Subj : Re: "Serenity" dropping off in the Box Office take...
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : Trouble
Date : Wed Oct 12 2005 12:15:26

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

Ken McElhaney wrote:

> Trouble wrote:
>> Ken McElhaney wrote:

>> > Given the generally positive reviews, I was kinda surprised that
>> > "Serenity" has dropped as much as it has;
>> > http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2005/FRFLY.php

>> Ahem, their international numbers are low, and the budget for the
>> movie was $39M not $50M targets for sequals are $80M (no idea where
>> that number came from though)

>> http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=serenity.htm
 
> Again, "The Chronicles of Riddick" plays into this as it was
> overfinanced and bombed.  Hollywood is interested in hits that garner
> hundreds of millions, not tens of millions of bucks and "Riddick" has
> soured them on financing sci-fi picks with limited potential appeal.

I know the VC mentality of Hollywierd is 1 in 10 movies makes enough money 
to finance the 9 that don't make any, plus a little extra for the 
investors.

However, the $80M figure came from somewhere, if it makes that much, then  
somebody will have enough interest to give them another  $39M for a sequel.

You also have to remember that the hundreds of millions movies are Xmas and 
Summer only, Flightplan is the only movie making decent returns right now 
and it won't hit hundreds of millions, the fall is the doldrums for cinema.

A lot of small pictures are being green lighted these days, small budget, 
unknown actors, easier to make back your upfront cash, and IF it becomes a 
runaway hit, so much the better.

> As for the $39M budget, I've read both figures (perhaps the $50M
> includes promotions?)

I've seen $39M in more places than $50 fifty I've only seen from the site 
you mention, I just saw it there two weeks ago.

-- 
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise.
Seek what they sought."
--Basho

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