Value of Star Power

[SiddFinch1]

I guess I must be in the minority, but I have never gone to a movie because a particular actor was in it. Even as a kid, wanted to see movies based on previews, word of mouth, was it a part of a Franchise such as Superman, Indy, Rocky, Trek, Star Wars, etc.

But I never remember wanting to see a movie just because an actor was in it. I knew early on that every actor makes their share of flops, bombs and "artistic" movies etc that I would not want to see.

So my question is, is there any actor or actress out there that would bring a non-Trek fan into a Trek movie?

Is it just me or would a cameo or even a movie starring Damon, Crowe, Cruise, Ford, Hanks, Jolie, or whoever else bring in any non-trek fans?

 

[Kegek]

Yes, stars equal more audience.

No, I don't go to films just because an actor's in one. I do if it's just made by an auteur I like, or if it looks interesting, or if I've heard good things. But plenty of people do go to a movie on that criterion.

Stars are good, but on the other hand, don't overdo them. We'd hardly want The Greatest Story Ever Told, a movie which has a cameo by just about every Hollywood star kind of overwhelmed its Biblical narrative.

So, stars good, overkill bad.

 

[RookieBatman]

You know, I regularly become interested in a movie purely because of who's in it, but I don't usually actually go see it based on that. I'm a fan of Christian Bale, so I've become interested in Rescue Dawn and 3:10 to Yuma, but I'll still probably wait for the video. I do often get videos based purely on who's in it, though (because I can get 'em for free from the library, and I can check reviews to see if they're total crap).

 

[Neopeius]

I think the value of Star Power lies less in the 2x point multiplier, and more in its ability to get you through difficult songs.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I'll go to a movie that has, say, Robert Downey Jr or Joaquin Phoenix because I think they're interesting, watchable actors. But sheer name value, such as Tom Cruise, doesn't matter to me. Tom Cruise in a certain role might be a draw however (he does better with complex, dark roles like Collateral or Magnolia than straightforward hero roles).

I'm pretty sure that Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe would bring in people who otherwise wouldn't see a Star Trek movie. And as long as their roles are minor or they are right for the part, I wouldn't care.

 

[Sharr Khan]

Depends for me.

I tend to watch Bollywood films because they've an actress in them that I might like but the same doesn't follow for me with most other films.

Now I've nothing agianst adding a bit of "star power" to a film to get it some attention provided said "star" is bringing something more then his face to the table.

Sharr

 

[Lord Garth]

I try to decide whether or not I'll see a movie by judging the premise and the preview... but I'd be lying if I said I didn't see or was interested in seeing a few movies only because of who was in it. Any movie with Jodie Foster for instance because I can relate to characters who have good instincts but have to go through so much before anyone will finally listen to them if they do at all.

 

[DanTheGrey]

Minimal. I'm more interested in whether or not they can act, regardless of their status as a "star" and the material that they're given to work with. I will not see a movie based solely on who stars in it. It is a secondary concern to me compared with story.

Sometimes making a big deal about who stars in a film is a way for me to get concerned about the movie. I'd rather have "A fantastic film that includes" rather than "So and so in another film"

 

[EyalM]

Star power does have an effect. While a lot of people won't go see a movie just because X and Y are in it, but it will draw attention to it, which is often enough to turn a movie to a hit.
Having big names will also make a movie look more main stream, something extremely important for a trek film.

 

[seigezunt]

some times. It depends on the star. Some movies I will AVOID because it has a certain star (e.g., Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis).

 

[RookieBatman]

Don't be knocking Bruce Willis!

 

[RAMA]

SiddFinch1 said:
I guess I must be in the minority, but I have never gone to a movie because a particular actor was in it.

Me either, though having an actor I like is definitely a plus in a movie. A lot of people DO go to see certain stars. I would say one or two well known contemporary stars will give ST an extra $50-75 million over and above its usual $80 million. GOOD word of mouth and JJ Abrams/story buzz might add another $50-75 million.

 

[DeafPoet]

I've never plunked down money just based on an actor's appearance. But like others said, I'll definitely take a closer look at a movie's buzz due to that though. For instance I usually wouldn't give a shit about a Hulk movie and didn't even see the last one. But Ed Norton's going to be in it so at least I'm paying attention now even if I'm not first in line at the box office.