Posted on 09/08/2016 12:45:52 PM PDT by simpson96
Ben-Hur? More like Ben-Horrendous.
The ancient tale directed by Timur Bekmambetov is officially the biggest bust of summer 2016 and is on track to lose an epic $120 million or more, according to sources close to the film and multiple box-office analysts consulted by The Hollywood Reporter. The Paramount/MGM release has grossed just $54.1 million to date at the global box office since its mid-August debut, including a dismal $25 million domestically. While it has several major foreign markets yet to open, the film is fading fast and will have a hard time getting past $75 million globally, say knowledgeable sources.
Ben-Hur cost nearly $100 million to make before a major marketing spend. The loss is calculated when comparing box office and marketing costs against box-office film rental and revenue from ancillary revenue (home entertainment and television).
MGM will take the majority of the financial hit, since it put up more than 80 percent of Ben-Hur's budget and much of the marketing spend (it did minimize some of its exposure by selling off rights in select foreign markets). Paramount's loss is pegged by sources at a relatively modest $13 million.
An MGM rep declined comment on the exact amount of its loss on the film.
(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...
Can’t they come up with some new ideas? Here are some off the top of my head—I give away for FREE to use.
1. The Storm Birds. A WW II movie about German Pilots gathered together—her greatest aces—to fly the Me 262 Jets and defend the Fatherland. Too Little, too late. Most of the pilots were not pro-Nazi. Toss in a love interest—instant hit.
2. The Alabama, The story of the Confederate Raider and her use of tricks to keep one step ahead of the Yankees. Until her last shootout with the USS Kersarg (sp). Film it in the Gulf of Mexico and Europe.
3. Terror on the Yazoo—a story of the CSS Arkansas in the Civil war, her construction and defense of Vicksburg. How she almost snatched victory from defeat.
4. Jenny Lind Tour. About the Swedish singer who captivated America in the 19th Century—and her PR man—PT Barnum. Hookum and history of the greatest pitchman in American History.
5. Carson Naiper of Venus. The Classic Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure on Venus—Jungles, strange men and woman, and high adventure.
6. Raffels, the Gentleman Crook. An anti-hero who robs from English Wealthy to feather his own nest—and do good—with his friend Bundy. A dark sort of Sherlock Holmes. Its been done but could be really funny.
7. Brick Bradford and the Time Top—a time traveler story from 1930s comic pages almost unknown today. Adventures in history. Could use all sorts of sets, locations etc...
GB has brought in 220 million world wide, it's pretty much dead at this point. It will be less than a million dollars take for this week. Production and marketing budget of about 270+ million. BUT the studios only get about 55 cents on the dollar for box office take. So they are netting only about 120 million of the box office. I highly doubt rentals will come anywhere close to making up the 150 million balance.
Apparently, it's the money. Films cost so much these days that it is hard to persuade banks or the studios to take a risk on an unknown concept. It's much safer to invest in a film that is a proven success. Hence all these remakes.
Why a remake? The last version (a good one) is still fresh in the minds of mature movie goers; and, if millennials were interested in the subject matter they could watch that one. A remake would not, and apparently did not, attract them.
He’s a big Obama supporter, and never repented.
I’ve heard it’s pretty decent, but I have a hard time getting past my ‘white privilege’ and paying Morgan Freeman for anything.
The money might have been better spent by restoring enhancing and the re-releasing the 1959 version. It was years after first seeing in in TV full screen that I finally saw it in the original CinemaScope 70mm format. The improvement was worth it.
And it moves along without torturing the audience, unlike the 1959 version.
Mind if I take you idea for rebooting The Godfather and running with it? I have a meeting to catch and if all goes well they may sign, I could cut you in for 0.0001% of net profit from domestic receipts for original theatrical release.
My monstrous dogs are attacking me now, demanding their nightly car ride, the last of their three daily car rides. Believe me, they are not spoiled. I’ll reply further later, provided they don’t eat me in the interim.
My monstrous dogs are attacking me now, demanding their nightly car ride, the last of their three daily car rides. Believe me, they are not spoiled. I’ll reply further later, provided they don’t eat me in the interim.
Why does CGI cost so much?
It is bits and bytes. Not bucks.
Yeah, I did and as I said it was GREAT, or at least really good. Too bad that the curmudgeons here on FR can’t get behind an excellent family movie like this one.
One thing all the naysayers seem to have in common is that none of them actually saw the movie.
Even the 1925 silent version had a great chariot race and naval battle!
In 1960, the Gary Moore Show did a skit on Ben Hur. You see what appears to be a woman, then the announcer says “BEN HIM!” and around turns Durward Kirby with the getup on.
The audience went wild with laughter and Kirby was actually embarrassed!
Ben-There, Dud-That
I’ve read that other Hollywood stars like Harold Lloyd, when done filming their own movie scenes for the day, would don a toga and sit for the crowd scenes in Ben Hur.
***unlike the 1959 version.***
Some really good movies were made way too long. Got them on DVD, watched them once. Now I fast forward to the battle scenes and chariot races.
<< Too bad. It was a great movie. >>
Agree, I enjoyed it very much. Intense scenes required covering my eyes yet beautifully done.
I think a Stuntman died when they filmed the Chariot Race in the original.
I think they actually left the footage in the Movie.
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