| # | Author | Message |
51
| Mr X
Fri 6/19/2009 1:01p | ***I think the confusion over Toy Stoy 2's part of the contract is that sequels distributed by Disney at that time were generally direct-to-dvd, so Toy Story 2 wouldn't count toward the 5-theatrical-picture-deal.
My guess is that Toy Story 2 was decided to be a theatrical release after the contract was signed.***
Honestly I'm with Disney on this particular point (assuming that the contract did indeed read "sequels don't count"). It was up to Pixar to include little details like that BEFORE signing the thing (a "blockbuster" clause or something). After all, even though Disney might have been churning out putrid garbage on videotape and calling it "sequels", it's not as though we'd never seen huge, blockbuster sequels before and the kind of money they are capable of generating. The Empire Strikes Back anyone?
Perhaps they just assumed that an animation sequel would never work. But if so, I don't know why they'd make such an assumption (TS2 obviously worked great).
No, I get the impression that Pixar was anxious (desperate?) to get signed up with Disney, can't blame em, and signed an unfavorable contract because they didn't want any trouble. Then, when things worked out in their favor, they tried to demand more. |
52
| TheRedhead
Fri 6/19/2009 2:17p | "Honestly I'm with Disney on this particular point (assuming that the contract did indeed read "sequels don't count")."
I'm going off of memory right now, but the contract didn't explicitly say "sequels don't count.' It did, however, say that each of the five films must contain a wholly original cast of characters. Therefore sequels couldn't count. |
53
| DlandDug
Fri 6/19/2009 3:33p | It's official: Going into its fourth weekend, Up has broken the $200 million mark. As of Thursday it made $202.7 million.
Here is where the last three Pixar features were at this point:
Wall-E (2008): $172.6 million
Ratatouille (2007): $154.6 million
Cars (2006): $168 million
As for breaking the $200 million mark, Wall-E did that at the beginning of week 6, Ratatouille in week 10, and Cars in week 5.
Incidently, Pixar's all-time box office champ Finding Nemo was at $207.4 million at this time in 2003. Nemo broke $200 million in the middle of week 3. Interesting to note that Up has already had a higher third weekend and third week ($46.1 as opposed to $44.3 million) than Finding Nemo.
It will be interesting to see what kind of box office Up will do this weekend. As for next week-- well, the kids are all out of school now, so there's potential for some very big numbers. (And I somehow doubt they'll be running to see Land of the Lost!) |
54
| leemac
Sun 6/21/2009 11:35a | Up managed to place third again this weekend with approximately $21m for a total gross of $224m. It will definitely overtake Star Trek to become the biggest movie of the year so far this week (c.$240m).
It should also benefit from kids/families getting locked out of sold-out shows of Transformers which opens on Wednesday.
And Touchstone had an out-of-the-ballpark hit with The Proposal. An incredible $34m weekend which should carry it through the Independence Day weekend.
Just shows how successful Touchstone can be with the right product.
:-)) |
55
| Jim in Merced CA
Sun 6/21/2009 12:21p | Just shows how successful Touchstone can be with the right product.>
True with any movie company. If Disney or Paramount or Warner Bros. or Lionsgate or Fox could all pick the 'right product' every time, they'd be making tons of money with every movie.
What UP shows me is that not every animated movie has to have kid-friendly junk for sale at the Disney Store in order to be 'successful.'
Maybe -- with the realities of the current economy -- Disney can be happy with a movie making $300 million at the box office. |
56
| Dlmusic
Sun 6/21/2009 12:50p | I'm not so sure from a merchandise standpoint that Up will be a total loser either. I think there's a lot of potential in Dug for cute items for children (and adults) and Carl could become a characters used in merchandise geared toward seniors.
While it certainly won't be Cars (honestly, what is?) I think it should be more of a merchandiseable film than Ratatouille.
And it's not exactly like Monsters Vs Aliens toys are flying off the shelves anyway. And I can't recall National Treasure having a huge range of action figures.
Some movies make their money at the theater, and there's nothing wrong with that. Cars 2 and Toy Story 2 I'm sure will introduce new characters and also revitalize what are already popular toy franchises. |
57
| alexbook
Mon 6/22/2009 9:34a | It looks like "Up" has passed "Ratatouille" and "Wall-E". Not too shabby.
The Top 20: PotC: Dead Man's Chest. Finding Nemo. The Lion King. PotC: At World's End. PotC: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Sixth Sense. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Incredibles. Monsters, Inc. Toy Story 2. Cars. Signs. *Up.* WALL-E. National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Aladdin. Ratatouille. Armageddon. Pearl Harbor. Toy Story. |
58
| TheRedhead
Mon 6/22/2009 9:44a | "Carl could become a characters used in merchandise geared toward seniors."
Great idea! He could be the new Grumpy. And he's actually a really appealing looking character. His squareness makes him a great anti-Mickey for the older set.
Of course, Disney would have to start marketing to people over the age of fetus, so I won't hold my breath. |
59
| Spirit of 74
Thu 6/25/2009 8:07p | <<And Touchstone had an out-of-the-ballpark hit with The Proposal. An incredible $34m weekend which should carry it through the Independence Day weekend.
Just shows how successful Touchstone can be with the right product.>>
Nah. Just shows what having Betty White can do for your box office! :-)
(P.S. Some crazy Spirit is asking for your presence on the HKDL board!)
|
60
| DlandDug
Sun 6/28/2009 11:40p | UP BROKE $250 MILLION AT THE BOX OFFICE THIS WEEKEND!
Even with the juggernaut that is Transformers in the theaters, Up managed to make $13 million and hold on to 4th place. It is within $3 million dollars of the total box office that Nemo had at the same time during its run.
Up is now Pixar's 4th highest grossing film, and will certainly pass Monsters, Inc ($255.8 million) this week to take third place, behind The Incredibles ($261.4 million) and Finding Nemo ($339.7 million). |
