So how does Wicked have a chance with how West Side tanked?- Page 3

[temms]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 10:49am

One article said that they released it when they did despite knowing all the reasons why it wouldn't do so well because they were able to get it into IMAX theatres, which as of today are all filled with Spider-Man. There's a deal in place to keep the movie in theatres longer than usual, knowing that it would be a slow burn and probably do better after the holidays.

I really wanted it to do well and intended it to be my first theatre film since shutdown but I haven't even seen it - been getting over a supposedly non-covid endless chest cold and so I've been staying away from people and now that I've missed the IMAX window and with Omicron I may just wait until home release. I bought a nice refurbished projector when this all started thinking it would be a while until I was in a theatre again, so I can get a pretty great viewing experience at home without any of the hassles. I suspect I'm not alone in that and more people are getting home systems that are comparable to a theatre screen. I don't know what that means for the health of the industry but $100 million budgets seem likely to shrink for all but the biggest tentpoles.

[Rainah]

Posted: 12/17/21 at 12:47pm

Jmuep2 said: "I think the bigger question is how didTick Tick Boomdo for Netflix? How did JamieorCinderellado for Amazon? If these films do well in streaming, then that provides studios additional incentive to continue to make them (but possibly at a more controlled cost)."

And an even bigger question - how does the films effect demand for the stage productions? Chicago's movie does a hell of a lot to keep the revival propped up with tourists who only recognize a handful of titles. Lin's been vocal about how the Hamilton proshot helped the stage show, despite all his fears.

If a Wicked movie keeps the stage juggernaut a hot ticket, it may be worthwhile in itself. It's known that most cast recordings lose money, but they're always done anyways as a way to publicize and preserve the show. With ticket prices so high, many need enough info to know they're going to like it before they commit.

[CJ14]

Posted: 12/18/21 at 7:57am

3 things

pandemic - guessing the typical WSS audience member is more concerned about protecting themselves than the typical Spider-Man audience member  

WSS opened earlier than most “holiday” movies - ie before most people have time off work or school

10 million in a weekend is a lot of money. Why does every movie have to make 100 million in 3 days? This narrative harms all movies. Maybe the budget was too high and therefore the expectation. Maybe a million people venturing out to the theatre during a pandemic to see a 60 year old musical remake is exactly what should’ve been expected. 

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 12/18/21 at 11:00am

CJ14 said: "3 things

pandemic - guessing the typical WSS audience member is more concerned about protecting themselves than the typical Spider-Man audience member

WSS opened earlier than most “holiday” movies - ie before most people have time off work or school

10 million in a weekend is a lot of money. Why does every movie have to make 100 million in 3 days? This narrative harms all movies. Maybe the budget was too high and therefore the expectation. Maybe a million people venturing out to the theatre during a pandemic to see a 60 year old musical remake is exactly what should’ve been expected."

No, ten million is not a lot of money. It's a lot to you because you can work your entire lifetime and not see that kind of cash, but for a big Spielberg movie it's a disappointing opening weekend. You can try to spin it any way you like, but it doesn't change the facts. This weekend will likely see even lower returns from the domestic box office, unless the positive word of mouth generates a miracle (which happens, but rarely). This film is, unfortunately, a beautifully made, well crafted box office flop. The hope now is that the foreign box office can at least generate enough income to break even, but don't forget, the hundred million production budget does not include the likely hundred million advertising budget, which will likely not be recouped at all.

[The Other One]

Posted: 12/18/21 at 11:18am

WICKED will not be a remake and has a shot at appealing to younger audiences.  

[saxpower]

Posted: 12/18/21 at 12:31pm

It still was the number one movie at the box office for opening weekend.  That may be partially due to a lack of competition- Spiderman is clearly going to be the big movie this weekend,  It will  still be interesting to see how Spiderman does when compared to other big movies that opened when the virus was more in remission. 

The movie's length may be affecting things in one way- it decreases the number of times it can be shown in one day (and can make for it harder to find a show time that works for a potential viewer). 

I haven't seen it yet due to my work schedule (6 days a week plus some work at home in the evening) and the fact I'm in a community music group which had conceers rhe opening Friday and Saturday nights and last night.  Had hoped to go tonight but just learned the showing that works for me is sold out.  Hoping to see it on Christmas now. 

 

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 12/20/21 at 8:48am

I feel like the Wicked movie will be coming out about a decade too late. 10-15 years ago, Wicked was everywhere. Now, a lot of people have seen it on stage but it doesn't have the buzz that Hamilton or other shows have. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/21/21 at 1:13am

Sutton Ross said: "It 100% matters.

We still do have rom coms."

…do we? can’t think of many the past decade that weren’t direct to streaming services

[CJ14]

Posted: 12/23/21 at 1:51am

I’m actually a film producer with several musicals in development including a Broadway musical I have the rights to. Promoting the narrative that it’s a flop isn’t going to help it or future musical movies. Official industry #s have it at close to 50 mil worldwide. It’s also set for a streaming release where it will prove a draw for its platform. The industry understands distribution is changing and regardless of what entertainment news publishes - this film will be nominated for and possibly win many awards pushing even more people to pay to see it streaming. Distro is a long game now - do they wish it made 100 mil in week 1 - duh - do they think it’s a flop - not yet by a long shot. 

[PinniGig]

Posted: 12/24/21 at 6:59am

I think West Side might pick up over the next few weeks or so. It was a bad time to open with so many shows re-opening in theatres everywhere around the same time, COVID making people on edge and many that decided to stay at home and not risk having to cancel plans made for Christmas. It's early days.

[Babe_Williams]

Posted: 12/28/21 at 2:17pm

PinniGig said: "I think West Side might pick up over the next few weeks or so. It was a bad time to open with so many shows re-opening in theatres everywhere around the same time, COVID making people on edge and many that decided to stay at home and not risk having to cancel plans made for Christmas. It's early days."

 

I think WSS would have done a bit better if they had also offered a straight to stream option on demand or to rent. I think they were hurt by the rise in COVID cases (a lot of potential audience probably skews older and more covid cautious). I also wonder how much promoting they did on social media platforms--my kids get off of their movie previews on youtube and online spaces and i apologize if they did do a lot of that. 

 

[Globefan]

Posted: 12/28/21 at 6:45pm

I would've thought that West Side having a young cast would've helped make it appeal more to young audiences 

[bk]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 6:28am

CJ14 said: "3 things

pandemic - guessing the typical WSS audience member is more concerned about protecting themselves than the typical Spider-Man audience member

WSS opened earlier than most “holiday” movies - ie before most people have time off work or school

10 million in a weekend is a lot of money. Why does every movie have to make 100 million in 3 days? This narrative harms all movies. Maybe the budget was too high and therefore the expectation. Maybe a million people venturing out to the theatre during a pandemic to see a 60 year old musical remake is exactly what should’ve been expected."

Well, just to keep it real, ten million on the opening weekend is a horrible gross for a 100-million dollar film. There is no way to spin that. The box-office disaster of In the Heights grossed more its opening weekend. 

[bk]

Posted: 12/29/21 at 6:36am

CJ14 said: "I’m actually a film producer with several musicals in development including a Broadway musical I have the rights to. Promoting the narrative that it’s a flop isn’t going to help it or future musical movies. Official industry #s have it at close to 50 mil worldwide. It’s also set for a streaming release where it will prove a draw for its platform. The industry understands distribution is changing and regardless of what entertainment news publishes - this film will be nominated for and possibly win many awards pushing even more people to pay to see it streaming. Distro is a long game now - do they wish it made 100 mil in week 1 - duh - do they think it’s a flop - not yet by a long shot."

You say you're a film producer with a bunch of musicals in development and yet you seem to not understand how movie box-office works. You think West Side Story had made 50 million worldwide as of the time you made your post on December 23rd?  It's worldwide gross as of today, December 29, is 36 million and change - its overseas numbers are as poor as its domestic numbers and they're not going up. It may get to 50 million someday and perhaps you'll think that's a fine gross, but it isn't for a 100-million dollar film that spent an amount equal to that on promotion. This film would have to make well over 300 million to even approach breaking even.

[MagicalMusical]

Posted: 12/31/21 at 12:53am

A lot of kids and teenagers were obsessed with Wicked so 20 years later they could be depended on giving the film a huge turnout from their nostalgia.