D&D Movie/TV D&D Movie Hit or Flop?

[Jaeger]

but it's not an irrelevant point or an attempt to change the subject to point out that merchandising, streaming fees and pre-sales (the movie is apparently doing well on iTunes and Amazon already) all matter. And, more broadly, it's extremely likely that Hasbro, which produces endless terrible Transformers and GI Joe movies, is likely viewing at least part of the movie's cost as a marketing expense for the brand overall.

It's not an irrelevant point. It's just that "Modern Income Streams" have already been addressed.

Twice just by me, and Zardnaar has posted similar responses.

This:

Yes there are post-release revenue streams, but studio's rely on up-front box office earnings to quickly recoup their costs to pay the debt incurred in making the film, and to bank a big chunk of profit right off the bat.

From a studio's point of view, the longtail earnings should be all gravy. They shouldn't still be trying to recoup their initial costs.

That is why generally speaking, hit or flop status is still determined at the box office.

More:

Movies have always had "alternate income" streams since at least the early 80's.
Theatrical release. Then Rental and vhs/dvd sales. Then premium cable like HBO and Showtime. Then to Basic cable. Then to network tv.

And depending on the film; merch sales. Before then: Theatrical release, Tv runs, maybe merch.
So "alternate income streams" have been a thing for well over 40 years. Streaming/VOD is just a change of format.

And they have never invalidated looking at the box office take, and seeing whether or not the movie was a hit or a flop.

You also missed the part where I compared D&D's flop in-progress to the 2013 Pacific Rim Flop:

D&D is a Flop the same way that the 2013 Pacific Rim film flopped: The people that went to see it liked it, there just wasn't enough of them.

Pacific Rim was enough of a "fan favorite" that it did well enough on the back end with DVD's and rentals that they got a sequel greenlit on a reduced budget, and an animated series. (That the sequel Utterly Bombed is neither here nor there...)

A lot of what might happen with the property will depend on how much of an actual loss it takes during its theatrical run, and then what it does on the backend.

i.e. Even though a film may fail to break even, thus Flopping at the box office - there can still be hope for more IF it does enough on the back end.

Those are not mutually exclusive positions to take.

why everyone's so frustrated with each other.

Speak for yourself.

I'm here for the LOLZ.

I find posters intense reactions to the notion that the new elfmovie might be a flop at the box office absolutely fascinating...

 

[Jaeger]

Hasbro couldn't risk another cheap looking film like the 2000 movie. I'm betting they'd rather loose money on a good film and take a chance that it becomes a 'sleeper' hit than have another 23 years of "D&D will never have a good movie" memes.

I agree in principle.

I just think that they would have done better had they kept the same writer/Directors, but given them a more limited budget in the 80-90m range.

 

[Zardnaar]

Hasbro couldn't risk another cheap looking film like the 2000 movie. I'm betting they'd rather loose money on a good film and take a chance that it becomes a 'sleeper' hit than have another 23 years of "D&D will never have a good movie" memes.

Then a cheaper show like Shadow and Bone.

 

[OB1]

I agree in principle.

I just think that they would have done better had they kept the same writer/Directors, but given them a more limited budget in the 80-90m range.

To get there, they would have had to cut Pine, Rodriguez and Grant, replacing them with relative unknowns, or probably cut the entire Underdark sequence. It may have meant the film came closer to making back it's budget (assuming the same number of people bought tickets) but again, getting to black on the theatrical run likely wasn't Hasbro's primary concern, and exactly why they kicked in half of the production budget to get the film they wanted rather than the one Paramount thought cinemagoers would support.

 

[Zardnaar]

To get there, they would have had to cut Pine, Rodriguez and Grant, replacing them with relative unknowns, or probably cut the entire Underdark sequence. It may have meant the film came closer to making back it's budget (assuming the same number of people bought tickets) but again, getting to black on the theatrical run likely wasn't Hasbro's primary concern, and exactly why they kicked in half of the production budget to get the film they wanted rather than the one Paramount thought cinemagoers would support.

Tbf I don't think to many people go to the movies to see those characters.

Take away Pines franchise movies like Trek his movies don't tend to do that well.

Hugh Grant gaunt been that relevant in decades, Michele never really was shes a supporting actor.

They coukd get along more bang for buck casting relative unknowns in a TV show (see Got Season1 or Shadow and Bone).

 

[bedir than]

Take away Pines franchise movies like Trek his movies don't tend to do that well.

Yes, if you take away his half-dozen of very successful movies he's a failure

Hugh Grant gaunt been that relevant in decades,

Maybe to you, but to the movie going public his films have been doing quite well. He still is a draw on late night.

Michele never really was shes a supporting actor.

She's the highest paid woman in a series that basically hates women, sure. That doesn't mean she's a supporting actor, just that she fits ensembles well.

There's no way Honor Among Thieves would have gotten mainstream attention without that cast. It was basically perfect and set them up quite well for the future.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's not an irrelevant point. It's just that "Modern Income Streams" have already been addressed.

"Addressed" in the sense that "nuh uh" is addressing an issue.

Speak for yourself.

I'm here for the LOLZ.

I find posters intense reactions to the notion that the new elfmovie might be a flop at the box office absolutely fascinating...

Well, as you chuckle, Z doesn't appear to be enjoying himself.

 

[payn]

Tbf I don't think to many people go to the movies to see those characters.

Take away Pines franchise movies like Trek his movies don't tend to do that well.

Hugh Grant gaunt been that relevant in decades, Michele never really was shes a supporting actor.

They coukd get along more bang for buck casting relative unknowns in a TV show (see Got Season1 or Shadow and Bone).

Oh, we're doing this again?

 

[bedir than]

They coukd get along more bang for buck casting relative unknowns in a TV show (see Got Season1 or Shadow and Bone).

You know that Paramount bought the D&D TV series already, after working with Hasbro, et al on the move, precisely because they also wanted the small screen option?

 

[Zardnaar]

"Addressed" in the sense that "nuh uh" is addressing an issue.

Well, as you chuckle, Z doesn't appear to be enjoying himself.

Pretty much neutral tbh.

There's a few people who are vasucallyvrefusing to admit the movie is a flop. The rest of the world is either calling it a flop or even worse not saying anything at all.

Sure the movie might eventually make money but the opposite is true as well it might not.

Either way there's a 100-150 million dollar hoke someone has to pay for. Thars a lot for the backend to make up. Hasbro might be happy (I doubt they're that happy but who knows).

If Paramount has already paid for streaming rights or included as party if the deal they have a movie flop that's probably not going to do much for first clicks on streaming. It's basically a flop existing customers have the option of watching. If they haven't paid up they gave the option on water price they agreed to with WotC.

But Paramount ponies up 75 million and probably paid for most of the marketing. Probably funded via a loan.

Why in the 9 hills of Baator would they fund a sequel if Hasbros the one getting the benefits from brand awareness, merch etc.

They're on the hook for tens of millions they have to pay back to the bank.

That's why I don't think you're gonna get a sequel announced this month. I doubt you're getting a sequel anytime soon there may be another movie down the line.

If Paramount isn't keen (why would they) that's another 75 million plus marketing Hasbro has to pony up or convince someone else to pay for a sequel.

How do you shop that IP around?