How far will The Passion climb?

data from BoxOfficeMojo.com, projections ^ | 2/28/04 | Vanity

[dangus]

Most perplexing of the criticisms of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of The Christ" is that he is profiteering off of Christ's suffering. After all, when it was first announced he was filming a Passion story in dead languages, most presumed he would lose his shirt. Yes, he has *gasp* marketed his film... any artist wants to ensure that his audience can see his work.

But when God offered Solomon fortune and wisdom, and Solomon chose Wisdom, Solomon received both wisdom and fortune. Mel's movie looks poised to make $100 million in its first weekend, and maybe even $300 million overall. Given its low production and marketing costs, that would be a profit of $260 million. So what are the most profitable movies of all time? Let's look at profits, considering only domestic take of 1st theatrical runs:
1. Titanic, $360 million
2. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, $349 million
3. Star Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, $300 million
4. Star Wars (Episode 4: A New Hope), $295 million
5. Jurassic Park, $257 million

[VRW Conspirator]

I love it. Hollywood will see squarely that the religion based themes actually produce profit. What a dilemma!

[Northern Yankee]

Why is it nobody criticized Speilberg for profiting off the dead in Shindler's List, or Cameron for the blockbuster, Titanic?

But now that Mel's getting his money back from The Passion of the Christ people are concerned about ethics in making a profit?

Please... spare me.

[dangus]

Hollywood has long deliberately sacrificed profit for their agenda. As of a couple years ago, R-rated movies account for 80% of films released, 70% of budget, and only 20% of theatrical revenue. An R-rated movie that makes a profit based just on its theatrical run is almost unheard of. Yes, even Terminator 3 lost over A HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS! The Passion of The Christ, The Matrix and Eight Mile are rare successes.

[Between the Lines]

I love it. Hollywood will see squarely that the religion based themes actually produce profit. What a dilemma!

One of the criticisms of the film 'The Passion', is that most who are going to see it, are not regular movie goers. Will Hollywood see this also and wonder how to get these new movie goers to come back?

[catholic]

I do not think that Hollywood is capable of putting out a movie of this spiritul quality for the good.They might be able to portray satan pretty well thought. The art comes from the heart and Hollywoods heart is full of drugs, porn, and alcohol.

[franky]

For those who saw the picture, Gibson's ending in the film opens up another film follow up and I hope he does.

[dangus]

Well, The Gospel of Luke DID have a sequel...

[dangus]

Another way to look at it...
Top "R"-rated movies:
1. The Matrix Reloaded, $282m (profit: $81m)
2. Beverly Hills Cop, $234m (n/a)
3. The Exorcist, $232m (n/a)
4. Saving Private Ryan, $216m ($116m)
5. Terminator 2: Judgment Day ($80m)
6. Gladiator, $187m ($45m)

[baltodog]

And then Hollywood will start showing Christ in their perspective....that's when things will get really dangerous.