Predicting the Movie Hits and Bombs of 2014

I'm not selling Downey short, he was perfect in the film and with hindsight I wouldn't want to see anybody else play that role.

However, he was not the reason people showed up on opening weekend to see Iron Man. His performance got great word of mouth and I think that is the reason the film had such a long life in the box office, but again, he's not what created the initial surge of interest...IRON MAN was.

 

I can see a point where Downey could eventually leave the role, and both the film series and his career would be worse because of it. On the other hand: Downey has said the great thing about Iron Man is that he could literally play the role for the next 15-20 years, and at least he's a guy in a metal robotic suit, not necessarily dependent on physical condition or age (unlike Superman or most of the other costumed heroes).

Note that Marvel is said to have a 14-year plan for superhero movies all the way to 2028, releasing at least 1 or 2 films per year, which each film dovetailing into the other with common characters, continued storylines, and crossover elements:

http://www.businessinsider.com/marvel-movie-plan-should-cause-warner-bros-concern-2014-4

http://time.com/49703/captain-america-marvel-plan-2028/

It's interesting to note that, so far, Warner Bros./DC Comics only has one movie officially announced (Batman vs. Superman).

Note that Mr. Depp turned 50 last June, and I'd bet this is a factor.

 

I don't think Depp was the reason Transcendence didn't do well, I just think it didn't look that appealing based on the trailers and marketing. I think it would have still flopped if you had swapped him out for George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, etc.

 

That's very possibly true. And I think the upcoming Tom Cruise movie Edge of Tomorrow is not going to do well, either. I think it's an interesting idea, essentially the sci-fi war version of Groundhog Day, but I dunno...

 

I hope it does well because it's just about the ONLY tentpole with an original story this summer, almost everything else is sequels and reboots. When it gets to the point where only sequels make money it's time for me to just stop watching major studio films all-together, I've been moving in that direction for several years anyway.

If Edge Of Tomorrow flops that just speeds up the process where no summer films with original scripts get produced.

 

I won't see Edge of Tomorrow.

But I will see the sequel!

 

Iron Man was far from a major character on par with Batman and Superman in the public's consciousness. People turned out for it on weekend 1 because it was brilliantly marketed. And 90% of the marketing centered on Downey's quips and charisma.

 

I liked the last two Cruise movies (Jack Reacher and especially Oblivion) so I'll go to see "Edge of tomorrow no question asked. I only know it's a science fiction movie directed by Doug Liman and starring Emily Blunt. In my case, I'm paying the ticket just because of Blunt.

 

Agreed, she's my favorite current actress, I'll go see anything she is in.

 

Really? 14 years Marvel is full of themselves so much it's
coming out there ears. Another couple years and superhero hype
will die. People attention for movies in general will drop dramatically
in 5 yrs or so. Marvel is pushing there product down everybodys throat
Just like the those trade school commercials .
Nonstop. Sometimes I think it would been better
if Marvel went totally under in 96.
And better movies would still be made instead
pushed aside as most are for sparkle and dazzle of today.

 

If anything, it shows signs of increasing. Who would ever have thought that Captain America would make $500M in 14 days? Spiderman just had the biggest international opening of any of the moves -- $50M in 4 days or something like that. They're on a roll. How long that will last is anybody's guess.

 

Once you get up that hill you got come down
eventually.

14 yrs we could be all dead by then.

 

Did you write this 15 years ago, and it just now showed up?

 

15 years? He certainly has had some major flops recently but look at what he has done in the last 15 years

• 21 Jump Street – Tom Hanson (uncredited) 2012 $42MM $138MM
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides – Jack Sparrow 2011 $250MM $241MM
• Alice in Wonderland – Mad Hatter 2010 $200MM $334MM
• Public Enemies – John Dillinger 2009 $100MM $97MM
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Sweeney Todd, Performer ("No Place Like London", "My Friends", "Pirelli's Miracle Elixir", "Pretty Women", "Epiphany", "A Little Priest", "Johanna (Act II)", "By The Sea", "The Judge's Return", "Final Scene (Part 1)", "Final Scene (Part 2)") 2007 $50MM $53MM
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End – Jack Sparrow, Performer ("Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)") 2007 $300MM $309MM
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest – Jack Sparrow 2006 $225MM $423MM
• Corpse Bride – Victor Van Dort (voice) 2005 $40MM $53MM
• Finding Neverland – Sir James Matthew Barrie 2004 $25MM $52MM
• Secret Window – Mort Rainey 2004 $40MM $48MM
• Once Upon a Time in Mexico – Sands, Producer ("Sands Theme"), Writer ("Sands Theme") 2003 $29MM $56MM
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – Jack Sparrow, Performer ("Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)") 2003 $140MM $305MM
• Blow – George Jung 2001 $30MM $53MM
• Chocolat – Roux, Soundtrack 2000 $25MM $71MM
• Sleepy Hollow – Ichabod Crane 1999 $100MM $101MM
• The Brave – Raphael, Director, Writer (Screenplay) 1997
• Donnie Brasco – Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone 1997 $35MM $42MM
• Ed Wood – Ed Wood 1994 $18MM $5.9MM
• What's Eating Gilbert Grape – Gilbert Grape 1993 $11MM $9.2MM

The guy has had a few hits and a few critically acclaimed performances in the past 15 years.

 

Honestly, there are very few actors alive who truly are huge box office draws.

I can only think of one who can pull audiences (or at least most of the folks I talk to) into a questionable film that otherwise would tank, and guess what?

That actor isn't really known for being a sex symbol.

It is Sandra Bullock.

Nowadays, there is a huge difference between being a famous star or a sex symbol and being a box office draw...

Shalom, y'all!

L. Bangs (who says this as somebody who isn't much of a Bullock fan...)

 

What's eating Gilbert Grape was over 20 years ago. After Blow, I've only seen the Pirates movies, but the point is that his biggest success is well behind him.

 

At my age I loose count after 5

 

My guess it that it will be just like the comics, and people will grow tired of overexposure of certain characters, endless reboots, and expensive tie-ins and start to walk away.

 

Apparently we're not the only ones having this discussion.

Why the Johnny Depp backlash is nonsense
http://www.avclub.com/article/why-johnny-depp-backlash-nonsense-203646

 

What amuses me about that article is that I actually did pay attention to Depp more pre-2003, and enjoyed both Benny and Joon AND The Ninth Gate.

 

I have to admit that he lost me after Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoyed him more pre-2003 as well.

 

Just saw the new Captain America last night. If they keep making comic book movies like that these movies will be around for a long long time and I say bravo. That movie rocked.

 

I am comic collector well, I use to be. Silver age comics were the best.
For and for select few us comic geeks ? I hate that term.
The comic book movie is wearing thin some us that use to enjoy
comic books.
Making all sorts movie pitches and tv shows
Is pushing it .

I miss hollywood when it was pure talent base .
Now just over top blockbusters are only thing that saves
The movie studios ass. Because most talent is pretty much
gone.

 

I use enjoy Sandy's movies. I know she hates Sandy.
Anyways she done about everything she could do in carrer.
I don't like her movies anymore all know seem the same.
Maybe thats what happens when over exposure is at the fore front .
Just like Jennifer Anstion Once, I would like to see her in a deep dramatic roll.

 

This only applies to Marvel right now - I wish they'd at least help point DC in the right direction again...