, there was no question who would be the summers true star. And reality is, it was always going to be that way. 1966. 1989. 1992. 1995. 2008. Batmania is a phenomenon which few brands can inspire. In 1989, Batmania took over the USA like the plague.

As Memorial day came, Indiana Jones did, in fact, break records. It's 29.3 million dollar 3-Day weekend haul was the biggest of all time. 2 weeks later, Ghostbusters 2 opened. That, too, broke records, as everybody had expected. 29.5 million, a hair over Indiana Jones. The following week? Batman. What happened, everybody knows. Despite the previous weekends #1 film opening at all time high, Batman would DESTROY the week old opening weekend record, grossing an ASTOUNDING 42.5 million, crushing the old record by over 37% (that would be like TDKR opening $290 million after Avengers did $207). That type of money, in that short period of time, was believed to have been literally impossible. Batman proved them wrong. In the end, Batman would gross 60 million more than Indiana Jones, and twice as much as Ghostbusters 2.

What, is the moral of this story?

Never underestimate the power of Batman. Outside of Star Wars, there is no other brand in pop culture which has proven throughout his history to be as bankable as The Dark Knight. When quality is assured, people have, and will continue to, show up droves. Even when Batman Begins opened small, the people did come. Not all at once, but over time. If they didn't make it to the theater, they certainly made it to their couch to watch the film on T.V. When Batman returned to theaters in 2008, it was a show stopping, pop culture event. Audiences turned out in record numbers on opening weekend, but they did not stop there. They kept coming. Not only did The Dark Knight open bigger than any movie ever before, but it had incredible box office legs. The people couldn't stay away. They kept coming back for more, and told everybody they knew.

Now, we have the sequel to the greatest, most popular, and commercially successful Batman product of all time. It is the final film of the Nolan era, an era marked with unprecedented commercial success and critical acclaim. The only thing that is certain, surrounding The Dark Knight's impending box office take, is that there is NO limit to high it can.

Some brand follow the standard, other brands make it. Make no mistke about it- it does not matter what the Avengers, or any other movie makes. The Dark Knight WILL rise to top the of the record books when he opens, you can count on that. Batmania cometh

 

[Anita18]

Excel keeping the hope alive.

 

[Doc Holliday]

But as soon as the footage broke, there was no question who would be the summers true star. And reality is, it was always going to be that way. 1966. 1989. 1992. 1995. 2008. Batmania is a phenomenon which few brands can inspire. In 1989, Batmania took over the USA like the plague.

I noticed you forgot 1998 and 2005?

Spoiler

That said, your post was eloquent and thorough, and I think you may have a point.

 

[Excel]

I noticed you forgot 1998 and 2005?

Spoiler

That said, your post was eloquent and thorough, and I think you may have a point.

"Batmania" did not happen in either of those years.

 

[hafizbat]

Um, I think thats his point

 

[Excel]

Um, I think thats his point

 

[BatLobster]

BJ & KJ knows whats good

For all the folks doubting whether Batman can compete with The Avengers at the box office, take a moment to recall the lessons of history.

The year was 1988. Light weight comedian Michael Keaton had been cast in the title role of BATMAN, a crime fighting superhero. Arthouse weirdo Tim Burton was going to direct. For some random reason, Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson had agreed to play the Joker, but only because of an outrageous payday. The movie was set to open the weekend after GHOSTBUSTERS 2, the first sequel to one of the most popular and box office successful movies of all time, GHOSTBUSTERS. At the critics, called it a bad business decision. Batman had poor buzz as is, opening a week after a film sure to break records would be financial suicide. But Warner Brothers, the studio distributing the film, has few options. July would belong to it's other summer tentpole, LETHAL WEAPON 2, the sequel to their 1987 box office hit. For as risky as Batman seemed, Lethal Weapon 2 offered some stability. They were going to keep that as far away from competition as possible.

But what about May? The start of summer, Memorial Day, was booked. The third INDIANA JONES movie was due to open then as well. The final film of the incredibly popular series was to feature international super star SEAN CONNERY as Indiana Jones father! Between Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters 2, Lethal Weapon 2, and Back to the Future 3, it was a summer of sequels. As a New York Times columnist noted in February of 1989,



http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/05/movies/film-batman-battles-for-big-money.html

Indeed, Batman's big screen debut seemed like it might take a backseat to sequels to already thriving franchise as March of 1989 began. But that was before THE trailer.



From the moment the trailer was released, it was over. It didn't matter how popular Indiana Jones was, or that he (supposably) would never be on the big screen again. It was irrelevant how popular the last Ghostbusters was. For the dollars those franchises had already raked in, for all the fans clamoring to see Bill Murray making wise cracks at ghosts once again, or to see Harrison Ford and Sean Connerys bickering as they rode into the sunset, neither of those two films had what BATMAN had. The Caped Crusader himself.

In 1966, the phenomenon known as 'Batmania' swept the nation, making interest in the character reach such a fever pitch that Batman labeled socks were best sellers. In 1989, unsuspecting movie goers and film buffs began the year expecting BATMAN to play a prominent, but SUPPORTING role, in the 1989 film landscape. But as soon as the footage broke, there was no question who would be the summers true star. And reality is, it was always going to be that way. 1966. 1989. 1992. 1995. 2008. Batmania is a phenomenon which few brands can inspire. In 1989, Batmania took over the USA like the plague.

As Memorial day came, Indiana Jones did, in fact, break records. It's 29.3 million dollar 3-Day weekend haul was the biggest of all time. 2 weeks later, Ghostbusters 2 opened. That, too, broke records, as everybody had expected. 29.5 million, a hair over Indiana Jones. The following week? Batman. What happened, everybody knows. Despite the previous weekends #1 film opening at all time high, Batman would DESTROY the week old opening weekend record, grossing an ASTOUNDING 42.5 million, crushing the old record by over 37% (that would be like TDKR opening $290 million after Avengers did $207). That type of money, in that short period of time, was believed to have been literally impossible. Batman proved them wrong. In the end, Batman would gross 60 million more than Indiana Jones, and twice as much as Ghostbusters 2.

What, is the moral of this story?

Never underestimate the power of Batman. Outside of Star Wars, there is no other brand in pop culture which has proven throughout his history to be as bankable as The Dark Knight. When quality is assured, people have, and will continue to, show up droves. Even when Batman Begins opened small, the people did come. Not all at once, but over time. If they didn't make it to the theater, they certainly made it to their couch to watch the film on T.V. When Batman returned to theaters in 2008, it was a show stopping, pop culture event. Audiences turned out in record numbers on opening weekend, but they did not stop there. They kept coming. Not only did The Dark Knight open bigger than any movie ever before, but it had incredible box office legs. The people couldn't stay away. They kept coming back for more, and told everybody they knew.

Now, we have the sequel to the greatest, most popular, and commercially successful Batman product of all time. It is the final film of the Nolan era, an era marked with unprecedented commercial success and critical acclaim. The only thing that is certain, surrounding The Dark Knight's impending box office take, is that there is NO limit to high it can.

Some brand follow the standard, other brands make it. Make no mistke about it- it does not matter what the Avengers, or any other movie makes. The Dark Knight WILL rise to top the of the record books when he opens, you can count on that. Batmania cometh

I this post.

God, Batman is awesome.

 

[ManBatwoman]

Question for all you Los Angeles Bat Freaks... Have any of you already purchased tickets to the midnight 12:01 showing at The Rave 18? I've been watching it like a hawk since it was listed and am now being told it is sold out, but really have a hard time believing that since, as I said, I have been hawk-like in my vigilance

Thanks in advance!! (long time lurker!)

 

[Anita18]

Question for all you Los Angeles Bat Freaks... Have any of you already purchased tickets to the midnight 12:01 showing at The Rave 18? I've been watching it like a hawk since it was listed and am now being told it is sold out, but really have a hard time believing that since, as I said, I have been hawk-like in my vigilance

Thanks in advance!! (long time lurker!)

Yes, they sold out in January. You had to go to the kiosk to get them, I believe.

You were able to get the tickets during the prologue showing, so tickets really went on sale in December. Hell, I went over to get tickets at the kiosk for CityWalk a WEEK after the prologue showing and half the seats were already gone!

 

[Iceman]

Between Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters 2, Lethal Weapon 2, and Back to the Future 3, it was a summer of sequels. As a New York Times columnist noted in February of 1989,

What a summer for film! Wish I was following box office back then.

Now, we have the sequel to the greatest, most popular, and commercially successful Batman product of all time. It is the final film of the Nolan era, an era marked with unprecedented commercial success and critical acclaim. The only thing that is certain, surrounding The Dark Knight's impending box office take, is that there is NO limit to high it can.

There's no limit to final gross for a film like this coming out at the end of summer even without a crazy opening weekend (unlike films that kick off summer). The better it is & the more memorable the ending (& the longer it can stay out), the more it will be rewatched. But to make more than TDK's final gross I think it will have to be an even better film.

 

[Superhero 101]

BJ & KJ knows whats good

For all the folks doubting whether Batman can compete with The Avengers at the box office, take a moment to recall the lessons of history.

The year was 1988. Light weight comedian Michael Keaton had been cast in the title role of BATMAN, a crime fighting superhero. Arthouse weirdo Tim Burton was going to direct. For some random reason, Hollywood icon Jack Nicholson had agreed to play the Joker, but only because of an outrageous payday. The movie was set to open the weekend after GHOSTBUSTERS 2, the first sequel to one of the most popular and box office successful movies of all time, GHOSTBUSTERS. At the critics, called it a bad business decision. Batman had poor buzz as is, opening a week after a film sure to break records would be financial suicide. But Warner Brothers, the studio distributing the film, has few options. July would belong to it's other summer tentpole, LETHAL WEAPON 2, the sequel to their 1987 box office hit. For as risky as Batman seemed, Lethal Weapon 2 offered some stability. They were going to keep that as far away from competition as possible.

But what about May? The start of summer, Memorial Day, was booked. The third INDIANA JONES movie was due to open then as well. The final film of the incredibly popular series was to feature international super star SEAN CONNERY as Indiana Jones father! Between Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters 2, Lethal Weapon 2, and Back to the Future 3, it was a summer of sequels. As a New York Times columnist noted in February of 1989,



http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/05/movies/film-batman-battles-for-big-money.html

Indeed, Batman's big screen debut seemed like it might take a backseat to sequels to already thriving franchise as March of 1989 began. But that was before THE trailer.



From the moment the trailer was released, it was over. It didn't matter how popular Indiana Jones was, or that he (supposably) would never be on the big screen again. It was irrelevant how popular the last Ghostbusters was. For the dollars those franchises had already raked in, for all the fans clamoring to see Bill Murray making wise cracks at ghosts once again, or to see Harrison Ford and Sean Connerys bickering as they rode into the sunset, neither of those two films had what BATMAN had. The Caped Crusader himself.

In 1966, the phenomenon known as 'Batmania' swept the nation, making interest in the character reach such a fever pitch that Batman labeled socks were best sellers. In 1989, unsuspecting movie goers and film buffs began the year expecting BATMAN to play a prominent, but SUPPORTING role, in the 1989 film landscape. But as soon as the footage broke, there was no question who would be the summers true star. And reality is, it was always going to be that way. 1966. 1989. 1992. 1995. 2008. Batmania is a phenomenon which few brands can inspire. In 1989, Batmania took over the USA like the plague.

As Memorial day came, Indiana Jones did, in fact, break records. It's 29.3 million dollar 3-Day weekend haul was the biggest of all time. 2 weeks later, Ghostbusters 2 opened. That, too, broke records, as everybody had expected. 29.5 million, a hair over Indiana Jones. The following week? Batman. What happened, everybody knows. Despite the previous weekends #1 film opening at all time high, Batman would DESTROY the week old opening weekend record, grossing an ASTOUNDING 42.5 million, crushing the old record by over 37% (that would be like TDKR opening $290 million after Avengers did $207). That type of money, in that short period of time, was believed to have been literally impossible. Batman proved them wrong. In the end, Batman would gross 60 million more than Indiana Jones, and twice as much as Ghostbusters 2.

What, is the moral of this story?

Never underestimate the power of Batman. Outside of Star Wars, there is no other brand in pop culture which has proven throughout his history to be as bankable as The Dark Knight. When quality is assured, people have, and will continue to, show up droves. Even when Batman Begins opened small, the people did come. Not all at once, but over time. If they didn't make it to the theater, they certainly made it to their couch to watch the film on T.V. When Batman returned to theaters in 2008, it was a show stopping, pop culture event. Audiences turned out in record numbers on opening weekend, but they did not stop there. They kept coming. Not only did The Dark Knight open bigger than any movie ever before, but it had incredible box office legs. The people couldn't stay away. They kept coming back for more, and told everybody they knew.

Now, we have the sequel to the greatest, most popular, and commercially successful Batman product of all time. It is the final film of the Nolan era, an era marked with unprecedented commercial success and critical acclaim. The only thing that is certain, surrounding The Dark Knight's impending box office take, is that there is NO limit to high it can.

Some brand follow the standard, other brands make it. Make no mistke about it- it does not matter what the Avengers, or any other movie makes. The Dark Knight WILL rise to top the of the record books when he opens, you can count on that. Batmania cometh

Well said!!

 

[ManBatwoman]

Yes, they sold out in January. You had to go to the kiosk to get them, I believe.

You were able to get the tickets during the prologue showing, so tickets really went on sale in December. Hell, I went over to get tickets at the kiosk for CityWalk a WEEK after the prologue showing and half the seats were already gone!

Yes, i found this information out last night shortly after I posted. Unbelievable. I have been checking for months waiting for tickets to go on sale. It's almost impossible that I was unaware of this. PLUS, I was AT The Rave for Mission Impossibles opening night... can't believe I missed out on getting tickets :-(

3am showing it is i guess....

 

[Anita18]

Yes, i found this information out last night shortly after I posted. Unbelievable. I have been checking for months waiting for tickets to go on sale. It's almost impossible that I was unaware of this. PLUS, I was AT The Rave for Mission Impossibles opening night... can't believe I missed out on getting tickets :-(

3am showing it is i guess....

The people at the theater's box office didn't know, you just had to go to the kiosk since it was already in the system. I was at The Rave (really, ugh, that name...) for the TDKR prologue showing and we didn't know we could already get tickets. It was at the CityWalk prologue showing where some official AMC guy made the announcement, and I think it traveled through the Facebook grapevine.

Sorry to hear that, but 3AM will probably be a popular showtime as well.

 

[FCEEVIPER]

Is the 3am open for sales yet at the Rave18?