Posted on 04/04/2017 5:18:14 PM PDT by TigerClaws
Ouch.
“Man Down,” a war thriller with Shia LaBeouf, grossed just £7 ($8.70) when it premiered in a single U.K. theater over the weekend, according to ComScore. That’s the equivalent of selling a single ticket, given that the U.K. Cinema Association puts the average movie admission cost in the country at £7.21.
“Poor Shia,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at ComScore. “That opening could be in the Guinness World Records or something.”
The film played in one location, Reel Cinema in Burnley. It was simultaneously released digitally on demand, making the theatrical release something of an afterthought. It launches on DVD and Blu-ray next month, according to the Guardian.
Related Shia LaBeouf American Honey Variety Cover Story
How Shia LaBeouf Stopped Drinking and Found the Career He Wanted
After scoring in big studio blockbusters such as “Transformers” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” LaBeouf has focused on more indie projects with mixed success. He earned strong reviews for last year’s “American Honey,” but other work, such as “The Company You Keep” and “Charlie Countryman” have barely registered with critics or audiences. Instead, the media has focused on LaBeouf’s off-screen behavior, such several alcohol-related arrests (he got sober), and performance art that recently saw the actor participate in an art installation protesting Donald Trump’s presidency.
“Man Down” reunited LaBeouf with Dito Montiel. The two previously worked together on 2006’s “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints.” The film screened at the Venice and Toronto film festivals to negative reviews. It did better in the United States than it did across the pond, grossing $454,490.
Other stars in indie projects have seen similarly dismal results. Emma Watson got a wave of negative publicity last summer when her direct-to-video film “The Colony” only opened to £47 in the U.K., while Richard Gere’s “The Benefactor” kicked off to a dismal £25 in spring of 2016.
All the attention about the small grosses may have a side benefit. It could raise attention for the low-profile project.
“There could be a silver lining to those seven pounds,” said Dergarabedian.
That’s 7 more than it’s worth.
Who plays the part of The Man?
Hey, don’t care about his movies. He is an idiot liberal actor. A more important question is has he moved his flag again.
He will not divide us at the multiplex.
He will not divide us from our money.
“Man Down”.
Well named movie based on $7.00 in sales.
Who?
So Shia is in the UK right now?
LOOOOL!
Praise Kek.
They misspelled Shiat LaDouche.
Well, that was his silly flag showed up.
Uh...Johnny Depp...yeah, that's him, Johnny Depp!
Looks like more people were interested in Sharia LaPoof’s “Pu$$y hat” flag than his stupid movie. Oh, well. Shows that most people know what’s really worth their time and effort.
Sounds like his marketing team is pretty savvy.
I’m surprised they didn’t release it on VHS.
On who?
Good for the jerk.
Hopefully movie producers will realize he’s a negative draw. He can get a regular job.
Parent’s who are hippies, abusive dad. He went the hippie route so now he’s a loser with money.
I won’t watch him anymore. I have a do not watch list. Roberts made it about 10+ years ago. Something about Reps in the dictionary, reptiles and repugnant.
Shia, you need a new publicist. Big time. Not that I care, but those total earnings are pathetic. You may be open to amateur advice. This usually happens when no money or not nearly enough money was budgeted for a good marketing campaign. Any one halfway into promotion would have tried to take his new notoriety and turn it into free talking points about the new film. Even crack house rappers know how to do that. Make water outta that whine!
Of course, I have heard that some directors used to do this just to get a tax shelter for unnamed capitol losses.
I don’t know if that’s true or not.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.