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'Blade Runner 2049' Is A Box Office Disaster With Poor $13M Friday
- Thread starter ronaldthump
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Slackbladder
Member
Certainly. Directors of the calibre of Villeneuve don't make those kind of 'mistakes'. It also reflects the importance in having some idea of what cinematic language is i.e that every frame tells a story. I would guess the majority of the general public are probably oblivious to this language. Particularly if you're fed a diet of simplistic popcorn nonsense and flashy, shallow, noise laden films that are more like firework displays than a form of emotional and intellectual storytelling. There is little language in those films. It's mostly gobbledegook.
Not to say they're not enjoyable but they tell you little of what films can really say.
I don't know if mentioned already but in the UK the film has done quite well.
Ether_Snake
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It's just a George Lucas quote he said after he watched the first run of TPM where he was defending himself from how awful it turned out to the shocked producer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGRv8Zu1fU8
Warm Machine
Member
That's not at all what they were discussing. That is really disingenuous.
JesseEwiak
Member
I'm actually skeptical of this actually costing what's been thrown around.
If I remember, there was another long delayed sequel where people went, 'WTF how did it cost that much' and it turned out the studio was including the cost of every attempt at a sequel since the original in the budget.
I can easily see this being the same thing, with tens of millions of dollars of scripts, pre-production, pay or play deals, and other assorted studio BS being added to the final cost of the film for tax reasons.
If I remember, there was another long delayed sequel where people went, 'WTF how did it cost that much' and it turned out the studio was including the cost of every attempt at a sequel since the original in the budget.
I can easily see this being the same thing, with tens of millions of dollars of scripts, pre-production, pay or play deals, and other assorted studio BS being added to the final cost of the film for tax reasons.
Ether_Snake
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No, it really is what they are talking about. They're just being polite. George Lucas's reaction to Episode 1
He's trying to justify the bad direction.
Warm Machine
Member
Don't use the RLM shit to justify this. Go to the actual documentary. They are talking about the intercutting of the 4 action sequences at the end. Which they later edited together differently than the cut that they just watched. You can tell the edit changed because the script is different and the deleted footage shows what was taken out. McCallum is thinking about the editing problem as is everyone else. Lucas and Burtt are trying to figure out how to make the story more simple and understandable.
That was Superman Returns, they included the budget for all the pre-production work for Burton's aborted Superman Lives as well as JJ Abrams' Superman: Flyby.
Understanding the reference, I think the question still stands. What he described is clearly an intentional design choice, no air quotes needed. A good design choice.
The comparison isn't an apt one.
China moved the release up to October 27 from November 10, so it open up the same day as Japan while South Korea is or should be open up by now.
Is there any chance the film goes well by now? And by that I mean cover the production expenses and return at least a bit of profit?
I do not care about a sequel that much, I just feel sad that this masterpiece doesnt sell and the next typical Marvel thing will break all records....
it just isnt fair...
I do not care about a sequel that much, I just feel sad that this masterpiece doesnt sell and the next typical Marvel thing will break all records....
it just isnt fair...
Baron_Calamity
Member
Unless it catches fire over seas, no, there isn't any chance of that.
Optimistically, Blade Runner 2049 is tracking to finish its US run between 80-90 million. To just break even the international box office will have to be around $275 million.
Are the discussed 150 million not the Break Even Point? Since we still have China and some other Asian markets I thought that it is not impossible :-/
A movie generally needs 2x its production cost to break even, more if a significant portion of the revenue is coming from overseas (the cut is less favorable). It will probably do 250-300 total.
The cinema that i go to here in Austria just moved "It" back in the Blade Runner IMAX Slot. Really crazy to think that it just ran for a week in IMAX and even more strange that an "older" movie took over the showtimes.
Anyway, i absolutely loved the movie, one of the best experiences in years.
Does anyone know when the streaming release takes place? Since i can't see it a second time in the cinema that's at least something to look forward to...
Anyway, i absolutely loved the movie, one of the best experiences in years.
Does anyone know when the streaming release takes place? Since i can't see it a second time in the cinema that's at least something to look forward to...
John Carpeneter's the thing also flopped and was critically panned when it came out.
Ether_Snake
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That seems optimistic. I was excited maybe 175-200 total.
Ohhhh, ok thanks. That is unfortunate but I keep my fingers crossed for legs and Asia^^
ronaldthump
Member
#prayforbluray
its not going to recover from its bomb status with china and japan. You think eastern audiences will happily sit through a plodding western sci fi?
its not going to recover from its bomb status with china and japan. You think eastern audiences will happily sit through a plodding western sci fi?
I finally saw the movie last night and loved it.
What a treat for all the senses, and a clever sequel to the original. Masterclass level from Villeneuve, and hopefully a few noms at the Oscars (outside of visual FX).
Shame for the BO results so far... Even last night being a Wednesday night, we were only 6 in the theater. Hopefully it has long legs internationally.
What a treat for all the senses, and a clever sequel to the original. Masterclass level from Villeneuve, and hopefully a few noms at the Oscars (outside of visual FX).
Shame for the BO results so far... Even last night being a Wednesday night, we were only 6 in the theater. Hopefully it has long legs internationally.
DieNgamers
Member
I could see it doing well in south korea, maybe?
s_mirage
Member
I wouldn't be surprised if it had an impact on Dune, especially with other sci-fi flops this year. Some people say that Dune is more accessible for a general audience than Blade Runner, but I'm not so sure. While there is action, Dune can be quite slow and talky, and this could spell trouble for mainstream appeal: two movies could be too slowly paced (especially the first), but reducing it to one would involve gutting the story in a similar way to Lynch's Dune (though it could be done better). Also, IMO Dune could face similar audience appeal issues to Blade Runner: fans of the book flock to see it but it struggles with a more general, younger, and/or female demographic.
I can't pretend to know how film producers think, but if I was one I'd be nervous as hell about giving Dune a big budget. If anything, Valerian's horrific bomb would scare me more than Blade Runner's performance.
So I guess shitty blockbusters and Disney have completed the takeover of Hollywood
I cant believe how many people think there was something wrong with the movie and cant realize that they just simply dont like film noire
I mean a sci fi film noire should never have been expected to have widespread appeal
I cant believe how many people think there was something wrong with the movie and cant realize that they just simply dont like film noire
I mean a sci fi film noire should never have been expected to have widespread appeal
legendofjelda
Member
Oddly enough the theater I went to, which is normally not full at all, was packed to the brim last Saturday. Seems that was an exception. Oh well. :/
(I adored the film.)
(I adored the film.)
Violence Jack
Member
Got tickets for an 11:00 am showing on Saturday, and so far only 10 people showing up. The theaters aren't even near half full for it either that day. I'm hoping WOM spreads and more people go see this.
Started showing Thursday here in SK. I watched the very first showing at 8 50 am at my local movie theatre. Absolutely loved it. There were around 12 people in a 250 seat screen theatre. The movie theatre has like 8 screens but has dedicated only one screen for BR2. Hope BR2 does well here...
Oh god, this is a movie I would not want to watch sitting next to my parents..
:awkward:
There was actually quite an older crowd when I went.. both times
moltonasty
Member
Finally got tickets for the wife and I for the "real" IMAX in NYC (Lincoln Square) for this Sunday morning. Can't wait.
The theater looks like this though:
Sure it's 11:30 AM on a Sunday, but this seems kind of dire for a movie that just came out 6 days ago.
The theater looks like this though:
Sure it's 11:30 AM on a Sunday, but this seems kind of dire for a movie that just came out 6 days ago.
DieNgamers
Member
Well doesn't sound like it's off to a good start
... ;( I'm glad you liked it, though!
I'll try to rewatch it before it gets thrown out of the program in my theatre.Finally got tickets for the wife and I for the "real" IMAX in NYC (Lincoln Square) for this Sunday morning. Can't wait.
The theater looks like this though:
Sure it's 11:30 AM on a Sunday, but this seems kind of dire for a movie that just came out 6 days ago.
I've worked at cinemas before, unless there's a promo happening or some kind of weekly event, mornings are always like that.
I worked in fairly busy towns. Not sure if larger tourist trap places are different, though.
Finally got tickets for the wife and I for the "real" IMAX in NYC (Lincoln Square) for this Sunday morning. Can't wait.
The theater looks like this though:
Sure it's 11:30 AM on a Sunday, but this seems kind of dire for a movie that just came out 6 days ago.
Jesus man what is all the doom and gloom, Sunday before noon has to be one of the slowest times of the entire weekend for movies. Also, it is only Thursday.
moltonasty
Member
Lol yeah, that's why I mentioned the day and time, I'm sure that plays a big part. But I also checked the showing for 3:15 that day and it looks about the same. :shrug:
Check the showings after 18.00
Went to go see it today, so at least I can help with first week numbers. Granted, it was a Thursday at like 11:30AM, but there were only three or four people in the theater.
I hope it ends up having legs, but I can't say from the showing I went to. Shame that a film's "success" these days is all measured in a three-day period.
I hope it ends up having legs, but I can't say from the showing I went to. Shame that a film's "success" these days is all measured in a three-day period.
ElBoxyBrown
Banned
Well, just like language, cinema has an inherent grammar. The general public might not be able to identify the type of shot or angle or argue for their effects, but they are able to understand it. It's the difference between reading Dan Brown and Dostoevsky. There is little artistic language in those films, but there is still language. It's why we get so many inversions of shots now--audience's know what they are, so directors need to change the way they use them. But I agree that a diet of pop films will not totally prepare one to appreciate an art film.
Yep, we have fluffy bullshit like Thor: Ragnarok trending for a 100m+ opening weekend while a brilliant film crashes and burns. Americans have very poor taste overall.
More_Badass
Member
It has everything to do with a funny fun action comedy being way more appealing to way more people and even kind of cathartic in these fucked up times compared to a moody atmospheric artful sci-fi thriller drama about an oppressed group in a bleak dying future that can feel depressingly familiar to our own
Norwegian_Imposter
Member
CloudyTuba
Member
Very few. I'm free on Wednesdays, so I saw it Wednesday morning at 11. I was the only person there, which was great for me. Best seat in the house, no distractions.
Hey now, no need to bring down Thor to prop up Blade Runner. I loved Blade Runner 2049 and was engrossed by the atmosphere and the heavy questions about humanity it tackles. But I also can enjoy Marvel movies and from the trailers it looks like Ragnarok will be a well made, extremely fun and entertaining film. Nothing wrong with liking that.
Movies like Blade Runner have never been particularly interesting to the masses. The original was kind of a box office dud as well. That's not exclusive to America either. BR 2049 is not lighting the world on fire.
While this is true to a degree, I think the bigger reason is its slow, methodical pace and lack of action. Other movies with bleak futures did very good this year. War of the Planet of the Apes comes to mind. Even Transformers. I didn't see that one but it's about the potential end of the world, right?
There's also the unfortunate fact that Blade Runner (and cyberpunk in general) doesn't really have much sway in popular culture.
Camper Van Beethoven
Banned
The worst part of Blade Runner was having to see trailers for trash like Thor and Justice League
demosthenes
Member
Thor looks great.
Magic Mushroom
Member
I did my part. Great movie.
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