The Avengers What sort of MARKETING does THE AVENGERS need to bring in the GA that are not fans?

[Figs]

@ Quasimod0

Sigh. Not funny dude. (lol)


Kidding aside twilight end film could end up being the top grosser or The Hobbit.

Twilight is front loaded. It will make a grip of money opening weekend then proceed to drop considerably the second weekend on.

I also have to disagree with cherokeesam about Prometheus being #1 next year. Yeah...maybe for it's opening weekend but not for the summer/year. I'm excited for that movie, but it highly doubt it will break any records. The movie has an excellent cast, but it's because of that(as well as Scott directing), that fanboys are getting a bit too hyped up for it. I'm hoping it will be a great film, but I don't think it will pull in the members of the GA on a level that will beat out TDKR.

As for Avengers, if IM2 got up to $600 million WW, I think Avengers definitely has a shot at 1 Billion. Just a guess but I think it will come in around 700-800 mil at worst. WW of course.

 

[Shadowlord X]

Twilight is front loaded. It will make a grip of money opening weekend then proceed to drop considerably the second weekend on.

I also have to disagree with cherokeesam about Prometheus being #1 next year. Yeah...maybe for it's opening weekend but not for the summer/year. I'm excited for that movie, but it highly doubt it will break any records. The movie has an excellent cast, but it's because of that(as well as Scott directing), that fanboys are getting a bit too hyped up for it. I'm hoping it will be a great film, but I don't think it will pull in the members of the GA on a level that will beat out TDKR.

As for Avengers, if IM2 got up to $600 million WW, I think Avengers definitely has a shot at 1 Billion. Just a guess but I think it will come in around 700-800 mil at worst. WW of course.

True twilight may be front loaded but so was HP7pt2 and look how that ended up.

Twilight is definitely in the running for top grosser 2012 as is The Hobbit and tdkr. Like I said earlier the only question wrt tdkr is based around the fact that its a jokerless Batman film and really tdk's success was heavily HL joker dependent.

THE AVENGERS is a wild card at this point. As is THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN and whatever Pixar film comes out (Brave??).

 

[Raiden]

Twilight is front loaded. It will make a grip of money opening weekend then proceed to drop considerably the second weekend on.

I also have to disagree with cherokeesam about Prometheus being #1 next year. Yeah...maybe for it's opening weekend but not for the summer/year. I'm excited for that movie, but it highly doubt it will break any records. The movie has an excellent cast, but it's because of that(as well as Scott directing), that fanboys are getting a bit too hyped up for it. I'm hoping it will be a great film, but I don't think it will pull in the members of the GA on a level that will beat out TDKR.

As for Avengers, if IM2 got up to $600 million WW, I think Avengers definitely has a shot at 1 Billion. Just a guess but I think it will come in around 700-800 mil at worst. WW of course.

Neither Ridley Scott and Aliens are automatic box office gold. Ridley Scott will only be producing this movie (according to IMDB), and he didn't do that well with Robin Hood either, which he directed. As for Aliens franchises, with the exception of Aliens (directed by James Cameron), this franchise has seen more downs and ups. To declare that Prometheus will be the *the* event film of 2012 is rather misguided imo.

 

[Liam_H]

^Ridley Scott is directing it also.

 

[warcam]

I, too, would love to see The Avengers be a $1 billion blockbuster, as it does have the potential to reach that milestone. However, I'm also a realist. How much hype was there surrounding Tron: Legacy before it was released? How many people believed Thor and/or CA would easily make over $200 million domestically? Remember more than 11 years ago when people were predicting X-Men would be the biggest movie of the year? Just because the hype and anticipation surrounding a movie like this reaches a fever pitch among the fan community, doesn't mean the rest of the general public is going to share our enthusiasm. I do believe it will make at least IM2 numbers, but it's going to have to fire on all cylinders and then some to really get everyone's business, and that includes:
1) A compelling story with very few, if any, plot holes.
2) Character interaction that makes sense and makes us care. Simply putting all these iconic characters together on screen isn't enough.
3) SFX GALORE......not just s**t blowing up, but TRUE SPECTACLE. The kind that makes one go "How did they do that?" as opposed to "You could tell that was CGI."
4) Drama. Edge-of-your-seat excitement. Create the sense that anything can happen.

That's one thing I'm afraid TDKR has going for it that The Avengers doesn't. The fact that this will be the final film in a trilogy means ANYTHING can happen. Beloved characters may be killed off. With The Avengers, we already know that most, if not all, of the characters will survive as there are obvious sequels in the works. In that case, it's not a question of WILL Cap, Thor, or IM survive, but HOW will they survive?

I'm not a DC fan by any means. I didn't see GL. I couldn't give two sh**s about Man Of Steel. I don't go near the TDKR boards. I haven't been too impressed with the pics and footage coming out of Pittsburgh. However, the last movie I saw twice in the theater was TDK. I saw it opening night, then I went back by myself the next morning. There was just so much to take in, from the opening bank robbery, to Lau's capture, to the chase sequence, to Two-Face. And to say nothing of Heath Ledger's Joker. It was just a huge, well-made thriller that just happened to feature a superhero.
I hate to make the comparison, because it is apples and oranges, but that's what The Avengers needs to be in order to be the blockbuster extravaganza we all hope it is. I suppose this is more of a production issue than a marketing issue, but The Avengers has to be something HUGE that gets people everywhere talking, and not merely a (hopefully) 2.5 hour popcorn fest that is easily forgotten once you get home. Toys and TV spots and collector's cups will only get you so far.

Either way, I'll still have to go to work on Monday morning and pay my taxes.

 

[dony2012]

I never thought Transformer movies, starring the least talented Disney kid, would make the kind of bank that they do. The Avengers CAN be the biggest movie of the Summer. Marvel just needs to inject this film with Bay levels of adrenaline and than market it as such. I imagine Disney will take over more than just Marvel's marketing if this film doesn't have a Pirates of the Caribbean level profit margin.

Well, but Transformers is an established franchise that people know and love (for some reason).

The Avengers... Not yet. That's the difference.

There aren't any real A-rate superheroes in TA when it comes to big box office draw and success (with the exception of Iron Man of course).

And if Marvel Studios will advertise TA as Cap's movie and put Iron Man on the side lines which looks like what they are about to do, then I really don't think this movie could make over a billion.

 

[nogap87]

The first X-Men movie should have been one of the biggest films ever. But even by 2000 standards it looks like a slightly above average syfy channel movie. Marvel isn't cranking out masterpieces but just by looking at some of the set photos it's easy to tell that this movie has more going for it than Fox/Singer ever gave X-Men. TDKR has to have a fan-****ing-tastic villain because Heath's Joker was the only reason I could put up with Bale's bat voice.

 

[nogap87]

Well, but Transformers is an established franchise that people know and love (for some reason).

The Avengers... Not yet. That's the difference.

There aren't any real A-rate superheroes in TA when it comes to big box office draw and success (with the exception of Iron Man of course).

And if Marvel Studios will advertise TA as Cap's movie and put Iron Man on the side lines which looks like what they are about to do, then I really don't think this movie could make over a billion.

Too bad Marvel can't go back in time to the mid 80s and produce an Avengers cartoon. Word of mouth will be key for this movie and the only way to get that is to give the audience 1st rate action that's a cut above the rest in its genre. Disney is going to have to open their wallet pretty wide for this one and Whedon is going to have to find his inner Bay or Verbinski if the action is going to stand the test of time.

 

[warcam]

TDKR has to have fan-****ing-tastic villain because Heath's Joker was the only reason I could put up with Bale's bat voice.

I'm with you there. His "Bat-performance" was probably the worst thing about the movie. Plus I don't think Bane + Catwoman will make up for Ledger's Joker. Here's hoping Loki will go down in cinematic history as one of the best big screen baddies.

 

[Liam_H]

The first X-Men movie should have been one of the biggest films ever. But even by 2000 standards it looks like a slightly above average syfy channel movie. Marvel isn't cranking out masterpieces but just by looking at some of the set photos it's easy to tell that this movie has more going for it than Fox/Singer ever gave X-Men. TDKR has to have fan-****ing-tastic villain because Heath's Joker was the only reason I could put up with Bale's bat voice.

X-Men had a very minimal budget by today's standards, FOX wasn't going to invest huge money when the CBM movie franchise was still unproven outside of Blade and DC's big 2.

 

[dony2012]

This is a BRILLIANT analysis! Well done.

THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA:TFA are very good movies, and I think their audience and appreciation will expand greatly on DVD, Netflix, etc. Lots of people, especially overseas, prejudged CA:TFA and when they see this movie they will be impressed.

The best MARKETING convinces people of something they didn't believe before. The perception that this is THE MOVIE EVENT of the years is Disney's marketing to create.

There's only one problem with what you're saying... What if they'll not think like you, that Cap and Thor are good movies.

I know I personally didn't liked Thor and thought it felt like a TV movie.
It leaked an epic scope. I was not impressed by the action nor the way they dealt with the relationship.


I know some people felt the same.

And even though I liked Cap, I know some people think it's an average film and nothing more.

 

[dony2012]

I'm with you there. His "Bat-performance" was probably the worst thing about the movie. Plus I don't think Bane + Catwoman will make up for Ledger's Joker. Here's hoping Loki will go down in cinematic history as one of the best big screen baddies.

Ledger absent from TDKR won't effect the movie's success, people LOVED TDK (and Inception, that movie almost made a billion and didn't have Ledger. Show you how much people loves Nolan), they will want to go and see the movie especially since it's the end of the trilogy.

X-Men had a very minimal budget by today's standards, FOX wasn't going to invest huge money when the CBM movie franchise was still unproven outside of Blade and DC's big 2.

What he said.

Here's hoping Loki will go down in cinematic history as one of the best big screen baddies.

Let's not exaggerate. He will be great I'm sure, but I can't see him go down in cinematic history as one of the best big screen baddies, and there are far better villains in the Marvel universe.

 

[Liam_H]

The Ledger factor gave TDK the OW record but its mostly the movie quality itself that gave TDK its legs to over $500 million domestic. Also weak competition against TDK in subsequent weeks helped a lot. The curiosity of the team up in Avengers and the spectacle it promises is what will drive the opening weekend, but how good the movie is will determine how long its staying power is.

 

[nogap87]

X-Men had a very minimal budget by today's standards, FOX wasn't going to invest huge money when the CBM movie franchise was still unproven outside of Blade and DC's big 2.

Understandable but it was an underwhelming start to what has proven to be an underwhelming (yet profitable) franchise. Though I did like First Class.

 

[nogap87]

Ledger absent from TDKR won't effect the movie's success, people LOVED TDK (and Inception, that movie almost made a billion and didn't have Ledger. Show you how much people loves Nolan), they will want to go and see the movie especially since it's the end of the trilogy.

-Ledger was the main draw for TDK
-Inception made almost a billion dollars because it had that uniqueness that the first Matrix had
-Not sure if the GA is aware that this is the supposed end of a trilogy. And if they are they probably don't care.

 

[dony2012]

Is Will Smith still a big box office draw? I remember he use to be all over the place but I haven't liked any of his recent films and the last MIB sucked horribly.

Well, he used to be the biggest star in the world. Perhaps the only actor in Hollywood who can still bring people to see a movie based on his name alone.


But he didn't really do anything for several years, and his last film - Seven Pounds, wasn't that successful.


I think that since then, Johnny Depp and RDJ pretty much took his place as the worlds biggest stars.

 

[Liam_H]

Smith is still a pretty big draw depending on what type of movie he's in, Seven Pounds broke his streak of 7/8 $100+ million earners but it was still a success. The guy is taking a break now and trying to turn his kids into movie stars.

 

[dony2012]

-Ledger was the main draw for TDK
-Inception made almost a billion dollars because it had that uniqueness that the first Matrix had
-Not sure if the GA is aware that this is the supposed end of a trilogy. And if they are they probably don't care.

-No, he was the main draw for the first weekend, but it was mostly the movie quality that gave TDK it's legs like Liam_H said.

-You're right, BUT... that film caused more interest in Christopher Nolan from the GA.

-They are aware because it was said in the teaser and will be said again in the trailers.

"And if they are they probably don't care."

So they didn't care that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was the last HP film? Sure they did. It makes an impact especially for such a successful series of films.

And the X-Men movies were successful and especially when you count inflation, too.

And people LOVED X2, that is why the third movie had such a big OW, and if it was a good movie it would have made a lot more than it did in the end.

Smith is still a pretty big draw depending on what type of movie he's in, Seven Pounds broke his streak of 7/8 $100+ million earners but it was still a success. The guy is taking a break now and trying to turn his kids into movie stars.

Yeah, I guess you're right about that.

 

[nogap87]

-No, he was the main draw for the first weekend, but it was mostly the movie quality that gave TDK it's legs like Liam_H said.

Ledger was a big part of that movie quality. I would have more faith in TDKR being just as successful if Batman Begins and Bale weren't so 'meh'

-You're right, BUT... that film caused more interest in Christopher Nolan from the GA.

I'll give you that

-They are aware because it was said in the teaser and will be said again in the trailers.

Only the fanboys would remember what was said in a teaser that barely showed anything. You're right about the trailers.

"And if they are they probably don't care."

So they didn't care the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was the last HP film? Sure they did. It makes an impact especially for such a successful series of films.

Harry Potter is done. Batman will go on without Nolan.

And the X-Men movies were successful and especially when you count inflation, too.

And people LOVED X2, that is why the third movie had such a big OW, and if it was a good movie it would have made a lot more than it did in the end.

The X movies were a success but they are easily overshadowed by Spider-man, Pirates, and Transformers.

 

[Quasimod0]

I'm pretty sure the avengers will do well. Its a big movie. People will want to see it. Its already gettin good publicity. I can see it makin a ton of money

 

[cherokeesam]

The Ledger factor gave TDK the OW record but its mostly the movie quality itself that gave TDK its legs to over $500 million domestic. Also weak competition against TDK in subsequent weeks helped a lot. The curiosity of the team up in Avengers and the spectacle it promises is what will drive the opening weekend, but how good the movie is will determine how long its staying power is.

Avengers will open at #1, no doubt about it. But it runs into serious competition almost immediately. A week later, Tim Burton's Dark Shadows arrives....triple threat for goths and tweenies everywhere --- Burton, Depp, and vampires.

If Avengers manages to hold on to #1 and kick Dark Shadows to a #2 opening (very big "if"), then I can almost guarantee Avengers will hold the line for three weeks straight, until MIB III kicks off Memorial Day Weekend.

And three weeks in May at #1 would be awesome. It would give the movie a lot of legs, and possibly another shot in the arm come Memorial Day --- especially if Marvel/ Disney time their marketing blitz right for another round of ads that weekend.

Seriously, Dark Shadows is the one to beat. And, considering that Dark Shadows is WB (i.e., WB/DC), Warners is going to invest a lot into trying to take down Avengers on May 11.

 

[Liam_H]

Not seeing anything from Dark Shadows yet I'm not sure what type of movie they're gonna market it as. I think teens only care about vampires in Twilight, anything else I don't they pay much mind to. Depending on what kind of vampire Depp is playing it could pull in a good chunk of change.

I could easily see Avengers opening to $130-140 million opening weekend at least, and probably dropping to $50 million at worst the second weekend. Whether that's good enough to outdo Dark Shadows I'm not sure.

If Avengers manages to hold on to #1 and kick Dark Shadows to a #2 opening (very big "if"), then I can almost guarantee Avengers will hold the line for three weeks straight, until MIB III kicks off Memorial Day Weekend.

And three weeks in May at #1 would be awesome. It would give the movie a lot of legs, and possibly another shot in the arm come Memorial Day --- especially if Marvel/ Disney time their marketing blitz right for another round of ads that weekend.

Also I see Battleship opening a week later taking the #1 spot because if it also provides the spectacle, people will flock to it like Transformers. Even if it flops say around like $40 million, it would still beat out Avengers 3rd weekend depending on how it did the previous. So I don't see it having #1 for 3 weeks unless Battleship flops really hard, and Avengers having better holds than normal.

 

[Raiden]

Avengers will open at #1, no doubt about it. But it runs into serious competition almost immediately. A week later, Tim Burton's Dark Shadows arrives....triple threat for goths and tweenies everywhere --- Burton, Depp, and vampires.

If Avengers manages to hold on to #1 and kick Dark Shadows to a #2 opening (very big "if"), then I can almost guarantee Avengers will hold the line for three weeks straight, until MIB III kicks off Memorial Day Weekend.

And three weeks in May at #1 would be awesome. It would give the movie a lot of legs, and possibly another shot in the arm come Memorial Day --- especially if Marvel/ Disney time their marketing blitz right for another round of ads that weekend.

Seriously, Dark Shadows is the one to beat. And, considering that Dark Shadows is WB (i.e., WB/DC), Warners is going to invest a lot into trying to take down Avengers on May 11.

I think Dark Shadows will do well, but I doubt it'll become another Alice in Wonderland. Yes, vampires are big, and Depp is huge, but it's the lack of awareness toward the DS brand that I think will ultimately hurt this movie. Vampires are very popular on the tube, with Vampire Diaries and True Blood, but aside from Twilight it doesn't translate to box office winner all the time (like the recent flop Fright Night). And The Tourist showed that Depp can't turn everything to gold. But I do agree with you that if the Avengers managed to win its 2nd weekend, the outlook is extremely good.

 

[nogap87]

Priority #1 for the marketing team: Make Cap look less like a doofus.

I'm sure Evans will look better after some movie magic but no amount of concept art is going to change the fact that he's the weakest link when it comes to these recent set photos that have been hitting the web.

 

[Raiden]

Priority #1 for the marketing team: Make Cap look less like a doofus.

I'm sure Evans will look better after some movie magic but no amount of concept art is going to change the fact that he's the weakest link when it comes to these recent set photos that have been hitting the web.

I had some doubts about Evans playing Cap before I saw the movie, but his performance in it totally erased my initial misgivings about him playing Steve Rogers. I'm not going to harp on him again in The Avengers, and I think you should give him benefit of the doubt.