$125 million was the original production budget. But after the dismal early tracking numbers started coming in last fall, there were reshoots, re-edits, and a new marketing plan. Reliable sources say the actual budget ballooned to $175 million. (Some say $200 million, but I’m going with the lower figure.)
Double your production budget to see what you need to make worldwide to get in the black.
Also take into account that “Noah” is doing better overseas than in the U.S. The studios collect as little as 15% of the tickets sold in some territories outside the U.S., so if you’re relying on the worldwide take to get into profit, that’s a steeper hill to climb.
And you’re right, the important Rotten Tomatoes number is always “What does the audience think?”
Thank you. That was illuminating