Box Office: ‘King Arthur’ Bombing as It Limps Toward $18 Million Debut

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/king-arthur-flop-box-office-bomb-1202425480/ ^ | March 12, 2017 | Brent Lang

[C19fan]

Every summer has them. Big studio movies launched with massive budgets that saddle into multiplexes looking to kick off new film franchise only to be greeted by the forces of audience indifference. Well, it looks like summer 2017 has its first official flop. Warner Bros.’ “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword,” Guy Ritchie’s attempt to make the Knights of the Round Table hip again, is collapsing at the box office. Based on its Thursday pre-shows and Friday afternoon mid-day grosses, the $175 million epic is looking at a disastrous $18 million debut. Those projections come from rival studios. Insiders at Warner Bros. think the film could still exceed $20 million, but even if it does, that’s still a very weak start for such an expensive picture. Barring a mid-weekend surge in enthusiasm for tales of gallantry, there will be red ink.

[reg45]

Of course the music was wonderful. You can thank Lerner & Loewe.

[reg45]

See #21.

[Nicojones]

Has Merlin been turned into a chick in this flick? Has Lancelot been converted into a black guy? Iit seems so from the trailer. If so, I’ll stick with Excalibur when I need my Arthurian fix.

[Sicon]

"As a Generation Xer there is only one, not counting Monty Python, Arthurian movie; Excalibur."

This Gen Xer agrees with your statement 100%!

"Are you sure he's got one?"

"Oh, yes, it's-uh vurrry nice-uh!"

[tumblindice]

There was a young blood named Sir Lancelot.
He shucked and jived and danced a lot.
..When he happened to pass
..A presentable lass,
The front of his pants would advance a lot.

[nickedknack]

The black dude? Sir Mix-a-Lot, of course:

Baby Got Back

.

[Nicojones]

Right back at ya, Tumbin -

Bravely bold Sir Robin
Rode forth from Camelot
He was not afraid to die
Oh, brave Sir Robin
He was not at all afraid
To be killed in nasty ways
Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin
He was not in the least bit scared
To be mashed into a pulp
Or to have his eyes gouged out
And his elbows broken
To have his kneecaps split
And his body burned away
And his limbs all hacked and mangled
Brave Sir RobiN
His head smashed in
And his heart cut out
And his liver removed
And his bowels unplugged
And his nostrils raped
And his bottom burnt off
And his penis split and his...
“That’s... that’s enough music for now, lads.”
Brave Sir Robin ran away
(No!)
Bravely ran away away
(I didn’t!)
When danger reared its ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
(No!)
Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about
(I didn’t!)
And gallantly he chickened out
Bravely taking to his feet
(I never did!)
He beat a very brave retreat
(All lies!)
Bravest of the brave, Sir Robin!
(I never!)

[Godebert]

"I just watched the trailer. Of course they have a black guy in 10th century England as a wise advisor."

The obligatory magic negro.

[moovova]

"Sidle" implies a stealthy or quiet approach. Not what they were hoping to do with a "blockbuster".

But, a good question anyway. "Saddle into multiplexes..." doesn't make cents.

Now, when my honey says it's time to "saddle up"...that's a hole different thing.

Words are fun. ☺

[brucedickinson]

the black guy is probably Odin

[tumblindice]

"That's, uh, that's enough music for now, lads... looks like there's dirty work afoot."

[Robert A Cook PE]

“Saddle” as a verb implies “forces to carry a heavy weight” and also add an “unwillingly” connotation.

So, the studio forcing a theatre to carry a an unprofitable movie for several weeks is (more or less) a proper use.

Though I suspect it was an unintentional proper use: an error in trying to use “sidle” (to squeeze in sideways” or to “slip in unnoticed”. )

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Google KING ARTHUR MOVIES and you will see the dozens of them from the past. Some good, some awful.
The good ones are...
EXCALIBUR, SWORD OF LANCELOT, KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE, THE BLACK KNIGHT, PRINCE VALIANT (Robert Wagner), SIEGE OF THE SAXONS (stolen footage from THE BLACK KNIGHT), A CONNECTICUT YANKEE, and many, many more.

Of course, my favorite knights in shining armor is not an Arthurian movie but EL CID.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

About thirty five years ago I saw a pulp novel on sale at the local store. BLACK VIKING. Yeah, it was that stupid.

[peeps36]

Boudica had plenty of courage and rage but she lacked the discipline and tactical knowledge of the Roman general Seutonius. The final battle was brutal. Boudica and her huge army thought they were on the verge of throwing Rome off the island. They even brought their families to watch the battle. Seutonius picked the perfect battle space and they slaughtered Boudica’s army and many of their family members. She must have been devastated after such a defeat. They say she killed herself with poison, which would be better then being captured by the Romans.

[Afterguard]

Forgive me for the non-sequitor, but If you really want to enjoy an Arthurian experience read Bernard Cornwall’s Arthur Trilogy The Warlord Chronicles: The Winter King, Enemy of God, and Excalibur.

[central_va]

The X-rated version, “Cum-a-lot” is much better.

[stanne]

I saw it before having read anything. As soon as I saw it was a Guy Ritchie film I was disappointed

It has the 3D fuzzy grey quality. They haven’t figured that out

The story goes into flashbacks constantly it takes so much figuring out but it’s not worth it. The story is an inferior adaptation

Waste of time Two whole hours

[wally_bert]

It probably has better producton values than this new movie.

[left that other site]

I distinctly heard “25 or 6 to 4” playing behind that Trailer!

I had NO Idea “Chicago” was that OLD!