Posted on 03/01/2020 5:28:20 PM PST by EdnaMode
Harrison Ford’s canine adventure “The Call of the Wild” is shaping up to be the latest box office dud for the Disney-owned 20th Century.
The film, based on Jack London’s best-selling novel, has made $45 million in the U.S. and $79 million globally after two weeks in theaters. That wouldn’t be a bad result, had “The Call of the Wild” cost a moderate amount to make and market. However, it carries a price tag above $125 million, meaning the film needs to make between $250 million and $275 million to break even, according to sources close to the production and rival studio executives. Given the unlikeliness that it’ll reach those ticket sales, “The Call of the Wild” is expected to lose around $50 million. TSG co-financed the film, which will help mitigate damages for Disney.
After Disney broke box office records last year with billion-dollar blockbusters like “Avengers: Endgame,” “The Lion King” and “Captain Marvel,” the studio is well positioned to withstand a hit or two. Since formally acquiring 20th Century Fox last year, Disney has jettisoned off a string of box office misfires. Most notably, the company blamed much of its $170 million quarterly write-down in August on “X-Men” spin-off “Dark Phoenix,” a film that cost $200 million and tapped out with $250 million globally. “Underwater” with Kristen Stewart, buddy comedy “Stuber” and the animated “Spies in Disguise” were also theatrical disappointments.
“The Call of the Wild” received mixed reviews from critics, though audiences seemed to like it more and gave it an “A-” CinemaScore. The film debuted to $24.8 million last weekend, ahead of expectations. Box office analysts believe it benefitted as Ford’s first major on-screen film role in years. “The Call of the Wild” declined 46% in its sophomore outing and brought in $13.3 million in North America, an average result for a family film. Internationally, “The Call of the Wild” has made $33 million from 50 foreign markets, representing 91% of its overseas footprint. However, Coronavirus has closed theaters in China, Italy and Korea, which could hinder ticket sales abroad.
“The Call of the Wild” was written by Michael Green (“Logan,” “Blade Runner 2049”) and directed by Chris Sanders. It follows a man (Ford) who crosses paths with a dog named Buck, who was captured from his California home and sold to freight haulers.
Good. What a liar and hypocrite.
He trashes Trump in Mexico thinking no obe recorded him TGEN comes to the USA saying we should NOT be political?
Hairy Son crashes again.
Karma is a bitch. Don’t piss off over half your audience, especially the ones who work for a living.
I enjoyed the 1935 movie with Gable, Jack Okie and Loretta Young. Of course I was a child when I saw it last in the 50s or 60s. Read the book by Jack London, but that was way far back too. Barely remember it other than I enjoyed it.
Awww, Darn. Snicker! Snort!
Maybe Harrison Ford should have learned to keep his mouth shut about the president just before his movie came out. I mean, heck, the only people likely to go see a classic film are pro-America people. He done upset them.
You’re serious? They didn’t even use a real dog?
How insane.
A few months ago, I saw Togo from Disney.
It was an excellent film and used real dogs.
First there was something wrong with Jack London, that he always has to kill off the dog.
Then, Harrison Ford dissed his main base, by his political rhetoric.
I don’t even care enough to post the Seinfeld “that’s a shame” gif
About 90% of business startups fail but the 10% that succeed makes it all worth it to the investors and venture capitalists. The problem is no one knows at the beginning who’s in the 90% and who’s in the 10%. Making movies is the same thing. To be in the movie business means having to handle failure 90% of the time and enough faith to keep trying.
That’s what I thought.
I recall sitting in my bedroom reading that very book.
Jack London’s book.
I got it from the neighborhood library.
He doesn’t care; he already made his money.
Reports of computer graphic “dog” turned me off. Never saw it.
....
Right?
What a foolish idea. ..a computer dog. ..
Hello. ..Red Tin Tin. Lassie, Old Yeller. ...I will never see this rubbish movie. ...Ford just needs to retire. .....oh wait, I heard he is coming back in Indy 5.
John Wayne’s dog’s were the best. ...just called Dog. ...and ornery too boot. ......
Screw anti-Trump Harrison Ford. Done with him.
The earnings are not that bad for a movie like this.
If they had to clear over $200. Mill in profit, they should have chosen a different leading man. Harrison is still well liked
by some, but let’s face it, he’s old.
There has to be some worthy new talent out there.
Yep Disney has made many great movies with dogs. ...all of them real. ...I am sick of this fake movie crap. ...time to go back to the B&W noir films. ...like on Sunday night.
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