Jumanji was really fun. It was similar to Aquaman in that it wasnt a "smart" movie or anything but I enjoyed it.
But yeah would have never predicted it would do almost a Billion before it came out
I'll netflix it the next time I'm in the mood, but I just picked up Tom Cruises epic 'The Mummy' from the bargain bin, so I'll be torturing myself with that first.
Also Us has been delayed a week to March 22. Smart move, gives it breathing space away from Captain Marvel.
Good move.
After seeing that scene preview of Black Mantis and pals chasing Mera and Aquaman, I knew the movie would probably be good enough and especially different enough from Justice League that it would do well. I was expecting around an eventual $750 - $850m worldwide gross going into opening weekend (China was already big, and buzz seemed positive). And here it is about to cruise to a billion. Damn. What a difference giving these characters to quality directors makes.
What does everyone think the Chinese box office will make of Shazam? Well, I guess I should wait for that second trailer before asking that question.
Shazam strikes me as hitting the same kind of cord as Venom if in a PG way. As long as it is entertaining in leveraging its concept I think it can do well in China. Not Venom well by any means, but it's not a movie that needs to have traditional metrics of quality to retain an audience.
But i doubt such <25M budget movies can be a hit blockbuster and the big studios are known by their blockbusters not from these low budget low fame movies. Just an alternate opinion
I agree. It's an odd duck though. These movies gross so little and appeal so narrowly that they end up flying under the radar of collective consciousness. In doing so they side step having to compete directly against mid tier and big budget more wide appeal films.
As long as these movies are at least passable and not absolute trash like Slenderman or the Emoji movie, people are thinking of Sony for their Venoms and Jumanjis first and foremost.
The GA won't even remember this stuff unless you are a group of box office nerds OR really enjoyed A Dog's Way Home/one of these films.
A lot of words today just to get to the point: As long as these niche productions are 'good enough' they stand little chance to negatively impact perception of the studio to a material end.
The other benefit is that you're forming relationships, early stream, by working with lesser knowns on what may be smaller projects for you, but potentially a big breaks (or lifelines) for them.
Who knows if the director of Miss Bala might go on to make an Oscar winning film for you. Alternatively, an actor you gave a big break to (relative to where they're at) could be grateful and willing to sign later in their careers.
It's also less of a risk for them to make, say, 7 of these than to bet it all on another Blockbuster (as long as they have bigger releases in the wings).
