The Official Budget & Box Office Thread

[Herolee10]

A very good point. I agree.

There's definitely a market for big-budget tentpoles in December. I can name several movies that intersect with MOS' target demographic that did well with a mid- to late-December release. Plus, they have impressive legs throughout Christmas and New Year's as well as January.

That, and not to mention that S:TM was released in a winter date from last I checked.


I really hope that we get some more news about this soon, hell I'd even take a "status" update as to whether or not the studios are still talking about potentially moving it up further or something.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

There is something about Superman that screams Summer release but since I want to see this movie sooner I wouldn't object to an end of the year release date change.

 

[DKDetective]

A very good point. I agree.

There's definitely a market for big-budget tentpoles in December. I can name several movies that intersect with MOS' target demographic that did well with a mid- to late-December release. Plus, they have impressive legs throughout Christmas and New Year's as well as January.

Also, if the reports of Zach taking a more Nolan-esque approach with the film are true, I think they could maximize the box office by marketing the Nolan connection and releasing the film only 6 months after TDKR blows everyone's minds.

 

[mclay18]

I noticed that WB started some pretty major release date shifts today. Jack the Giant Killer got pushed back 9 months to March 2013, as opposed to its original June 2012 spot.

Perhaps that's an early sign they're going to move MOS back to 2012? I know the film won't be ready by this June, but maybe free up a late 2012 spot held by a WB movie already completed?

 

[Micromind]

This movie is NOT $175 Mil, they are low balling the public on cost of production, it's pure logic from a studio's stand point to do so.


Personally I feel it's more between 190-200 Mill at the least. Just looking at all the action MOS looks to have, and then looking at a movie such as Thor, there is no question that MOS is a good 40 to 50 MIL ahead of Thor on action and special effects. Thor was extremely weak on action in many respects, especially through-out the earth scenes. Thor was what... 150 Mill?!!!! Yea, I'm confident in saying that MOS will far exceed anything Thor has to offer as far as action is concerned. 190-210 Mill sounds about right.

Also, you say they built a whole town too blow-up in Thor??? That was a TINY town compared to Smallville in MOS! I been to the Smallville MOS set, and let me tell you, It's HUGE!!! Thor... They literally built 4 buildings! Yes, both have a 7-11, but Thor had nothing like what we see as far as Helicopters, crushed air-force planes, and train wrecks! Everything within the "Thor" town was CG and explosions, very systematic.


Point being is that it is obvious as far as production budget is concerned, that MOS is in a different league then Thor.

Looking at the Smallville sets they constructed and the amount of CGI and practical effects that will be used, I think that there is no way that this movie will cost around 175 mil.

As you have correctly stated sets for Thor were not that big and the movie did not have a big scope, so it could have been made for 150 mil, but in case of MOS it is definitely around 190 to 200 mil.

 

[sf2]

somehow i feel that MOS wouldn't make BIG (>250M).
you know the youngsters today might say they like ironman, batman, spiderman, xman... but they won't say they like superman... because it isn't a cool thing to say so.
and the youngsters are the king maker.

 

[matrix_ghost]

Have enough cool action scenes and the youngsters will flock to the cinemas.
It worked for all 3 transformers movies.

 

[mclay18]

As you have correctly stated sets for Thor were not that big and the movie did not have a big scope, so it could have been made for 150 mil, but in case of MOS it is definitely around 190 to 200 mil.

The actual production cost, yes, but WB isn't going to admit that unless MOS is a behemoth at the box office. They'll use the tax incentives and production credits earned from shooting in Chicago and Vancouver, subtract that from the production cost and make it the "official" production budget. Vancouver also provides an additional 17% off digital animation or visual effects work performed with local CGI/visual effects companies.

So, let's be generous and say that WB was able to get a 30% discount overall for following all the tax credit and incentive rules for a $190M-$200M film. They could easily claim it officially cost $140M-$175M. (I know the 30% discount would be $133M to $140M, but the bulk of CGI work performed would be in London (Double Negative, MPC) and New Zealand (WETA) so that wouldn't qualify for that 30%.)

 

[SuperAl]

The actual production cost, yes, but WB isn't going to admit that unless MOS is a behemoth at the box office. They'll use the tax incentives and production credits earned from shooting in Chicago and Vancouver, subtract that from the production cost and make it the "official" production budget. Vancouver also provides an additional 17% off digital animation or visual effects work performed with local CGI/visual effects companies.

So, let's be generous and say that WB was able to get a 30% discount overall for following all the tax credit and incentive rules for a $190M-$200M film. They could easily claim it officially cost $140M-$175M. (I know the 30% discount would be $133M to $140M, but the bulk of CGI work performed would be in London (Double Negative, MPC) and New Zealand (WETA) so that wouldn't qualify for that 30%.)

Don't forget about all the in movie advertising they seem to have in MOS. Off the top of my head, there is IHOP, Sears, 7-11. I am sure IHOP paid a decent amt to have Superman fly through their sign.

 

[mclay18]

Don't forget about all the in movie advertising they seem to have in MOS. Off the top of my head, there is IHOP, Sears, 7-11. I am sure IHOP paid a decent amt to have Superman fly through their sign.

Yeah. I'm pretty sure with product placement and Legendary co-financing the film, that WB is only paying for like 33% of the film out of pocket. But then they have to foot the bill for prints, advertising, cast doing talk show runs/premieres and so forth. And they have Nolan pulling this character out of development hell and picking Snyder to direct -- that's pretty risky.

Snyder's reputation at WB rides on how successful it is. Provided MOS ends up hitting it well with audiences and critics, I won't be surprised if WB wants Nolan to "mentor" the development of other DC properties (and not just the post-TDKR Batman reboot).

 

[Project862006]

somehow i feel that MOS wouldn't make BIG (>250M).
you know the youngsters today might say they like ironman, batman, spiderman, xman... but they won't say they like superman... because it isn't a cool thing to say so.
and the youngsters are the king maker.

zack snyder made flying owls look cool

just saying

 

[GreenKToo]

we'll have a rough idea on how well, and how much, money was spent on MOS once we see the trailer.
I expect this will be everything that the other film wasn't.

 

[KRIM]

I'm a little worried that we've had such low amounts of set pics. I'm not liking the possibility that they've filmed so much in studios. The only public Superman sightings we've seen all take place in Smallville. I'm curious how that bodes for his presence in Metropolis. I would hope Snyder didn't make Singer's mistake and have his Superman scenes take place on some soundstage. It doesn't have the feel or scope of an outside location.

 

[mclay18]

I'm a little worried that we've had such low amounts of set pics. I'm not liking the possibility that they've filmed so much in studios. The only public Superman sightings we've seen all take place in Smallville.

Well, we got a fair amount of pics nonetheless. It's not like during TDK shooting where Nolan wanted to keep everything private... I think the only set pics we got was the prologue being shot, Commissioner Loeb's funeral being disrupted, Harvey and Rachel outside, and some other scattered things.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Based on reboots of TIH, XFC, and BB, I think the WB should prepare for a tepid box office and hopefully get strong reviews and word of mouth saying they should move forward, and faith is restored in the franchise.

 

[Lily Adler]

I'm not expecting MOS to do big, just the right size. I'm expecting BB numbers or slightly better.

 

[Naite22]

imdb.com has MOS listed for a budget of an estimated 175 Mill. Which sounds pretty realistic. Your basic superhero flick. X1, Spidey 1, Fantasic 4, Thor, Cap A, Iron Man etc. They're all just around the 145-50 mill. mark... Superman really, simply just is that much bigger, so 175 Mill. is not stretching it.

 

[DKDetective]

I'm not expecting MOS to do big, just the right size. I'm expecting BB numbers or slightly better.

I can see that. I just hope they take that as success. Superman Returns made more than Batman Begins IIRC and they deemed it a failure.

 

[Lily Adler]

Well, WB also thought SR would make them mega bucks at the box office. IIRC, they expected it would gross 500 million WW. That and SR had to make up for all the failed projects.

I don't see them deeming MOS a failure if it did about the same.

 

[DKDetective]

Well, WB also thought SR would make them mega bucks at the box office. IIRC, they expected it would gross 500 million WW. That and SR had to make up for all the failed projects.

I don't see them deeming MOS a failure if it did about the same.

Yeah, very true. I think the problem with SR was also the critical reception and word of mouth. People were upset with what they did with the character, so the execs probably felt like sequel potential was minimal given the issues with Lois, her, husband, and the kid.

However, I`m a little afraid that MOS has the pressure of the Siegel and Shuster lawsuit on it. They might be counting on it to do gangbusters so they can pay off the estates and get the rights back.

 

[SuperAl]

Yeah, very true. I think the problem with SR was also the critical reception and word of mouth. People were upset with what they did with the character, so the execs probably felt like sequel potential was minimal given the issues with Lois, her, husband, and the kid.

However, I`m a little afraid that MOS has the pressure of the Siegel and Shuster lawsuit on it. They might be counting on it to do gangbusters so they can pay off the estates and get the rights back.

The critical reception was fairly good for SR, word of mouth was prolly SRs downfall. I still have a hard time picturing MOS doing worse than SR considering its going to be more action oriented and it has a stronger cast than SR. More star power and Nolan's name will be all over every poster and trailer and tv spot.

 

[Lily Adler]

So does anyone think MOS's release date will hurt or help it at the box office?

 

[Prime]

It sure won't help.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

So does anyone think MOS's release date will hurt or help it at the box office?

It will hurt it. Honestly June period just isn't a great time to release your big blockbuster. When was the last time a film was released in June (discount the last day of June fourth of July releases) and even made 200mil in total? Nothing comes to my mind.

 

[Evil Twin]

It will hurt it. Honestly June period just isn't a great time to release your big blockbuster. When was the last time a film was released in June (discount the last day of June fourth of July releases) and even made 200mil in total? Nothing comes to my mind.

Toy Story 3. The Hangover and Transformers 2 were also June releases. The Karate Kid did more than anyone expected in June.

There's nothing wrong with opening a film in June. Yeah, there's competition, but if people want to see the movie they'll go see the movie. People showed up in March for 300 and The Hunger Games. People showed up in April for Fast Five.