Again, DVD sales can and should be factored into the entire figure, because realities overall are different nowadays...
That's absolutely true -- in fact, if anywhere, that is where
Star Trek is likely to shine. I do think it will be profitable at the box office but not as highly as people want to think, in part because I still think fans are driving the lion's share of the viewings (and repeats) right now, not that elusive "mainstream" audience. DVDs are a whole different ballgame, and
Star Trek should do very well in home video sales.
I'll tell you what, then. There were a hell of a lot more Star Trek fans than I thought there would be. In fact, more will end up showing up for this movie than any other (adjusted for inflation) since TMP.
What that tells me is there is a casual fan base out there now too; like the kind that say "hey that movie looks good" whether it be chick flick, action movie or sci-fi adventure.
In other words, the genre fans are making this film work, not just the Trek fans.
And the families that come out to be entertained.
The success is broader than it has been in a long time.