The release date.

[Bigkid]

I read about this briefly on these pages last week, but, wasn't it reported that this film's release date is going to be released on the same date as ANOTHER big C2F? Which film was that, does anybody else remember which film that was supposed to be? It's driving me somewhat batty that I can't remember which one! And if there IS some sort of conflict, could this hurt the film's chances of scoring at the box office big time? Anyone have views on this? Please........SHARE!

[brokenstatue2001]

Originally, it was up against Batman Begins. I think that they both are still gonna open up on the same day. Also, Indiana Jones 4 was also gonna open on that day, too, but then it got pushed back. So, which movie would you rather see, Batman Begins or Fantastic Four?

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"Even homicidal maniacs have feelings." -Jon Stewart

[WC]

I think that more people will know about Batman and will want to see that instead of Fantastic Four. It's probably not a good idea for the FF movie to go head to head with Batman. The James Bond movie, Licence to Kill did just that - against Batman, Lethal Weapon 2, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - and it sunk at the box office, even though it was a long running franchise, all because there was more anticipation for the other 3 films. How much harder then, for the FF movie which has yet to be established, going up against a long-awaited Batman film?

Why not just reschedule it to be on the safe side? It's not like as if the FF is a powerhouse movie like Spider-Man.

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Meoww! Send in the clowns!

[norrinraad]

So far Fantastic Four is scheduled to open on July 1, 2005, same day as Indiana Jones 4. Batman Begins opens two weeks earlier, on June 17, 2005. Of course, these release dates can change in the wink of an eye as we all know.

I searched on google and so far there is hardly any information on Indiana Jones 4 so who knows if it will even be made in time. I don't think that film is the one we have to worry about. The buzz for Batman Begins is already incredibly high (based on the feedback I've been getting from general moviegoers). By next summer it's going to be at a fever pitch. Like Welshcat said, I can see Fantastic Four having a hard time competing with this.

On the other hand, Batman Begins may really whet the public's appetite for C2Fs, especially if it's as great as everyone thinks it's going to be. This could inadvertantly benefit Fantastic Four. Also, I would imagine most people who wanted to see Batman Begins would do so in the first two weeks anyway. Fans of this kind of film aren't really known for their patience and restraint. By the time Fantastic Four is released, Batman will most likely be drawing repeat viewers. And if Batman Begins doesn't strike a chord with audiences, it will have fallen off by about 70% or more after two weeks (like Hulk did).

I still think it would be safer to reschedule Fantastic Four to earlier in the season, but there must be a reason Fox is gambling on the current release date. After a marketing blitz and feedback from test screenings, I'm sure they'll make their final decision.

[Bigkid]

Well, to me, the most obvious reason that they want to open it on July 1, is because of the 4th of July Holiday, which means that the 1st will be on a Friday next year, considering that the 1st was on a Thursday THIS year. Although, if it's a LEAP YEAR next year, then we've REALLY got a problem! But I think that the opening of Batman Begins 2 weeks earlier, not on the same opening day as FF, isn't going to tank THIS film. Basically, moviegoers are like little kids at Christmastime, who have a LOT of Aunts and Uncles: They tear open the gift, gush about it for about 10 seconds, then want to move on to the next present. It's the same thinking here....... after 2 weeks of release for Batman Begins, people will be saying, "Ok, seen that, done that, now let's get a look at THIS one". And Indiana Jones 4 will take in the leftovers of people who couldn't get in to see either of the first 2 films. But also let's take into account OTHER films that might be coming out at about the same time as well. Which, I can't say that I know what those will be. But all in all, I don't think business will be hurt TOO badly by this release date. Of course, as the NOBLE NORRIN pointed out, release dates can be altered in the blink of an eye, what with what they are doing now by test screening audiences as the like.

[WC]

The FF doesn't have the same universally recognised status as Batman, Superman or Spider-Man. Therefore if it were to go head to head with Batman in the same opening weekend, more people would naturally flock to see Batman. It would also be more universally acceptable and cool to like Batman without seeming a comic geek, whereas liking the FF might require a slightly more specialist knowledge.

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Meoww! Send in the clowns!

[Bigkid]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Welshcat:
<B>The FF doesn't have the same universally recognised status as Batman, Superman or Spider-Man. Therefore if it were to go head to head with Batman in the same opening weekend, more people would naturally flock to see Batman. It would also be more universally acceptable and cool to like Batman without seeming a comic geek, whereas liking the FF might require a slightly more specialist knowledge.

</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WELSHY!
Yes, I can definately see your point on this, however, let me also point out..... the Batman film might be really hard to get into, even AFTER it's opening 2 weeks prior to the FF. So people who can't get in to see the Batman film, I feel, will get a chance to see the Fantastic Four. So, with this in mind, it's quite possible that the success (or failure) of this film is going to depend on word of mouth. But I think having 20th Century Fox as your movie studio releasing a film of your's, it's a pretty good certainty that they are going to have just as much of a media blitz on this as well as Batman Begins. I'm sure that the film's stars are going to be doing a lot of press junkets, late-night interviews, etc. I think the release date, when all is said and done, may not have to come into account here at all. Well......maybe a LITTLE bit!

[Bigkid]

Just thought I'd bring this back to the forefront: They have JUST officially changed the release date to July8th, and 20th Century Fox is adamant that they are not running away from "War of the Worlds". HMMMMM...... don't know about THAT one. But, as I was looking over some of my posts here on THIS topic, I did state that the success or failure of this film is going to depend largely on word-of-mouth, anyway. So I don't really think this is going to hurt it's chances of making a ton of dough. Particularly when you think about the million$ of advertising dollars that Fox has at it's disposal........ there is going to, I believe, an all out BOMBING of advertising in the 2-3 weeks before the release of this film like you won't believe.......and we'll all probably get a MUCH better trailer by that time accompanying the trailer for the final Star Wars film (because both films are properties of 20th Century Fox). You just wait and see!

[Znluvx]

So Fox blinked first, and pushed the opening of FF back a week.

Could it be because they aren't too confident in the film and believe it'll get trounced by Spielberg's "little" movie?

I think its more about winning the opening day box office. The studio has a better chance of opening really big, and potentially setting a record a week later. It gives the studio something to crow about ("#1 movie in the country")and makes back a bulk of the money that went into making the film (which is the trend lately - ie Hulk, Charlies Angels, Van Helsing).

[This message has been edited by Znluvx (edited 02-08-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Znluvx (edited 02-08-2005).]

[Bigkid]

Well, however the case maybe, I think it's this....... this film is in a better situation than most would think. Because, for one, it's the summer time, the young fan base is more accessable (considering that they seem to be going for a young appeal type thing with there being an x-treme sport angle in it too), and I think they can still pack in the crowds with a variety of age groups. Especially some of us on the tail end of the "baby boom" generation....... because we did, in fact, grow up with this comic. I think they are going to do just fine with their box office. And if the thing that is being debated is that the suits over at 20th Century got cold feet because of WOTW, well, then....... maybe it's not such a bad thing that they did. It makes sense to maximize as MUCH of your audience as possible. Even though I DID state that this is going to be a film that realizes on a lot of word of mouth anyway. But it's a lot easier to bring crowds in to see YOUR flick when the competition is already almost 2 weeks older than your release date.

[dperceful]

one thing A LOT of people are not catching onto about the date move is this. in order to make $$$$ Fantastic Four has to be on a lot of screens. it is fighting for movie screens against WOTW, and I would imagine it's not going to be able to push it off of too many screens to beat WOTW in it's second week.

Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Dakota Fanning=lots of money, guaranteed

Fantastic Four=above average money, risky investment

i'll still see both...but if FF doesn't get at least 3,000 screens...i just don't see it overcoming WOTW.

[Bigkid]

3,000 screens?? Even for a movie like FF that's at LEAST guaranteed to give you big time summer escapist fare, even THAT'S a LOT of screens to think about! I would say that if it opened on about......oh, let's say..... 1800 screens, with a few more incremently thrown in in the weeks AFTERWARDS, I think it's going to do well. I mean, 3,000 is a LOT of screens! I don't think ANYBODY but Spielberg/Cruise can do that! Well, not just THEM, but you get the idea. That many screens are for the creme-de-le-creme of the movie industry.

[dperceful]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bigkid:
3,000 screens?? Even for a movie like FF that's at LEAST guaranteed to give you big time summer escapist fare, even THAT'S a LOT of screens to think about! I would say that if it opened on about......oh, let's say..... 1800 screens, with a few more incremently thrown in in the weeks AFTERWARDS, I think it's going to do well. I mean, 3,000 is a LOT of screens! I don't think ANYBODY but Spielberg/Cruise can do that! Well, not just THEM, but you get the idea. That many screens are for the creme-de-le-creme of the movie industry.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

constatine is getting 2900+ screens this weekend. hitch got around the same amount last weekend. son of the mask is getting 3000 this weekend. granted, it's the dead time. but it's not an unheard of number...spidey had like 3200 to 3400 screens both releases. if FF only gets 1800 screens....it might as well fold it's release date until early august and pull it's money then (signs was an example that money is to be made in august releases, pity they didn't do that for sky captain). it has to pull as many screens as possible in order to survive against what else is being realeased. it's not going to gain screens after release....it going to be lucky to hold screens in it's second week. that's why Fox moved it back, hoping WOTW concedes some screens to it therefore helping their (Fox's) overall box office. i think they are having some big time issues running up against WOTW, it's likely one of the top three money makers of the year, is competing in a similar demographic, has big names, is a stellar story, etc. i'm not dissing FF.....i love FF, (i've seen the straight to conventions film) i want it to bang big money so my Marvel stock gains a dollar, i just know it's going up against some STRONG competition.

dan

[This message has been edited by dperceful (edited 02-14-2005).]

[norrinraad]

Fantastic Four should own its July 8th weekend box office. I doubt Bewitched is going to pose much competition, especially after Stepford Wives tanked and Nicole Kidman was in both. And Revenge of the Sith should have run its course by then. The only question is, will War of the Worlds be able to hold onto the #1 spot two weekends in a row? There's a chance that it might, which would relegate FF to second place on its opening weekend. Still, it could do some really good numbers nevertheless, and it should have a good run right into August.

[Bigkid]

The reason that the Spider-Man film got onto 3200 screens is because Spidey is a much HUGER comic than the FF is (or are). That went without question. And I seriously doubt that after only one week, WOTW is going to be able to concede nearly 50% of their screens in business to the FF. However, there is something that we must all consider: people's attention spans. I've said this before...... the summertime movie market is like a child at Christmas who has tons of relatives. They open one package from Uncle Joe, then say, "WOW! THIS IS COOL!" Then they go RIGHT to the next package quicker than a shot, exclaming how great THAT present is, and it's on to the next present, etc, etc, etc....... my point being that maybe movie goers are going to be tired of WOTW after one week, and want to be entertained by something else. That's the sort of culture that we live in. Which is to say, "Entertain me NOW". I'm in agreement with dpearcful, I want to see the FF do well. Hey, if Son of the Mask is getting three thousand theaters, Fantastic Four HAS to get that many AT LEAST.

[Bigkid]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by norrinraad:
Fantastic Four should own its July 8th weekend box office. I doubt Bewitched is going to pose much competition, especially after Stepford Wives tanked and Nicole Kidman was in both. And Revenge of the Sith should have run its course by then. The only question is, will War of the Worlds be able to hold onto the #1 spot two weekends in a row? There's a chance that it might, which would relegate FF to second place on its opening weekend. Still, it could do some really good numbers nevertheless, and it should have a good run right into August. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

OH NOBLE NORRIN!
I think they even pushed the opening date UP now for Bewitched. I think it's going to be opening June 24th, if I read the latest news right. And another film that was supposed to open up in the same weekend (of the 8th), a Kate Hudson thriller, is being pushed BACK all the way to Aug.12th. So clearly the FF will rule for that weekend. I also believe that the return business is going to be really good too. A lot of parents are going to be taking there kids to see this, I predict..... although, for really small kids, between the ages of like 5-10, I would say that they may find The Thing and Dr. Doom a little too intense. It might frighten little kids to see the transformation of both of them.

[WC]

Originally posted by Dperceful: well it's very good that got the date to themselves. they are going to need it to fight off War of the Worlds in it's second week. a lot of the newer stuff getting released for the FF movie is making it look more promising.