The END of the DC movie franchaises may be upon us...

[CConn]

I never thought I'd say this while remaining heterosexual, but...I love Willy.

 

[BrianWilly]

Everyone inevitably does

.

 

[Lestat74]

Nice, objective article on Superman Returns Box Office take from BoxOfficemojo.com

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2106&p=.htm

One thing they say that's very true ( which I stated in my earlier post ) is that unlike Spider-Man, Superman Returns and Batman Begins were about Rebuilding fallen franchises, not starting new ones. Also, the expectations on Superman were very inflated by the price tag, which had $40 million leftover from aborted Superman projects.

Considering that Superman IV made only 16 million ( even in 1987, that was abysmally low for a Blockbuster Movie ) we have come a loooooonnngggg way since then, dontchya think?

 

[Kane]

Unlike Spider-Man, F4 and other big money successes......Batman and Superman werent bright kid-friendly films..

They were darker, epic and more realistic. They are the perfect tone I want to see WB making movies in....

Only problem is that doesnt sell as well.

Regardless Singer's idea to ground SR on the classic films was still a wise move. They could have fared far worse if general audiences didnt at least have that (the memories of the older films) to spark an interest in this. Superman has been out of the spotlight for some years.

If you think they should have continued Smallville into a feature film, that wouldnt have worked right either;

 

[That-Guy]

The odd thing about all of this is that Superman Returns has grossed $84 million in five days and people are calling it a potential failure... and what's even stranger is that they could be right. When people were calling Batman Begins a flop after a fairly similar opening weekend, they were just being ridiculous because BB's budget was around $150 million. That's a lot of money, but with a $70-80 million opening weekend, there really was no cause to worry about recouping the money. But Superman Returns had a MUCH larger budget; somewhere reportedly between $260 and $300 million, according to boxofficemojo. If that's true... then making that money back will be quite a feat, especially considering POTC2 hits theaters on Friday and we all KNOW that is going to be a huge hit.

What I'm curious about is what exactly drove the cost up so much for SR. I mean, I'm not saying that it was lacking in effects or quality... I just can't help but think that an equally effective film could have been made on a much smaller budget and I wonder if Singer and WB just got a little overconfident in their ideas here. It certainly wasn't the actor's salaries that drove the price of the film up... the only star I could see demanding a fairly hefty paycheck would have been Spacey, and since he and Singer are friends and he has also showed a lasting interest in playing the character of Luthor, I don't think he was demanding an insane amount of dough. Routh certainly wasn't high priced, and I doubt Bosworth, Marsden, Langella, etc. were either, so the money obviously went to production costs.

Whenever a movie has an immense budget like this, I always ponder what exaclty cost so much. I remember when Waterworld came out it was the most expensive film ever made and I couldn't figure out why. The sets just looked like a bunch of crap that was flown in from a scrapyard in New Jersey and dropped in the water. I guess, all things considered, it would be expensive to put all of that junk together, but $200 million expensive (in 1995, when gas was still a buck a gallon)? Strange.

 

[Prognosticator]

Superman Returns was an amazing film but it seems to be doing badly in the Box Office despite an extremely strong marketing campaign by WB.

If SR does indeed prove unprofitable, there will likely be no sequels (given the massive budget it requires).

This may likely also convince WB to NOT continue the DC superhero movies and NOT to take chances on the lesser known heroes when Superman proved to be unpopular.

Flash, Wonder Woman, Shazam, Green Lantern etc...Big budget DC Superhero films like these likely wont happen if Superman proves unprofitable.

Even though Batman Begins will be the only ones to continue, its unlikely we'll see other DC Superheroes step up into these big budget films if Superman is a failure.......

I'm hoping SR's Box Office # improves soon...for the sake of the future.

Discuss.

It's really a shame b/c dumbass Singer didn't even scratch the icing on the cake of what could be the most impressive franchise ever! ...Braniac, Darkseid, too bad... and what a limp way to squeeze in a "death of superman" bit in the movie

 

[Prognosticator]

The odd thing about all of this is that Superman Returns has grossed $84 million in five days and people are calling it a potential failure... and what's even stranger is that they could be right. When people were calling Batman Begins a flop after a fairly similar opening weekend, they were just being ridiculous because BB's budget was around $150 million. That's a lot of money, but with a $70-80 million opening weekend, there really was no cause to worry about recouping the money. But Superman Returns had a MUCH larger budget; somewhere reportedly between $260 and $300 million, according to boxofficemojo. If that's true... then making that money back will be quite a feat, especially considering POTC2 hits theaters on Friday and we all KNOW that is going to be a huge hit.

What I'm curious about is what exactly drove the cost up so much for SR. I mean, I'm not saying that it was lacking in effects or quality... I just can't help but think that an equally effective film could have been made on a much smaller budget and I wonder if Singer and WB just got a little overconfident in their ideas here. It certainly wasn't the actor's salaries that drove the price of the film up... the only star I could see demanding a fairly hefty paycheck would have been Spacey, and since he and Singer are friends and he has also showed a lasting interest in playing the character of Luthor, I don't think he was demanding an insane amount of dough. Routh certainly wasn't high priced, and I doubt Bosworth, Marsden, Langella, etc. were either, so the money obviously went to production costs.

Whenever a movie has an immense budget like this, I always ponder what exaclty cost so much. I remember when Waterworld came out it was the most expensive film ever made and I couldn't figure out why. The sets just looked like a bunch of crap that was flown in from a scrapyard in New Jersey and dropped in the water. I guess, all things considered, it would be expensive to put all of that junk together, but $200 million expensive (in 1995, when gas was still a buck a gallon)? Strange.

I'm interning at a production company and studio time to create those effects are the bulk of the flaming budget!! Plus, they've introduced new CGI tech with this movie. Studio time alone in post-production definitely drove up the $-tag.

 

[hippie_hunter]

True about the scripts, but Goyer and Whedon and Nolan all seem like the passionate type. They are willing to stay close to the characters and mythos and hold back their own vision (most of which syncs up pretty nicely with the character anyway).

Plus i think DC should take the chance on lesser heroes. Characters like Question and Jonah Hex and other non-convential superhero properties could do very well in the market. I feel that is why Blade did so well (better than expected anyway).

No, Warner Bros should not go down the Marvel route by making movies with lesser known characters. They should just focus on the big six.

 

[Warhammer]

DC movies so far, with the exception of Catwoman, have been quality films, unlike Marvel films. I want more DC movies. I hope there is no end. Pirates is opening up next week, but the only thing that could take Superman out of the #2 spot might be Miami Vice, which comes out on the 28th. I hope Superman does well.

 

[Warhammer]

No, Warner Bros should not go down the Marvel route by making movies with lesser known characters. They should just focus on the big six.

I agree.
I don't want an Atom Man movie or anything like that.
Waste of time and money.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

Warner underestimated the fact that millions of people are not interested in seeing a clone of a movie with a clone of our favourite Superman (no disrespect to Brandon because he's a great guy but that's why he was chosen and he himself is the first one to admit it) in a horrible suit with a less than stellar cast (with the exception of Spacey) and with a plot that involves him having a kid and dealing with natural disasters and real estate schmes while painting him to be God-like (which is why superman comic book sales were down in the late eighties and filled with mediocre writing.)
Spider-Man is so popular because ppl can relate to him and like him or not a vast majority of the worldwide public wanted to see Tom Welling end his run on Smallville (fact: SV brings in profits to Warner what SR cost to make - over 200 million dollars in tv, dvd and merchandise sales and is the most sold and watched Warner Bros. tv show worldwide) and gratuate to the big screen because they CAN relate to his portrayal of the character. He made people believe again in Superman (and again whether some ppl want to admit it or not, it's thanks to the show and his portrayal that Warner greenlit a new Superman movie) and that's why alot of ppl wanted to see Supes soar once again.
This movie as good as it is, it's still a huge disapointment to ppl who wanted something new and original. And hopefully after this great homage to the Donner film, in a few years Warner will give us a new movie with something new and with a Superman ppl can relate to.

 

[Superman4ever]

Superman Returns was an amazing film but it seems to be doing badly in the Box Office despite an extremely strong marketing campaign by WB.

If SR does indeed prove unprofitable, there will likely be no sequels (given the massive budget it requires).

This may likely also convince WB to NOT continue the DC superhero movies and NOT to take chances on the lesser known heroes when Superman proved to be unpopular.

Flash, Wonder Woman, Shazam, Green Lantern etc...Big budget DC Superhero films like these likely wont happen if Superman proves unprofitable.

Even though Batman Begins will be the only ones to continue, its unlikely we'll see other DC Superheroes step up into these big budget films if Superman is a failure.......

I'm hoping SR's Box Office # improves soon...for the sake of the future.

Discuss.

It's only been five days, and you're (not just you Kane) over reacting. Also allow the movie to open worldwide first...I personally think SR will have legs, remember Titanic didn't open huge either!

$28,638,131 actually and went on to make 600 M in the US alone. Will SR have that kind of run? Nothing is impossible, but here's hoping.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=12&p=.htm

There will be other DC franchises this is NOT the end!

 

[thedarks0ldier]

The superman budget was not over 200 million

 

[GL's Light]

Yes, there's been a lot of overhype about SR's budget, but inflated budgets are a problem for the superhero genre (and for a lot of other genres, too. But that's another story). Superhero films are a strong box office draw, but the box office upside isn't unlimited, especially for the B-list characters. Spending $ 80-100 million on a Catwoman film is lunacy. As is spending $ 100 million on Ghost Rider.

The studios need to develop great superhero scripts that can be realized on more reasonable budgets. A Catwoman film doesn't need a bunch of CGI shots (which turned out to look crap anyway), just as Daredevil didn't need budget-inflating CGI shots either. Just put together a great story, hire the right actress and some good stunt doubles, and you should be able to deliver a knockout Catwoman film for $ 40-50 million. The same is true for a lot of other superhero characters. Just use good old-fashioned ground-level filming techniques along with a great script. Lower budgets, more profits, more sequels.

 

[JackBauer]

no. just... no.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Warner underestimated the fact that millions of people are not interested in seeing a clone of a movie with a clone of our favourite Superman (no disrespect to Brandon because he's a great guy but that's why he was chosen and he himself is the first one to admit it) in a horrible suit with a less than stellar cast (with the exception of Spacey) and with a plot that involves him having a kid and dealing with natural disasters and real estate schmes while painting him to be God-like (which is why superman comic book sales were down in the late eighties and filled with mediocre writing.)
Spider-Man is so popular because ppl can relate to him and like him or not a vast majority of the worldwide public wanted to see Tom Welling end his run on Smallville (fact: SV brings in profits to Warner what SR cost to make - over 200 million dollars in tv, dvd and merchandise sales and is the most sold and watched Warner Bros. tv show worldwide) and gratuate to the big screen because they CAN relate to his portrayal of the character. He made people believe again in Superman (and again whether some ppl want to admit it or not, it's thanks to the show and his portrayal that Warner greenlit a new Superman movie) and that's why alot of ppl wanted to see Supes soar once again.
This movie as good as it is, it's still a huge disapointment to ppl who wanted something new and original. And hopefully after this great homage to the Donner film, in a few years Warner will give us a new movie with something new and with a Superman ppl can relate to.

You make alot of good points

 

[Warhammer]

It's only been five days, and you're (not just you Kane) over reacting. Also allow the movie to open worldwide first...I personally think SR will have legs, remember Titanic didn't open huge either!

$28,638,131 actually and went on to make 600 M in the US alone. Will SR have that kind of run? Nothing is impossible, but here's hoping.

There will be other DC franchises this is NOT the end!

Great point.

 

[thedarks0ldier]

It's only been five days, and you're (not just you Kane) over reacting. Also allow the movie to open worldwide first...I personally think SR will have legs, remember Titanic didn't open huge either!

$28,638,131 actually and went on to make 600 M in the US alone. Will SR have that kind of run? Nothing is impossible, but here's hoping.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=12&p=.htm

There will be other DC franchises this is NOT the end!

$ 600 million and they didnt even make a sequal

 

[Katsuro]

$ 600 million and they didnt even make a sequal

Haven't you heard, they're making one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-yn_Fnve-Q

 

[Lex Luthor]

Haven't you heard, they're making one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-yn_Fnve-Q

Ugh!

I already consider Ghostbusters 2 as a vague sequel to Titanic. You know ... since the titanic arrives in New York and all.

 

[Antonello Blueberry]

No, Warner Bros should not go down the Marvel route by making movies with lesser known characters. They should just focus on the big six.

And not having good movies like "V for Vendetta", "Road to perdition" and "A history of violence" be made?

 

[Kane]

Spider-Man is so popular because ppl can relate to him and like him or not a vast majority of the worldwide public wanted to see Tom Welling end his run on Smallville (fact: SV brings in profits to Warner what SR cost to make - over 200 million dollars in tv, dvd and merchandise sales and is the most sold and watched Warner Bros. tv show worldwide)

Isnt that figure representitive of a 5 year gross? Compared to SR's 5 days....

And yes, technically I want to see Tom Welling's 'run' on Smallville end also.

 

[Kane]

And no offense, Tom Welling in the film role really wouldnt have made a difference as far as the likeability of the portrayal of the character goes.

http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240333&page=4

The vast majority seem to love Brandon Routh. Sadly, you wouldnt get anywhere close to a reaction like this for TW on SHH or BT.

I was even shocked to real on Kryptonsite how so many loved BR's performance and prefer TW to remain playing the teenage character on Smallville while BR plays Superman.

As far as revenues go, from what Ive observed on Smallville fansites....pretty much the vast majority of SV viewers saw the new Superman Returns film anyways....

Their contribution to the film's revenue is likely already counted...so what difference would it really make if the film was a continuation of Smallville...from a financial standpoint?

 

[hippie_hunter]

And not having good movies like "V for Vendetta", "Road to perdition" and "A history of violence" be made?

But those are Vertigo movies. They aren't really superhero movies like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman are. You can make movies like Constantine, V for Vendetta, Y the Last Man, Watchmen, A History of Violence, Road to Perdition, Sin City, etc. without over flooding the the comic book movie market.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Unlike Spider-Man, F4 and other big money successes......Batman and Superman werent bright kid-friendly films..

They were darker, epic and more realistic. They are the perfect tone I want to see WB making movies in....

Only problem is that doesnt sell as well.

Regardless Singer's idea to ground SR on the classic films was still a wise move. They could have fared far worse if general audiences didnt at least have that (the memories of the older films) to spark an interest in this. Superman has been out of the spotlight for some years.

If you think they should have continued Smallville into a feature film, that wouldnt have worked right either;

Even though I loved Superman Returns better than Batman Begins, I bet that the movie would have had a better reception and box office gross if it were a complete restart like Batman Begins and had the costume more like the classic one.