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.
Disney losing 50 mil is like a c-note falling out of your pocket for the rest us, or something.
Fido looks crosseyed.
Well, since Ford went political, I can’t say this bothers me.
Almost digitally animated
Gotta be the worst movie I have seen in a theater, felt like walking out, but stayed thinking it might recover. CGI dogs all the way through, the physics were not right and the dogs had a lot of human traits and were frankly quite gay to boot.
When Harrison Ford threw the gold he found back into the river while preaching he did not need it, just made me sick.
Absolutely the worst movie ever.
Agreed! Why would they pay that kind of money. Wasteful.
"K" (Ryan Gosling): Is he [the dog] real?
"Decker" (Harrison Ford): Ask him.
--Blade Runner 2049
Regards,
That’s great!
They should have used a real dog & a CGI-ed Harrison Ford.
Winning Post! Too funny!
We had planned to go see it until Ford shot off his mouth about Trump. Wonder how many others stayed home because of that!
The CGI dog had an earring like Harrison Ford : )
Maybe publicizing it as a Trumphater movie by Harrison Ford wasn’t such a good idea.
He plays the dog?
Hollywood math is hard.
“ However, it carries a price tag above $125 million, meaning the film needs to make between $250 million and $275 million to break even...”
I saw that, and wondered whether that diference included profits for the venues that show the film.
Yep.
Yep.
A CGI doggie just ain’t the same as a REAL doggie.
Even a DOG can tell the difference!
It just don’t smell right.
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