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[Bobby Roberts]

But WHY are they like this?

I don't even fucking know.

Well, it probably ties into that Geek Culture thing that started ascending back in the late 90s and really took hold in the mid 2000s. Basically, once someone suggested that liking Star Wars was nerdy, that allowed a bunch of shitheads to culturally claim it in a way they couldn't otherwise (largely because it's like, the most popular fucking thing that's ever existed). So as the Geek Culture thing kept picking up steam, and people just sorta never challenged the idea a $20 billion dollar film series was "for geeks," Star Wars fans started doing that gatekeeper shit, and essentially expecting to be rewarded for having liked it before you all came around because "being a geek is cool now."

Combine that with a fucking ridiculous sort of persecution complex regarding the Prequel Trilogy as a result of so intensely tying their own personality to their enjoyment of a fictional universe, and you end up with a white hot angry core of a fanbase that resents that you like the films in a different way than they do, and resents when you DON'T like the films that they like, and is highly concerned that if you're going to come into the (biggest giantest most fucking inclusive as all hell) tent, you're going to have to abide by a few set rules.

(I did a whole show about this once)

 

[G-Fex]

It's pretty bad.

You should have heard the fucking temper tantrum some of the most vocal aspects of the fandom threw when they heard they wouldn't be able to buy new Slave Leia toys in 2016.

The most popular Star Wars podcast online did like, three straight shows on it, culminating in them bringing their WIVES on, ostensibly to say "it's okay that you can't stop fetishizing Carrie Fisher from 1983" and when they were like "maybe you guys have had enough out-of-context boner-stroking over a character who was more than this bikini" they got yelled at.

Just when I thought I heard the worst of it. Sounds awful and head shaking.

I don't even fucking know.

Well, it probably ties into that Geek Culture thing that started ascending back in the late 90s and really took hold in the mid 2000s. Basically, once someone suggested that liking Star Wars was nerdy, that allowed a bunch of shitheads to culturally claim it in a way they couldn't otherwise (largely because it's like, the most popular fucking thing that's ever existed). So as the Geek Culture thing kept picking up steam, and people just sorta never challenged the idea a $20 billion dollar film series was "for geeks," Star Wars fans started doing that gatekeeper shit, and essentially expecting to be rewarded for having liked it before you all came around because "being a geek is cool now."

Combine that with a fucking ridiculous sort of persecution complex regarding the Prequel Trilogy as a result of so intensely tying their own personality to their enjoyment of a fictional universe, and you end up with a white hot angry core of a fanbase that resents that you like the films in a different way than they do, and resents when you DON'T like the films that they like, and is highly concerned that if you're going to come into the (biggest giantest most fucking inclusive as all hell) tent, you're going to have to abide by a few set rules.

(I did a whole show about this once)

....

Y-yeah this is probably what I meant to say too

 

[GhaleonEB]

Holy god.

It better be your favorite movie of all time

It is. The viewings were also spread out over 6-7 months, mostly going with friends who hadn't seen it yet, or for repeat viewings.

I tend to watch movies I really like several times. I went to Fury Road four times this summer. Would go again if it was still in theaters now.

 

[kswiston]

Also, in light of that $41M Monday overseas (and European holidays), I think I can call $1B without China internationally. $41M was higher than Deathly Hallows Pt 2's record Monday.

$2B is looking pretty close to a lock. We'll need to see how high domestic gets to call Titanic's safety.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Just when I thought I heard the worst of it. Sounds awful and head shaking.

You should actually listen to it. They invite them down to their basement, introduce them as "the Real Housewives" of their show, make a blowup doll AND a "get in the kitchen" joke all in the intro, and then launch into the super-serious discussion topic of "how unfair is it that I can't buy new Slave Leia merchandise in 2016."

 

[LaNaranja]

I went at noon today and the theater was packed with people of all ages. It looked like opening weekend for a Marvel movie. Madness!

 

[Cheebo]

If someone told me 5 years ago the first director to topple James Cameron's hold on the #1 spot since 1997 would be JJ Abrams I wouldn't have believed it. Would anyone?

 

[Kagari]

I believe in you, Titanic.

 

[Toa TAK]

I don't even fucking know.

Well, it probably ties into that Geek Culture thing that started ascending back in the late 90s and really took hold in the mid 2000s. Basically, once someone suggested that liking Star Wars was nerdy, that allowed a bunch of shitheads to culturally claim it in a way they couldn't otherwise (largely because it's like, the most popular fucking thing that's ever existed). So as the Geek Culture thing kept picking up steam, and people just sorta never challenged the idea a $20 billion dollar film series was "for geeks," Star Wars fans started doing that gatekeeper shit, and essentially expecting to be rewarded for having liked it before you all came around because "being a geek is cool now."

Combine that with a fucking ridiculous sort of persecution complex regarding the Prequel Trilogy as a result of so intensely tying their own personality to their enjoyment of a fictional universe, and you end up with a white hot angry core of a fanbase that resents that you like the films in a different way than they do, and resents when you DON'T like the films that they like, and is highly concerned that if you're going to come into the (biggest giantest most fucking inclusive as all hell) tent, you're going to have to abide by a few set rules.

(I did a whole show about this once)

Link to said show?

I never understood why geeks/nerds pull the gatekeeper shit on other people who may have a passing interest in the thing they're into. Is there some lack of perspective going on? Like, nerds probably got beat up for wearing a Batman shirt 30 years ago, now everyone owns one, shouldn't that be a reason for celebration and being more open to everyone who likes whatever they're into?

 

[Jigorath]

Titanic was at like $1.8 billion in it's first run. It only got over $2 billion with rereleases. Force Awakens will pass the original run at least.

 

[Boke1879]

I don't even fucking know.

Well, it probably ties into that Geek Culture thing that started ascending back in the late 90s and really took hold in the mid 2000s. Basically, once someone suggested that liking Star Wars was nerdy, that allowed a bunch of shitheads to culturally claim it in a way they couldn't otherwise (largely because it's like, the most popular fucking thing that's ever existed). So as the Geek Culture thing kept picking up steam, and people just sorta never challenged the idea a $20 billion dollar film series was "for geeks," Star Wars fans started doing that gatekeeper shit, and essentially expecting to be rewarded for having liked it before you all came around because "being a geek is cool now."

Combine that with a fucking ridiculous sort of persecution complex regarding the Prequel Trilogy as a result of so intensely tying their own personality to their enjoyment of a fictional universe, and you end up with a white hot angry core of a fanbase that resents that you like the films in a different way than they do, and resents when you DON'T like the films that they like, and is highly concerned that if you're going to come into the (biggest giantest most fucking inclusive as all hell) tent, you're going to have to abide by a few set rules.

(I did a whole show about this once)

Your 2nd point is all anyone really needs to see in regards to the SW fanbase. Just watch how they attack someone that even enjoyed 1/10 of the prequel movies. It's a shame.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Your 2nd point is all anyone really needs to see in regards to the SW fanbase. Just watch how they attack someone that even enjoyed 1/10 of the prequel movies. It's a shame.

And on the flip, watch how someone who enjoys the prequel movies attacks you for daring to criticize them.

The whole "Basher/Gusher" verbiage that gained popularity online as a means to flatten and remove all nuance from any sort of criticism/praise? Dead certain you can source it straight back to online forums and their wrestling over The Phantom Menace.

At some point the fandom basically bought whole-hog into sunk-cost fallacy. Everything that comes out now has to justify all the time they spent before, otherwise they might have to stop and question just what the fuck it was they've been giving themselves an 20-year ulcer for.

Link to said show?

Here you go. It basically suggests this movie is going to be the best thing for Star Wars simply because the flood of new fans coming in will drown out the shitty ones who can't stop crying about the last 10 years.

 

[GhaleonEB]

I believe in you, Titanic.

It's going down, again.

 

[Drago]

So would it be safe to assume that TFA will beat Avatar's domestic record (if it has great legs beyond the holidays, which it probably will) but fail to best its (or possibly Titanics) worldwide cume?

 

[kswiston]

If someone told me 5 years ago the first director to topple James Cameron's hold on the #1 spot since 1997 would be JJ Abrams I wouldn't have believed it. Would anyone?

It's been a weird year. A year ago, would you have pegged James Wan and Colin Trevorrow to be the third and fourth directors to have a $1.5B hit to their credit? 5 years ago, Wan's biggest hit was saw at $103M worldwide, and no one even knew Trevorrow existed.

 

[3N16MA]

Also, in light of that $41M Monday overseas (and European holidays), I think I can call $1B without China internationally. $41M was higher than Deathly Hallows Pt 2's record Monday.

$2B is looking pretty close to a lock. We'll need to see how high domestic gets to call Titanic's safety.

Good. I can get a cookie for being right.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

So would it be safe to assume that TFA will beat Avatar's domestic record (if it has great legs beyond the holidays) but fail to best its (or possibly Titanics) worldwide cume?

We were just talking about that earlier. It's probably not going to catch Avatar. Not without it taking off like crazy in China (which is highly questionable) but it could top Titanic's worldwide depending on how strong the domestic is.

Basically, it'd have to clear 1bil domestic (probably closer to 1.2 domestic).

 

[Kagari]

It's going down, again.

 

[frankie_baby]

So would it be safe to assume that TFA will beat Avatar's domestic record (if it has great legs beyond the holidays, which it probably will) but fail to best its (or possibly Titanics) worldwide cume?

It's got the American in the bag, worldwide might be a struggle to beat avatar (still possible though) beating titanic worldwide is fairly likely though

 

[Jack The Nipper]

How do people watch movies 15 times or even 4. What is it about it?


I feel the allure of what happens is the appeal for me and 2 viewings can be hard for most.

 

[kswiston]

We were just talking about that earlier. It's probably not going to catch Avatar. Not without it taking off like crazy in China (which is highly questionable) but it could top Titanic's worldwide depending on how strong the domestic is.

Basically, it'd have to clear 1bil domestic (probably closer to 1.2 domestic).

For Titanic, $900M domestic would probably be high enough, unless overseas starts to drop fast this weekend, or China gets a Terminator Genisys level gross.

I don't really see any feasible way for it to catch Avatar worldwide. It's all well and good that Star Wars is starting to close the gap between it and Deathly Hallows' earnings after 6 days internationally, but Avatar made over $1B more than the Potter finale overseas. Better legs only do so much.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I don't really see any feasible way for it to catch Avatar worldwide.

Yeah, I mean... is there a scenario in which Europe goes completely batshit for it and that makes up for the relative "meh" of Asia?

2.7 bil is a fucking HUGE number.

 

[Kagari]

Yeah, I mean... is there a scenario in which Europe goes completely batshit for it and that makes up for the relative "meh" of Asia?

2.7 bil is a fucking HUGE number.

I'm surprised Asia has been lukewarm (lol) on it. I thought they liked sci-fi stuff?

 

[Branduil]

Yeah, with the relative strength of the dollar, TFA could only conceivably challenge #1 WW if it reached a truly insane domestic number, something like 1.2-1.5 billion. Even with its current record-breaking pace, it's hard to conceive of that. It would basically require having Avatar-like drops after the holidays.

 

[kswiston]

Yeah, I mean... is there a scenario in which Europe goes completely batshit for it and that makes up for the relative "meh" of Asia?

2.7 bil is a fucking HUGE number.

European grosses aren't high enough as it is to even match Avatar's gross in at least half of those countries. UK will probably get there. I'm not sure about Germany. France, Italy, Spain, and Russia will fall short. By a lot in a few cases.

South Korea and Japan alone will probably end up with a $175-200M deficit from Avatar's gross. That's going to wipe out most, if not all, of the domestic lead.

 

[Jack The Nipper]

I'm surprised Asia has been lukewarm (lol) on it. I thought they liked sci-fi stuff?

Depends on their marketing imo. Chinese are insanely influential. At least this is my feeling.

I've had many interesting experiences here


Hard to say they have been like warm when it hasn't been released in china. I don't watch TV here though but so far I wouldn't know about it if it wasn't for gaf.

 

[johnsmith]

I'm surprised Asia has been lukewarm (lol) on it. I thought they liked sci-fi stuff?

They aren't crazy about black people though.

 

[tiggerkiddo]

It's pretty bad.

You should have heard the fucking temper tantrum some of the most vocal aspects of the fandom threw when they heard they wouldn't be able to buy new Slave Leia toys in 2016.

The most popular Star Wars podcast online did like, three straight shows on it, culminating in them bringing their WIVES on, ostensibly to say "it's okay that you can't stop fetishizing Carrie Fisher from 1983" and when they were like "maybe you guys have had enough out-of-context boner-stroking over a character who was more than this bikini" they got yelled at.

Oh boy, makes me glad I get to miss out on silly things like this.

 

[kswiston]

They aren't crazy about black people though.

Their two biggest Hollywood franchises star Tyrese Gibson.

 

[friskykillface]

Chewie the god leading the money train

 

[duckroll]

I'm surprised Asia has been lukewarm (lol) on it. I thought they liked sci-fi stuff?

I don't understand it either! All my friends and family are super excited about it. I even had two Bandai Millennium Falcon kits and an X-Wing shipped to me last week along with some other kits I wanted, for a friend and my sis. All the IMAX screenings I tried to book for the movie was booked solid for the entire first week. But apparently it's making less money than Ultron even here?

?????????

That's why I'm really surprised!

 

[Cheebo]

I think we all know why TFA is the film to take down Avatar domestically.

Carrie Fisher. She is boxoffice gold.

 

[johnsmith]

Their two biggest Hollywood franchises star Tyrese Gibson.

Which one of these is he?

 

[3N16MA]

Episode VIII has WWZ 2, Cars 3, Kingsman 2, Wonder Woman, DM3, Uncharted opening within a month of its release.

Slightly more competition to cut its legs.

 

[kswiston]

Which one of these is he?

He's waiting in the car in the background.

EDIT: Tyrese Gibson will be the first to tell you that, if The Force Awakens starred Tyrese Gibson as Finn instead of Boyega, it would easily top Avatar worldwide.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Oh boy, makes me glad I get to miss out on silly things like this.

And people are like "man, how can you just back away from the community like that just as the new movie is coming out?"

And I'm like maaaaaaaannnnn....

 

[Toa TAK]

Here you go. It basically suggests this movie is going to be the best thing for Star Wars simply because the flood of new fans coming in will drown out the shitty ones who can't stop crying about the last 10 years.

Cool, gong to give it a listen.

...As soon as I'm done listening to the soundtrack.

 

[3N16MA]

WB has seen the receipts and that is why Tyrese will star in the next Green Lantern film.

 

[Gonzalez]

It's going down, again.

...And it'll rise again with its next re-release.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

Cool, gong to give it a listen.

...As soon as I'm done listening to the soundtrack.

Lemme know what you thought of it sometime next month, then.

 

[Kagari]

...And it'll rise again with its next re-release.

20th anniversary in 2017!

 

[duckroll]

WB has seen the receipts and that is why Tyrese will star in the next Green Lantern film.

As the sidekick Lantern.

 

[3N16MA]

...And it'll rise again with its next re-release.

Re-release in China every 5 years.

 

[Drago]

We were just talking about that earlier. It's probably not going to catch Avatar. Not without it taking off like crazy in China (which is highly questionable) but it could top Titanic's worldwide depending on how strong the domestic is.

Basically, it'd have to clear 1bil domestic (probably closer to 1.2 domestic).

It would need that domestic to clear Titanic or Avatar?

A billion feels like an actual possibility going by the crazy numbers it made yesterday and is looking to have made today, and will continue to make through Christmas weekend. It'll probably slow down too much sometime in January before it can make it there though, but we'll see

 

[opoth]

It's sad to see generalizations about a particular franchises' fans - all told, the bigger your "tent" the more likely it will be that it has an element that is going to be extreme and somehow be seen as an example of how most fans might feel about things, for some reason.

The prequels were divisive but I'd say most would agree that most SW fans accept their existence (and their flaws) even if they're not their go to movies from the saga. Some people get way too emotionally involved with the PT vs the OT. When I was a kid, Jedi was my favorite, Empire was slow and boring. As an adult, they're flipped. Tastes change. The PT might not be my movies but they might be the bridge to someone else appreciating the OT someday when their tastes change too. TFA especially makes me have some regrets about the PT and how it could've been better, but I'm not going to say that Lucas raped my childhood or anything - let's look at them as a cautionary tale on how not to make a SW film.

The Slave Leia stuff, it's a little out of hand on either side, it's weird that people would fetishize it, but I think it has its place in the world of merch. She was hot but it's nothing to get worked up about and make a podcast over. Maybe its not appropriate for an action figure at Toys R Us, but for a hobby shop or Comicon, why not? I really like the 3.75" figure that was included in that Revenge of the Jedi Death Star figure set that was released a few years back. It's a figure that didn't exist in 1983 with branding for a movie that didn't exist - just a cool piece of alternate history.

 

[Cheebo]

Episode VIII has WWZ 2, Cars 3, Kingsman 2, Wonder Woman, DM3, Uncharted opening within a month of its release.

Slightly more competition to cut its legs.

Don't be surprised if things start moving out of its way post-TFA craziness. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney would move up GOTG 2 to April or March so it's legs wont get killed by TFA.

 

[Gonzalez]

20th anniversary in 2017!

Holy shit that's right!

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

If someone told me 5 years ago the first director to topple James Cameron's hold on the #1 spot since 1997 would be JJ Abrams I wouldn't have believed it. Would anyone?

To be fair, when you're given Star Wars Ep7, you're being given more than a handicap. An original property is a different story to THE property.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

It's sad to see generalizations about a particular franchises' fans

It's sadder that that particular aspect of the fandom makes it so easy to generalize.

I'm not being particularly unfair, here. There's a lot more good than bad. But the bad is REALLY fucking off-putting, and unfortunately, large aspects of that bad have control of a megaphone. Or they used to. They're already getting quieter as floods of people not soaking in this shit the last 10 years start to enter the tent.

 

[Lifejumper]

Sooo uuhh.. Will it pass jurassic world ww?