Thanks for the info Sarafin, I'm a lazy bastard and I don't got time to waste by looking that info up.  I'm a very busy individual.  Now excuse me while I go back to play some video games.

Thans Karas, seems like a pretty lame reason but I guess they needed a reason to justify the hostages as part of the storyline.A

On Caps' topic, Captain America had way more competition than THOR. Thor only faced Fast Five which had a week in and practically faced nothing the following week. And if everyone at Fox was happy with First Class' performance domestically then Marvel has every reason to be just as happy considering the competition and the budget which was also smaller than TIH and 1st Class. Plus the secondary revenue streams these sort of films have can't be dismissed although we rarely know how much that may be. Still at 246mil and counting with several decent sized foreign markets yet to open I think the film will top 300mil worldwide when it's all said and done.
 

Apes was fantastic, and I can't wait for the sequel.

@ hobbs...I know I'm a huge Captain America fan, but I would have been the first one to diss the film if I thought it was sub-par and the first one to call it a bust if it had been so. I honestly do believe Marvel is very pleased with the film's numbers, and with Thor's numbers as well. Marvel knew Cap wouldn't be a big draw outside the states and also knew that to people who weren't comic book readers the character was either unknown or little known. The film's performed well, will sell well on DVD, and has helped set up Avengers for a very profitable May 2012.

Yeah, I'm disappointed that Captain America isn't doing better numbers.  They managed to make the budget of the film itself back this weekend.  I doubt they spent $100 million on marketing the way they usually do, since it was a foregone conclusion that the film's primary audience was Americans.  They probably spent about $50 million on marketing, instead.  After they make that, Marvel Studios starts to profit, and they'll make a lot more than $50 million when it hits DVD/Bluray.  It may not be the box office blockbuster they were hoping for, but the film should be in the black by the end of the year.  Profit is profit, even if you have to wait a few extra months for it.

 James Franco... is there nothing he can't do?

Looking forward to seeing it. Saw the remake of planet of the apes. Was not impressed. This one, on the other hand, seems better. Better story. Kind of doubting the CGI chimps. Still look realistic.

First off, lets not make more of this than it is.  No one said the phrase box office failure when talking about Cap...all I was pointing out is that Marvel was expecting bigger numbers especially domestics numbers.  Yes, the crowded July hurt the movie but I think it hurt it in the terms of Thor numbers not Iron Man numbers.  We'll never know for sure, just speculation at this point.  Considering what it made opening weekend, word of mouth could have really helped it take off but too many people where like eh, when asked if they liked it or not.  Most say it didn't suck but wasn't great either.

Just as a comparison I have a feeling word of mouth is really going to help Apes.

I'm sure Marvel is pleased with Capt A's numbers. And all these separate movies will just ensure Avengers is BO king next year. Anyone think Avengers can topple Avatar? Wise?

Now that I think about it - maybe GL is not suited to be a live action film. Looking at the trailers playing down under it reminds me of such classics as speed racer - very cartoonish. Could it have been given a more serious treatment? Dunno .....

Saw C&A and enjoyed it. It was not brillant or super great but I thought it was an excellent blend of Western & Sci-Fi in an enjoyable Saturday Matinee style. Sorry its not doing as well as expected. Propbably catch POTA next weekend.

Why is everybody saying Captain America isn't doing well? All indications are that it's making a tidy profit. Besides the Avengers, Marvel has already said they will do a sequel.