The Punisher Pushed Back - December 5th

[Balthus Dire]

Why couldn't they get Pacino or DeNiro involved in a Punisher film?

I hope that was a joke. Neither of them have made a good movie since HEAT, though I'll admit Pacino was great in Ocean's 13.

 

[citizenpain]

I hope that was a joke. Neither of them have made a good movie since HEAT, though I'll admit Pacino was great in Ocean's 13.

agreed, somewhat. deniro has fallen off a little bit with all the comedy movies but pacino is still awesome. he's made plenty of good movies since heat... the devil's advocate and insomnia immediately come to mind. simone was pretty decent, really interesting concept too. i haven't seen ocean's 13 however... wasn't all that interested after 12 turned out to be a celebrity love-fest with the actual heist lasting mere minutes.

 

[Kable24]

I'm not surprised this was pushed back later. It's starting to smell more and more like LGF doesn't know what to do with the turd in their hand.

 

[rubyhope]

That'll happen no matter what day it opens.

Lets make a friendly wager

I bet that punisher will rake in much more then the 2004 movie did

If I win you have to post on these forums that you were wrong and that you like monkey nuts. If i'm wrong i'll do the same.

I'm going to say first week will gain at least 20 mil

as soon as people see the trailer everyone will **** a brick

 

[CorpusBlack]

Pushed back? Damn.

 

[NoirMan82]

I don't see why a date change has people up in arms. How often do movies/games/albums get moved around? Everyday. LG wants to make sure the film can compete and be profitable. Think about how much cash the original Punisher would have made if it didn't go head to head with Kill Bill vol.2. It's a smart move, and they get to perfect things if need be. If I get a better movie, I'll wait.

 

[TheVileOne]

I think its a bad move, because movies like this don't play well in the holiday season when its more families and kids going to the movies.

 

[Balthus Dire]

The holiday season worries me a bit, but I think it's because I'm still suffering memories of AVP:R.

 

[citizenpain]

actually... the holidays are the most depressing most time for a lot of people. there are lonely people without families, there's the stress of holiday shopping, overtime at work, etc. beside, the movie isn't going to be trying to appeal to families with children anyway, but it will hopefully appeal to all those depressed people.

as soon as people see the trailer everyone will **** a brick

i agree, i think the trailer is going to deliver. the pics certainly seem to have a nice look to them so it should be visually appealing... and hopefully lexi's storytelling abilities are just as good as the look she's created. ray stevenson should make for a truly badass frank castle, and the pumped up action should appeal to audiences.

 

[claydogg]

Well I'm going to try to remain positive here.

I would love to see the movie ASAP.

But, I actually like the december release date becuase if it was like last year other than "I am Legend" there wasn't a good film around.

heck,.... Iron man going to be the next movie I see since that time (December)

but this summer has alot of great movies so that I believe would hurt the punisher box office sales. no matter how great the movie is I thought sept was to close to the summer blockbusters.

I really more concerned about how the punisher making money (as well as making Frank right this time) otherwise the move "Punisher" franchise is toast.

it really needs to pull at least 50 million box office. To ensure a good movie franchise.

 

[Gotham]

Well I'm going to try to remain positive here.

I would love to see the movie ASAP.

But, I actually like the december release date becuase if it was like last year other than "I am Legend" there wasn't a good film around.

heck,.... Iron man going to be the next movie I see since that time (December)

but this summer has alot of great movies so that I believe would hurt the punisher box office sales. no matter how great the movie is I thought sept was to close to the summer blockbusters.

I really more concerned about how the punisher making money (as well as making Frank right this time) otherwise the move "Punisher" franchise is toast.

it really needs to pull at least 50 million box office. To ensure a good movie franchise.

As long as they have a very well cut trailer, showing the tone clearly, I think they'll pull a big audience.

 

[RogueDK]

I'm hoping that the studio's stradegy pays off by pushing back the release date; I also hope that they put together a helluva trailer and seriously pimp this picture...


Man, I want this to be good. Punisher deserves as much...

 

[TheVileOne]

actually... the holidays are the most depressing most time for a lot of people. there are lonely people without families, there's the stress of holiday shopping, overtime at work, etc. beside, the movie isn't going to be trying to appeal to families with children anyway, but it will hopefully appeal to all those depressed people.

This one of the most hilarious, ridiculous things I've ever read. citizenpain, I'd love for you to fill us in on what all these movies that appeal to depressed, lonely people are. Look at the history. The movies that make the most money over the holiday season are either family movies or big event fantasy movies or big name blockbusters. Movies like this tend NOT to do well over the November/December period and that's a fact. AVPR. Blade Trinity.

The fact of the matter is this, smaller level dark and violent shoot 'em up or action pictures tend to NOT do very well over the holiday season and that's a fact. The holiday season, Thanksgiving-Xmas is typically one of the biggest moviegoing seasons of the year. Why? Because more kids and families are on vacation and its a ton more kids and families going to the movies. That's the industry philosophy. They don't have this "depressed people over the holidays are going to TOTALLY love this."

I'm going to say right now, putting this movie in December is one of the WORST moves possible.

Look at what the three biggest movies from last November/December to see my point.

 

[Figs]

This one of the most hilarious, ridiculous things I've ever read. citizenpain, I'd love for you to fill us in on what all these movies that appeal to depressed, lonely people are. Look at the history. The movies that make the most money over the holiday season are either family movies or big event fantasy movies or big name blockbusters. Movies like this tend NOT to do well over the November/December period and that's a fact. AVPR. Blade Trinity.

The fact of the matter is this, smaller level dark and violent shoot 'em up or action pictures tend to NOT do very well over the holiday season and that's a fact. The holiday season, Thanksgiving-Xmas is typically one of the biggest moviegoing seasons of the year. Why? Because more kids and families are on vacation and its a ton more kids and families going to the movies. That's the industry philosophy. They don't have this "depressed people over the holidays are going to TOTALLY love this."

I'm going to say right now, putting this movie in December is one of the WORST moves possible.

Look at what the three biggest movies from last November/December to see my point.

I agree.

Them pushing it till December of all months, the month where on average people are not wanting to go see a violent/gory type of film due to the holidays...this movie was probably a step away in terms of quality from going DTV. Almost like AVP2.

I hope this December it proves me wrong and I love it...but sorry no amount of "OH, we had reshoots" or this or that is going to hide the real and obvious reason why it was pushed.

 

[TheVileOne]

December 5th is BURIAL for The Punisher. Plain and simple. I mean I don't like it because I like Lexi Alexander's work a lot, and I think this really means the studio doesn't have faith in it.

Lexi Alexander alluded to the holiday time placement in her blog. I have a feeling this will be her rude awakening to doing her first Hollywood, studio movie I suppose.

 

[Figs]

December 5th is BURIAL for The Punisher. Plain and simple. I mean I don't like it because I like Lexi Alexander's work a lot, and I think this really means the studio doesn't have faith in it.

Lexi Alexander alluded to the holiday time placement in her blog. I have a feeling this will be her rude awakening to doing her first Hollywood, studio movie I suppose.

That's what I'm saying. I guess that would have been the short and sweet way to have put it in my previous post. t:

Just to be sure, to all the hardcore Punisher fanboys I'm really crossing my fingers for this movie and hope it's enjoyable. So don't think I'm a hater which my previous post might have made me look like.

 

[citizenpain]

This one of the most hilarious, ridiculous things I've ever read. citizenpain, I'd love for you to fill us in on what all these movies that appeal to depressed, lonely people are. Look at the history. The movies that make the most money over the holiday season are either family movies or big event fantasy movies or big name blockbusters. Movies like this tend NOT to do well over the November/December period and that's a fact. AVPR. Blade Trinity.

The fact of the matter is this, smaller level dark and violent shoot 'em up or action pictures tend to NOT do very well over the holiday season and that's a fact. The holiday season, Thanksgiving-Xmas is typically one of the biggest moviegoing seasons of the year. Why? Because more kids and families are on vacation and its a ton more kids and families going to the movies. That's the industry philosophy. They don't have this "depressed people over the holidays are going to TOTALLY love this."

I'm going to say right now, putting this movie in December is one of the WORST moves possible.

Look at what the three biggest movies from last November/December to see my point.

that is one of the most hilarious, ridiculous responses i've ever read, thevileone. of course family films are what's most marketable/appealing during the holidays, but that doesn't mean that there isn't an audience for the punisher in december.

you later mentioned lexi's blog... did you even understand it?

"They also moved our release date to December 5th, which is, according to my reps, a much, much better date. I myself would have thought that people will think twice about going to see an extremely violent movie the closer it gets to Jesus’ B-day, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever other holy holiday you’re celebrating. Well, the box office records prove different and instead, all you sick ****s get more blood thirsty that time of year. (And I say that with lovingly affection, cause I’m relying on all the sick ****s to show up)."

and you said... "They don't have this "depressed people over the holidays are going to TOTALLY love this." but lexi's statement proves otherwise. research (and marketing) is a big part of any film, of course they wanna exploit the depressed people over the holidays! this is hollywood, right? why do you think there's this recent surge of violent and even some horror movies coming out during the holidays?

you say movies like this tend NOT to do well, but lexi says otherwise. i think i'll go with her on this one. also, what's to stop a great movie from getting a good box office at any time? the thing about avpr and blade: trinity is that they both sucked hard. if warzone is good enough, it'll make money.

by the way, capitalizing WORDS doesn't make your ARGUMENT any STRONGER.

 

[S. Grundy]

Well, to be fair the counter programming of violent films in the holiday season is always kinda up in the air. Either the studio thinks they'll get more money moving it to December or they are just dumping it because they have little faith in it.

 

[The Shape]

it's different with the hulk... batman and punisher are seen by some as each other's marvel/dc equivalent. this pisses batman fans off because he's not a killer, and it pisses punisher fans off because he's not a pansy who trusts the law. anyway, like i said it was just a general observation.

I guess because you have a Punsiher avy, you must have a negative outlook on Batman movies. Oh, please.

I have nothing against the Punisher character or mythos. However, I'm not a fan of lackluster movies, much like the 2004 adaptation, so excuse me for being wary of this film. I'm not a hater, just a realist. There's no way you can convince me that a sequel to a 2004 bomb with an even lesser known cast, smaller budget, awkard release date, and almost no anticipation (outside of us nerds) will be a big hit.

Hey, I hope the movie kicks ass. Box office receipts didn't stop me from seeing the last one, and it probably won't keep me away this time because I'm a comic fan. But you've got to look at the facts, and this push-back appears to be the final nail in the coffin, as far as box office goes. You guys are banking on this film being so good that it will be a big hit, but c'mon now...

 

[TheVileOne]

that is one of the most hilarious, ridiculous responses i've ever read, thevileone. of course family films are what's most marketable/appealing during the holidays, but that doesn't mean that there isn't an audience for the punisher in december.

There isn't this mythical lonely depressed audience that goes to see movies like this in November and December. You still can't come up with movies like that that perform very well in the holiday season.

you later mentioned lexi's blog... did you even understand it?

"They also moved our release date to December 5th, which is, according to my reps, a much, much better date. I myself would have thought that people will think twice about going to see an extremely violent movie the closer it gets to Jesus’ B-day, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or whatever other holy holiday you’re celebrating. Well, the box office records prove different and instead, all you sick ****s get more blood thirsty that time of year. (And I say that with lovingly affection, cause I’m relying on all the sick ****s to show up)."

and you said... "They don't have this "depressed people over the holidays are going to TOTALLY love this." but lexi's statement proves otherwise. research (and marketing) is a big part of any film, of course they wanna exploit the depressed people over the holidays! this is hollywood, right? why do you think there's this recent surge of violent and even some horror movies coming out during the holidays?

I was referring to the initial part of her statement.

All I have to ask, what box office records prove that this movie can get an audience in December?

What violent horror movies are coming out and performing very well over the holidays?

you say movies like this tend NOT to do well, but lexi says otherwise. i think i'll go with her on this one. also, what's to stop a great movie from getting a good box office at any time? the thing about avpr and blade: trinity is that they both sucked hard. if warzone is good enough, it'll make money.

Good movies don't automatically always translate into good box office. That's a fact. Many people would argue against AVPR sucking. But it was a dark, violent hard R rated movie without a very big budget and a December release.

by the way, capitalizing WORDS doesn't make your ARGUMENT any STRONGER.

So don't do it.

Once again, I challenge anyone to show me some recent movies released in the November/December period like Warzone that have done very well.

 

[citizenpain]

american gangster, scream 2, bram stoker's dracula, interview with the vampire, ransom, sleepy hollow, the last samurai, the green mile...

all movies that were released in november/december that either had a good opening and/or went on to make a good profit. not all those movies may be as dark and violent as the punisher, but they are all rated-r.

also, there's i am legend which opened to $70 million but that was pg-13, however still pretty dark and violent.

 

[The Shape]

american gangster, scream 2, bram stoker's dracula, interview with the vampire, ransom, sleepy hollow, the last samurai, the green mile...

all movies that were released in november/december that either had a good opening and/or went on to make a good profit. not all those movies may be as dark and violent as the punisher, but they are all rated-r.

also, there's i am legend which opened to $70 million but that was pg-13, however still pretty dark and violent.

Pretty much all the movies you named are movies with big budgets and big names. Seriously, look up those movies if you haven't seen them and take a look at the names. As for Scream 2, it was actually an anticipated sequel to a financial and critical success, unlike this Punisher.

And yes, I Am Legend was huge, but then again...any movie with Will Smith is a guarenteed smash these days.

 

[citizenpain]

Pretty much all the movies you named are movies with big budgets and big names. Seriously, look up those movies if you haven't seen them and take a look at the names. As for Scream 2, it was actually an anticipated sequel to a financial and critical success, unlike this Punisher.

And yes, I Am Legend was huge, but then again...any movie with Will Smith is a guarenteed smash these days.

yes, yes, tom cruise and denzel washington and will smith are not ray stevenson. they're immediate draws, i understand that. i was just asked to name some dark and violent movies that have done well during the holiday season.

i still don't agree that this is like immediate box office death for the punisher. the date was changed to move it away from fierce competition, giving it a chance to make more money. why would the studio move a film to a date that will knowingly kill its chances of making a profit?

 

[S. Grundy]

Yeah, pretty much what I said, either the studio thinks it will make more money on this date or they have no faith in it and are just dumping it in December.

It may do good it may not, it's just a waiting game.

 

[The Shape]

yes, yes, tom cruise and denzel washington and will smith are not ray stevenson. they're immediate draws, i understand that. i was just asked to name some dark and violent movies that have done well during the holiday season.

i still don't agree that this is like immediate box office death for the punisher. the date was changed to move it away from fierce competition, giving it a chance to make more money. why would the studio move a film to a date that will knowingly kill its chances of making a profit?

Was it moved to escape the "fierce competition", or to simply do less damage in theaters, die quietly, and move to home video quickly to reap the benefits there? We don't know.

Either way, I still can't see it having an opening larger than $20 million.