Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble? (MOD CHALLENGE ITT)
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Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
It's too soon to say whether, or how much, trouble the Terminator franchise is in. Terminator Salvation is on its way to underperforming domestically (I think it'll end up at somewhere around $130 million domestic, compared to $150 million domestic for T3), but it has yet to open in international markets, and international box office will likely be its center of gravity. T3 made $433 million worldwide, with 65% of that coming from its international box office. I suspect T4 will see a similar, or perhaps even larger,percentage of its worldwide box office come from overseas markets.
Another aspect to consider is that the Terminator franchise is independently financed and then the distribution rights are sold to the studios handling distribution. Warners has bought the North American distribution rights for the last two films, while Sony has bought most of the international distribution rights. If Warners decided not to be involved in T5 then the Halcyon Co, which is the rights holder, could shop the film to other distributors.
Another wrinkle in the matter is that MGM has a 30-day window this month, because of a lawsuit they won, to step in and claim the right to finance and distribute the next film. Given the film's box office it'll be very interesting to see whether they exercise that right.
It's too soon to say whether, or how much, trouble the Terminator franchise is in. Terminator Salvation is on its way to underperforming domestically (I think it'll end up at somewhere around $130 million domestic, compared to $150 million domestic for T3), but it has yet to open in international markets, and international box office will likely be its center of gravity. T3 made $433 million worldwide, with 65% of that coming from its international box office. I suspect T4 will see a similar, or perhaps even larger,percentage of its worldwide box office come from overseas markets.
Another aspect to consider is that the Terminator franchise is independently financed and then the distribution rights are sold to the studios handling distribution. Warners has bought the North American distribution rights for the last two films, while Sony has bought most of the international distribution rights. If Warners decided not to be involved in T5 then the Halcyon Co, which is the rights holder, could shop the film to other distributors.
Another wrinkle in the matter is that MGM has a 30-day window this month, because of a lawsuit they won, to step in and claim the right to finance and distribute the next film. Given the film's box office it'll be very interesting to see whether they exercise that right.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
I've been giggling every time since I first heard that name, and even before seeing TS which was my first McG flick IIRC... and nothing much about it persuaded my giggles to stop.
...some game actors, soulless eye candy and plot holes you could stampede dinosaurs through. Other than that, it might have been Casablanca.
Actually, with the right director and story, anything is possible. The low expectations after this might even help.
QFT
I've been giggling every time since I first heard that name, and even before seeing TS which was my first McG flick IIRC... and nothing much about it persuaded my giggles to stop.
...some game actors, soulless eye candy and plot holes you could stampede dinosaurs through. Other than that, it might have been Casablanca.
Actually, with the right director and story, anything is possible. The low expectations after this might even help.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
I have to say, I'm not surprised. Actually, I figured it would do worse than it has. I feel the studio made a mistake in over estimating the box office appeal of Bale. His widely publicized rant on set didn't help matters. They honestly should have gone with an unknown actor (like Trek) and saved themselves some money.
Regarding James Cameron, how is he going to save the franchise? T2 was basically a big budget remake of the first film. I think its fair to say that he has nothing new to say as a film maker. I'd rather see someone new who has a real story to tell come in and make a 5th film.
If I would compare this film to anything, it would be Star Trek Generations, in that it was made purely to appeal to fans of the franchise. Like Kirk meeting Picard and non-Trek fans, non-Terminator fans have no reason to care about or want to experience some generic, post-apocalyptic war movie.
I have to say, I'm not surprised. Actually, I figured it would do worse than it has. I feel the studio made a mistake in over estimating the box office appeal of Bale. His widely publicized rant on set didn't help matters. They honestly should have gone with an unknown actor (like Trek) and saved themselves some money.
Regarding James Cameron, how is he going to save the franchise? T2 was basically a big budget remake of the first film. I think its fair to say that he has nothing new to say as a film maker. I'd rather see someone new who has a real story to tell come in and make a 5th film.
If I would compare this film to anything, it would be Star Trek Generations, in that it was made purely to appeal to fans of the franchise. Like Kirk meeting Picard and non-Trek fans, non-Terminator fans have no reason to care about or want to experience some generic, post-apocalyptic war movie.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
i didn't even know it was a viable franchise, per se, until i heard they were making a tv series out of it.
i didn't even know it was a viable franchise, per se, until i heard they were making a tv series out of it.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
I swear to God, between this and the Buffy thread, I'm going to start banning people who post stuff like this.
I swear to God, between this and the Buffy thread, I'm going to start banning people who post stuff like this.
MeanJoePhaser
Admiral
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
"TrekBBS was a great forum. But that was another life!"
I am surprised Salvation isn't doing better, it had one of the better trailers (the first one) and stars the lead of last year's biggest movie.
So how does TREK warp to greater success? Joe Public doesn't know McG from JJ Abrams.
"This is not the future my mother warned me about, in this future I'm not sure we can win the box office."
(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
I swear to God, between this and the Buffy thread, I'm going to start banning people who post stuff like this.
"TrekBBS was a great forum. But that was another life!"
I am surprised Salvation isn't doing better, it had one of the better trailers (the first one) and stars the lead of last year's biggest movie.
So how does TREK warp to greater success? Joe Public doesn't know McG from JJ Abrams.
"This is not the future my mother warned me about, in this future I'm not sure we can win the box office."
(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
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Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
As of right now I think Star Trek is the highest grossing film of the year. Naturally by year's end I'm sure it'll get pushed down a few slots but for a relatively moribund franchise to bounce back like that is truly incredible.
Sorry, that didn't really have anything to do with the topic, I just felt the need to share that.
Seriously though, back on topic, there's some time before the remainder of the summer's big blockbusters open up, like Transformers 2 and Harry Potter 6, so films that perhaps haven't done so well might have a chance to catch up, such as Terminator Salvation. For example, I haven't seen either Angels & Demons or Salvation because I've been so busy, but I do plan within the next week or two to catch them both. And see Trek again.
I think we should wait until the final domestic numbers are in before passing judgment. Wow, this is already reminding me of another blockbuster...
As of right now I think Star Trek is the highest grossing film of the year. Naturally by year's end I'm sure it'll get pushed down a few slots but for a relatively moribund franchise to bounce back like that is truly incredible.
Sorry, that didn't really have anything to do with the topic, I just felt the need to share that.
Seriously though, back on topic, there's some time before the remainder of the summer's big blockbusters open up, like Transformers 2 and Harry Potter 6, so films that perhaps haven't done so well might have a chance to catch up, such as Terminator Salvation. For example, I haven't seen either Angels & Demons or Salvation because I've been so busy, but I do plan within the next week or two to catch them both. And see Trek again.
I think we should wait until the final domestic numbers are in before passing judgment. Wow, this is already reminding me of another blockbuster...
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
Hahaha, you're welcome. I think this one might make you even dizzier, though. Just watch as Ledger's Joker goes back and forth like a pendulum...
Hahaha, you're welcome. I think this one might make you even dizzier, though. Just watch as Ledger's Joker goes back and forth like a pendulum...
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
T:S isn't an entirely bad movie... if you like explosions. A lot of them.
Whatever story/plot there might have been gets buried under one pointless explosion after another.
I can't bash McG completely because he produces my favourite TV show ("Supernatural") but T:S is a mess.
T:S isn't an entirely bad movie... if you like explosions. A lot of them.
Whatever story/plot there might have been gets buried under one pointless explosion after another.
I can't bash McG completely because he produces my favourite TV show ("Supernatural") but T:S is a mess.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
Aw, c'mon, the Buffy thread was fun.
I swear to God, between this and the Buffy thread, I'm going to start banning people who post stuff like this.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
the problem is it is losing money from day to day.
the problem is it is losing money from day to day.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
Movies then dip on Monday and continue to dip thru Thursday then a Fri uptick followed by descent.
You added/proved nothing with your statement.
Um, all movies perform that way post opening weekend. About the only time you might see an uptick from day to day is an opening Fri and then it goes up on Sat.
Movies then dip on Monday and continue to dip thru Thursday then a Fri uptick followed by descent.
You added/proved nothing with your statement.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
"You are capable of deciding your own destiny. The question is: which path will you choose?"
(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
I swear to God, between this and the Buffy thread, I'm going to start banning people who post stuff like this.
"You are capable of deciding your own destiny. The question is: which path will you choose?"
(USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST)
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Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
Even precious Star Trek is losing money "from day to day."
As for the Terminator franchise, let's have whiz-kid JJ Abrams reboot it. The first terminator goes back in time and causes Judgment Day, forcing Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor to watch so that they suffer. Kyle kills the terminator in a Cyberdyne brewery, but succumbs to his wounds. The pregnant Sarah Connor gives birth to John, who is running the resistance by age three.
Even precious Star Trek is losing money "from day to day."
As for the Terminator franchise, let's have whiz-kid JJ Abrams reboot it. The first terminator goes back in time and causes Judgment Day, forcing Kyle Reese and Sarah Connor to watch so that they suffer. Kyle kills the terminator in a Cyberdyne brewery, but succumbs to his wounds. The pregnant Sarah Connor gives birth to John, who is running the resistance by age three.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
Cameron wouldn't sign on to do it. He has said more than once that his version of Terminator is over (though, on the documentary about T2 3D on the T2 DVD he slips that the attraction was a stepping stone to his plans for T3).
I could see him making that request though, but he still wouldn't agree.
Cameron wouldn't sign on to do it. He has said more than once that his version of Terminator is over (though, on the documentary about T2 3D on the T2 DVD he slips that the attraction was a stepping stone to his plans for T3).
I could see him making that request though, but he still wouldn't agree.
Re: Is the Terminator Franchise in trouble?
I don't know what Cameron's thoughts are on TS, but judging on from his comments over T3, he seemed to like it. If he came back to the franchise, I can see him at least keeping things with T3 intact.
I don't know what Cameron's thoughts are on TS, but judging on from his comments over T3, he seemed to like it. If he came back to the franchise, I can see him at least keeping things with T3 intact.