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Having seen what other people think of PROME and its box office prospects on opening weekend, I had another look at the all-time R-rated
Posted by: accountant_4_Jesus (a.k.a del_SJW_accountant_4_Jesus) on Jun 03, 16:21
Ā opening weekends. Of those in the top 10 (the grosses ranging from almost $92M to just over $50M), only one of them could actually be classified as a sci-fi movie. Yes, it currently holds the top spot with almost $92M, but it was a sequel to a revolutionary and game-changing sci-fi movie that was HUGELY anticipated, and came out within 4 years after the release of the original. If you'll remember, PROME is set in the Alien universe and the last Alien movie tanked at the box office because it wasn't well-received (I've never seen any of the Alien movies, I'm just going by what people on here have said about it). Interestingly enough, looking back at the details of that movie, I can understand now why it tanked. It was written by Joss Whedon. Enough said. Anyway, the point that I'm trying to make here is that generally in the sci-fi genre (just speaking from previous box office track record), if it is R-rated, unless it is hot on the heels of a huge breakout hit that redefines the genre, there won't be enough up-front interest to get the opening weekend into that top 10 R-rated opening weekends. Sci-fi can be a tough sell, especially when it is rated R. Generally what happens is if it is rated R, a lot of people think it's too "risky" or too "out there" to want to go see it, which makes a dent in its box office potential. The fact that PROME also has the sci-fi/horror tag (even though it may not be justified, after reading some of the reviews on here) just adds to the "stigma" that most normal moviegoers would see attached to the movie, thereby avoiding it. The point of my comment here is basically to say that R-rated sci-fi is always a tough sell, but when it's branded as sci-fi/horror it's a really tough sell, and in my personal opinion, I don't think that it will clear $55M opening weekend.
Having seen what other people think of PROME and its box office prospects on opening weekend, I had another look at the all-time R-rated
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 16:21
I agree with your analysis. Now as to legs, I'm wondering, would they depend on it keeping its 3D screens for long? {nm}
slappydavid
Jun 03, 16:30
I honestly can't see it having much legs, to be honest.
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 16:41
In regards to your unnecessary Whedon slam.....
{nm}
austpow
Jun 03, 17:20
If they had made the ending he wanted, which was the aliens landing on Earth for the final battle, it would have been good.
{nm}
austpow
Jun 03, 17:20
It's not unnecessary.
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 17:41
He also was uncredited cowriiter of Speed.
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austpow
Jun 03, 18:19
I think I established my point fairly well though that generally, if Joss Whedon is involved, it will bomb or disappoint.
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accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 18:32
As with Avengers?
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Facto
Jun 03, 18:56
I said generally. That means that there are exceptions to the rule, and I gave reasons for that in my previous comment.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 18:59
I saw that only after. My desktop died tonight, and laptop died three weeks ago. Really odd. Using really slow android/phone now. Blows.
{nm}
Facto
Jun 03, 19:17
Well, he has been busy creating/writing/producing/directing a bunch of tv shows since the late 90's, so that kinda curtailed his output.
Paul2k
Jun 03, 18:32
The reason why I'm not a fan of his is because almost none of the projects he's involved with I actually like.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 18:33
Curiousity on my part urges me to ask what youv'e seen of his, and what you didn't like about it/them. And I fully respect your opinion. :)
{nm}
Paul2k
Jun 03, 18:39
Your curiosity shall be satisfied. ;)
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 18:58
I'm hardly a geek and I loved both Buffy and Angel, not to mention Firefly and Serenity. Whedon is cerebral, Whedon is God.
{nm}
Facto
Jun 03, 19:23
I'm not going to start a religious argument with you, but I will say that you are wrong in your last statement.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 19:30
There's no accounting for taste. As for who God is, no one knows - but PROME deals with it. Cool for godless Brits, might upset Americans.
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Facto
Jun 03, 19:37
And I should also add that the attitude of Whedonites (example above) adds to my dislike of his work.
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accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 19:34
Whedon's atheist? I don't know him well, only like what I mentioned, haven't seen it all. I.e. I'm no Whedonite.
{nm}
Facto
Jun 03, 19:44
Someone who says "Whedon is God" is a Whedonite, whether or not they care to admit it.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 19:49
Perhaps, if they mean it:-) From me, it was tongue-in-cheek, and a pun. And PROME-related.
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Facto
Jun 03, 20:02
Ah, I didn't catch that. Sorry.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 20:05
A4J, if you'll forgive me it seems like you over-reacted to too small of a sample.
DTravel
Jun 03, 21:47
I remember they were early on in the piece, within the first couple of seasons, so obviously Joss would've still been involved at that time.
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 21:54
I watched the whole of Buffy last year or the year before ...
Jane_Citizen
Jun 03, 23:40
What do you make of the strength of its opening in the UK compared to SWHTM? (Per: DL).
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second gary
Jun 03, 16:42
Foreign markets usually watch more movies in 3D than North American moviegoers do, which would add to the box office there.
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 16:50
3.4 million vs 1 million...but both #sare peanuts compared to north america.
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forlorne
Jun 03, 17:25
if people want to see the movie (unless they are under 17 in the US, and even then . . . ), they won't care about the rating
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mickpix
Jun 03, 16:46
The only real "buzz" I've heard about this movie has been primarily coming from fans of the original Alien.
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 16:57
But will the teenagers be buying Madagascar 3 tickets and sneaking in to Prometheus?
{nm}
austpow
Jun 03, 17:22
If they do it won't help Prometheus' box office take any. It'll actually boost the box office take of Madagascar 3 instead.
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 17:53
Which is why I post ushers on the door to help them find Madagascar when they get lost...like those poor lost zoo occupants. =D
Catzan
Jun 03, 18:06
*in Maxwell Smart's voice* Good thinking, 99 ;)
{nm}
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 18:12
I'm not a fanboy. I'm a Fassbenderite, and I'm always hungry for smart sci-fi.
Jane_Citizen
Jun 03, 22:18
Are you a Fassbenderite because of his acting ability or...?
accountant_4_Jesus
Jun 03, 22:29
Ehh, a bit of both ...
Jane_Citizen
Jun 04, 21:23
Good analysis. I have to agree. I want this to be good, but I just can't see it doing that well.
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Tanker
Jun 03, 16:46
The next step is to admmit you are in denial. I'm not quite there yet, myself. :)
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Jane_Citizen
Jun 03, 22:19
^^frick, admit. Sticky fingers.
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Jane_Citizen
Jun 03, 22:20
Unfortunately, I am a fan boy when it comes to Ridley Scott...so I think it looks great whatever the marketing. ;-)
Catzan
Jun 03, 17:12
Prometheus is at 79% on RT, which indicates that it is good. Fanboys seem to love this.
rtbgamer76
Jun 03, 17:18
Its flixster number, though, is only around 37-38,000. And I think we have to concede A4J
{nm}
second gary
Jun 03, 17:31
... 's point that there is a difference between the immediate anticipation for MTRX2 and the more complicated anticipation...
second gary
Jun 03, 17:33
Hahahaha.. WELL now.. As for RT, look closer. Most fresh reviews are 3/5 or 4/5. Also, the movie *is* sci-fi/horror. No doubt about it.
{nm}
Facto
Jun 03, 18:14
Analysis may be correct, but I think $55M is too low. I think it will do in the mid to high 60's and possible low 70's.
elchan
Jun 03, 19:21
Few parents should want to see PROME - especially mothers. It's potentially very off-putting to them. When you see it, you'll know why.
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Facto
Jun 03, 19:29