Posted on 10/07/2017 7:04:07 AM PDT by EdnaMode
4th Update, Friday 11:47PM: What a fascinating business. This weekend a $35 million-budgeted horror movie in its fifth frame will gross close to nine times its production cost with a running domestic B.O. total of $304.6M.
At the same time, a $155M-plus attempt to reboot a cult sci-fi franchise may not even make it to $100M by the end of its domestic theatrical cycle.
We are, of course, comparing New Line/Warner Bros.’ It and Alcon Entertainment/Sony’s Blade Runner 2049, and the latter is now looking at a three-day weekend of $36.5M, an awful start for this brilliantly crafted cinematic opus directed by Denis Villeneuve and executive produced by Ridley Scott. In fact, Blade Runner 2049‘s projected weekend isn’t that far from Scott’s summer misfire Alien: Covenant ($36.1M).
By some miracle, should Blade Runner 2049 get into the low $40Ms by Sunday, it’s still not a fantastic start for this tentpole size budgeted sci-fi film. One financier remarked tonight that they weren’t impressed by the early European B.O. results for the sequel, and that it’s now up to Asia to save Blade Runner 2049.
Those affiliated with the movie have been saying that $400M is the magic breakeven number, but Deadline sources believe that’s far from true. One source with knowledge of the budget claims it’s significantly higher in the $170M range versus the $155M being floated around. To Alcon’s credit they took advantage of foreign credits and rebates, shooting Blade Runner 2049 in Hungary. One insider even asserts they came in under their original proposed budget.
Nonetheless, this is truly a very depressing result for Blade Runner 2049: Here was a passionate attempt to revive a cult classic, be completely faithful to its original property from its mind-blowing production design to its sophisticated plot, and now kerplunk.
(Excerpt) Read more at deadline.com ...
Latest projections are $32-$33 million.
With inflation taken into account, the original will probably finish higher.
Saw Blade-runner 2049 yesterday. I recommend this film to anyone who enjoys going out to the movies. It deserves to be seen on the big screen.
Blade-runner 2049 is a visually rewarding film, particularly in the first hour. Design, sets, lighting, special effects and cinematography (again primarily in the first hour) are worthy of Oscar nominations. Sound and soundtrack, not so much.
The performances by the leads were solid, though sad to say, this film is too “big” for Harrison Ford at this stage of his career. (Or perhaps, like Nora Desmond, he has remained big while the movies have gotten small.)
The highest quality acting came from the supporting cast, in particular Carla Juri. Such a marvelous performance in a small part! Truly memorable.
Kudos also to Dave Bautista in the kind of role he was meant to play, and even also to Lenny James who sets aside his usual restrained film persona and showed the courage to undertake a less than flattering portrayal of a less than likeable character.
Sylvia Hoeks owes half her paycheck to Tatiana Maslany. It’s not that she didn’t do well in her role. She did a superb job. But the look, if not the personality, of her character was ripped directly from Maslany’s portrayal of Allison Hendrix.
MacKenzie Davis disappointed. Love her to pieces in Halt and Catch Fire, but here she was grossly underutilized.
Going out on a limb here and predicting: Ana de Armas is going to get a Best Supporting Actress nomination...and win.
I recorded the original a few weeks ago but have not watched it yet.
I vaguely recall the name, but I do not recall ever watching the original. It would have been on TV, if I had watched it.
I think that is where the money is nowadays.
But the new Star Wars episode 7 had the same Harrison Ford and made over 2 billion dollars worldwide. IMO, it’s more about the Blade Runner franchise. I felt that the original movie was conclusive as its own story, personally. Star Wars at least as the gimmicks of giving Han Solo a son and Luke a daughter.
“I never understood the need for a sequel to this particular story. I enjoyed Blade Runner, but was not a slavering fanatic. Oh well.”
Well then, “wake up, time to die!”
Thanks for the review Ben. I’m hoping to see it this weekend.
I’m surprised they didn’t get the sound right. Vangelis’s work with the analog synths totally made the first movie, along with the visuals of course.
The original Blade Runner is very very dated
As is any film with special effects
Making way more money than My Little Pony. Good enough.
Kinda figured it sucked when they embargoed reviews.
I do not need any more liberal whining in my life.
Just finished binge watching the last season of Orphan Black. Sorry to see it go.
There was nothing wrong with it. It just didn’t, to me, stand out.
Should have mentioned that it has gratuitous nudity and some pointless violence
Meh. That hasn’t stopped me from watching GOT and lots of other movies and shows.
Thanks, BenLurkin. Excellent review.
Well played!
In 30 years of screenings it hasn’t taken in as much and that includes mdnight for decades at ever rising prices.
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