207 replies to this topic

[Harmsway]

Given the box office numbers, I highly doubt we'll see any sequels. This movie needed to be a massive hit to recoup the investment.

[LadySylvia]

Does it have to be a massive hit with the North American box office only in order for two sequels to be considered? From what I have read, it hasn't been the big hit that many had hoped to be here in the U.S. I also recalled the movie, "28 DAYS" being a flop in the U.S., yet a sequel to the movie was released this year.

[dinovelvet]

Given the box office numbers, I highly doubt we'll see any sequels. This movie needed to be a massive hit to recoup the investment.

Interestingly though, it opened bigger than Narnia in the UK, and early estimates from its first few days across Europe are similarly strong. This could be one of those unusual movies that makes about 80% of its money outside of North America (much like Bond). I agree any sequel prospects are still iffy though, unless they are significantly scaled down, budget-wise.

[Harmsway]

Does it have to be a massive hit with the North American box office only in order for two sequels to be considered?

For a film as expensive as THE GOLDEN COMPASS (near the top of the list of the most expensive films of all time), it'll have to be a megahit outside of the USA to have those sequels made. And yes, Hollywood does put huge emphasis on American box office, so that will probably play a huge role in deciding the future of this franchise.

I also recalled the movie, "28 DAYS" being a flop in the U.S., yet a sequel to the movie was released this year.

28 DAYS LATER was a cheaper sequel to make.

[Judo chop]

Looks like diminishing hopes of trilogy. If that

[LadySylvia]

It's interesting that although TGC had debuted at the #1 spot in the U.S., everyone has dismissed it as a flop . . . despite the fact that it is doing very well in Europe. I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that any movie has to depend ONLY on the North American box office. Hell, CASINO ROYALE had failed to reach #1 in the U.S., last year and everyone was calling it a success.

And the TGC had just debuted. Why is there this insistence that there will be no sequel? Why are so many determined to quickly write it off as a failure?

[OmarB]

Wow I'm late getting into this thread! Anyways, I love the books, like the movie. Like Pullman I'm a lifelong atheist and I find it funny that the religious react so strongly to a children's fantasy. Oh well, not like the fantasy in the Bible makes any logical sense. If your belief system can be challenged by a children's book maybe you shoudl check your premises and see if you really buy into all the crap you are saying.

[MrDraco]

They should make the trilogy.
movies are movies...idiots will be idiots
no sweat from my balls..

[Harmsway]

I'm sorry, but I find it hard to believe that any movie has to depend ONLY on the North American box office.

It doesn't depend only on N.A. box office. But it does demand on that for a good portion of its viability. Huge, big-budget movies don't get made unless they play well in America.

Hell, CASINO ROYALE had failed to reach #1 in the U.S., last year and everyone was calling it a success.

Firstly, it premiered with more sizable profits than GOLDEN COMPASS, and secondly, CASINO ROYALE had great word of mouth that gave it really long legs at the B.O. THE GOLDEN COMPASS does not.

And the TGC had just debuted. Why is there this insistence that there will be no sequel? Why are so many determined to quickly write it off as a failure?

There's no insistence. There might still be sequels. But it's not looking at all good because of the following factors:

1) Because it's not being well received.

2) Because it didn't debut as strongly as it needed to to recoup its frighteningly large budget. A domestic opening of $26,125,000 just doesn't cut it. While it'll get a boost over Christmas holiday weekend, it's not going to be a big domestic hit, and the mediocre word-of-mouth won't help it any. This movie has to make oodles and oodles of money to recoup its massive investment (as I've said before, this movie is near the top of the list of "most expensive films ever made"), and the films are only going to get bigger and more expensive from here on out.

To guarantee a sequel, this film would have to make $400/$500 million outside of the U.S. Even though it's enjoying success outside of the U.S.A., I doubt it'll be that big of a success.

[bond 16.05.72]

Does it have to be a massive hit with the North American box office only in order for two sequels to be considered?

For a film as expensive as THE GOLDEN COMPASS (near the top of the list of the most expensive films of all time), it'll have to be a megahit outside of the USA to have those sequels made. And yes, Hollywood does put huge emphasis on American box office, so that will probably play a huge role in deciding the future of this franchise.

I also recalled the movie, "28 DAYS" being a flop in the U.S., yet a sequel to the movie was released this year.

28 DAYS LATER was a cheaper sequel to make.

Yes I'm afraid it's Hollywood worrying about how US audiences will cope with the more complex story in the book that was a huge contribution to the dummbing down of the script.

The US Box office may indeed determine whether the other books are made but it's also trying to make this palatable to so called dumb American audiences that has ruined this film.

I'm not saying all Americans are dumb what I'm saying is Hollywood thinks you are.
Northern Lights is a much better title but US audiences dictate it must be called some easier to understand, hence the Golden Compass.

Also cutting the more controversial angle has robbed the film of his daring and difference which would have given it a unique style instead of being a generic fantasy movie.

Not wanting to offend the church and appeal to mass audiences so they don't have to think too much is what earned this the failure it is.


Anyway you look at it America is to blame for it's poor box office and also it's Dumbing down, Hollywood films are made primarily for American audiences because it's their biggest concern and the largest draw but by being this it also robs the film of presenting anything as spectacular as the book could have given it.

[LadySylvia]

[quote]I

[LadySylvia]

Does it have to be a massive hit with the North American box office only in order for two sequels to be considered?

For a film as expensive as THE GOLDEN COMPASS (near the top of the list of the most expensive films of all time), it'll have to be a megahit outside of the USA to have those sequels made. And yes, Hollywood does put huge emphasis on American box office, so that will probably play a huge role in deciding the future of this franchise.

I also recalled the movie, "28 DAYS" being a flop in the U.S., yet a sequel to the movie was released this year.

28 DAYS LATER was a cheaper sequel to make.

Yes I'm afraid it's Hollywood worrying about how US audiences will cope with the more complex story in the book that was a huge contribution to the dummbing down of the script.

The US Box office may indeed determine whether the other books are made but it's also trying to make this palatable to so called dumb American audiences that has ruined this film.

I'm not saying all Americans are dumb what I'm saying is Hollywood thinks you are.
Northern Lights is a much better title but US audiences dictate it must be called some easier to understand, hence the Golden Compass.

Also cutting the more controversial angle has robbed the film of his daring and difference which would have given it a unique style instead of being a generic fantasy movie.

Not wanting to offend the church and appeal to mass audiences so they don't have to think too much is what earned this the failure it is.


Anyway you look at it America is to blame for it's poor box office and also it's Dumbing down, Hollywood films are made primarily for American audiences because it's their biggest concern and the largest draw but by being this it also robs the film of presenting anything as spectacular as the book could have given it.

So, what you

[HildebrandRarity]

In my box office predictions for Bond 22, I will show (by analysis driven by global capital markets flows and reality) that the US is going to continuously become a smaller and smaller part of the planetary wealth pie. It is inevitable that Hollywood becomes less insular and more and more global in order to ensure long term viability.

We all know that Eon operate with a world view and it's reflected in the fact that they did focus group analysis in Asia and South America and Eastern Europe on Daniel Craig before offering him a longer term contract.

It's inevitable.

But back on topic...I imagine the opposite exists for this movie when it comes to American BO as what existed for Passion Of The Christ in terms of disproportionate skew US v Worldwide.

And is it possible part of that huge budget was up front costs to be defrayed over 3 movies? New Line made a bet on LORT (a different kettle of fish, mind)...so who knows?

Edited by HildebrandRarity, 10 December 2007 - 08:55 PM.

[Agent Ostlund]

Me and my little Brother went to go see The Golden Compass last Friday, and ironically, My little brother came home from school today (He goes to a private school) and tells me that The Priest criticized him for seeing the movie. The Priest didn't even see the movie. This is just another perfect example that shows the close minded ways of some religious people, who instead of having an open ended debate on the subject, simply shun it out of the way and don't even bother to see the film for themselves.

[Harmsway]

I'm not saying all Americans are dumb what I'm saying is Hollywood thinks you are.
Northern Lights is a much better title but US audiences dictate it must be called some easier to understand, hence the Golden Compass.

Uh, THE GOLDEN COMPASS was the title of the book as it was released in the USA. Hollywood had nothing to do with that change. The publishing company did. And frankly, I think THE GOLDEN COMPASS is a more compelling title that fits better with the other two titles in the trilogy (with the title of THE GOLDEN COMPASS, each title refers to an object: THE GOLDEN COMPASS, THE SUBTLE KNIFE, THE AMBER SPYGLASS).

Not wanting to offend the church and appeal to mass audiences so they don't have to think too much is what earned this the failure it is.

If they'd made a more faithful film, I'm still not sure it would have been hugely successful. There's just no way this film series would ever be pulling in epic B.O. If done right, it would probably have found its market, but it was foolish of New Line to be expecting LOTR-size numbers on this, even if it had been done right.

Pullman's trilogy just isn't really "made to be a blockbuster" material. It's very difficult stuff to adapt, since the pacing isn't ideal for a film, and it's based around a lot of ideas that are hard to express in the short time of a film without awkward exposition. It's a very intellectual trilogy, and intellectual things rarely become the biggest hits.

And is it possible part of that huge budget was up front costs to be defrayed over 3 movies? New Line made a bet on LORT (a different kettle of fish, mind)...so who knows?

Nah, it's not. New Line hasn't put money towards the other two films yet (beyond hiring a screenwriter to write a draft for THE SUBTLE KNIFE).

[Judo chop]

Nearly harmswaylaid again!!!

[Qwerty]

May not be doing great in the US, but the film seems to be OK in the UK - http://news.bbc.co.u...ent/7150095.stm

[RazorBlade]

Let's be frank. GC NA BO sux. The difference between CR and GC BO is that CR made a huge profit. GC won't. DC was in GC for all of 15 minutes- big frakkin' deal. As for religious groups, no one likes their beliefs rediculed in public. So why is everyone surprised? Did the Muslims take it any better when Mohammad was drawn like a cartoon character? Would athetists appreciate a satire on Darwin based on Little Black Sambo?

[LadySylvia]

In my box office predictions for Bond 22, I will show (by analysis driven by global capital markets flows and reality) that the US is going to continuously become a smaller and smaller part of the planetary wealth pie. It is inevitable that Hollywood becomes less insular and more and more global in order to ensure long term viability.

Despite what the American media has lead many to believe, Hollywood has always been global. It has always depended upon overseas box office just as much as the domestic box office. The only reason a studio like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer had kept Greta Garbo around for so long was because her movies made its biggest profits outside of the U.S.

Let's be frank. GC NA BO sux. The difference between CR and GC BO is that CR made a huge profit. GC won't. DC was in GC for all of 15 minutes- big frakkin' deal. As for religious groups, no one likes their beliefs rediculed in public.

THE GOLDEN COMPASS sucked because Craig was in the movie for all of 15 minutes? The movie barely touched on religious matters. Apparently, that is what pissed off the literary fans, which is why many of them refuse to see the movie.


Personally, I blame the failure of TGC in the U.S. on two groups - the religious right in this country and the literary fans who badmouthed the movie, because it wasn't an exact replica of the novel. As if that was possible.

[dinovelvet]

Some eyebrow-raising box office numbers here...The Golden Compass has made nearly $200 million 'internationally' (i.e. everywhere except the USA), so quite a decent hit there, yet it has only made a putrid $62 mil in the good old US of A.

http://www.boxoffice...ldencompass.htm

With these kinds of numbers, and depending on how the DVD does, I wouldn't be surprised if the sequels are made after all, although it would probably only happen with a lower budget.

[LadySylvia]

Surprisingly, the U.S. box office numbers for THE GOLDEN COMPASS actually rose during the Christmas holidays. Well, not surprising if one thinks about it.

[Harmsway]

Personally, I blame the failure of TGC in the U.S. on two groups - the religious right in this country and the literary fans who badmouthed the movie, because it wasn't an exact replica of the novel. As if that was possible.

I don't think the religious right had anything to do with it. They're not a make-or-break group, despite what some would like to claim. And if the word that literary fans had held any weight as to the success of their movie adaptations, movies like NARNIA would have sunk.

GOLDEN COMPASS failed in the U.S. because the lackluster advertising campaign was unable to generate a lot of hype and the movie got poor word of mouth. It's as simple as that.

Some eyebrow-raising box office numbers here...The Golden Compass has made nearly $200 million 'internationally' (i.e. everywhere except the USA), so quite a decent hit there, yet it has only made a putrid $62 mil in the good old US of A.

http://www.boxoffice...ldencompass.htm

With these kinds of numbers, and depending on how the DVD does, I wouldn't be surprised if the sequels are made after all, although it would probably only happen with a lower budget.

I found out recently that New Line sold away all international profits on THE GOLDEN COMPASS, so I say that the possibility of sequels is still very slim. Especially since the sequels demand a bigger budget because of the increase in scale. With surefire hit THE HOBBIT down the pipeline, New Line has more interesting and secure projects to be focusing on.

[DamnCoffee]

I still havent seen this movie yet :/, Me and one of my friends were going to see it a few weeks ago, damn thing wasn't showing anymore, so we went to see 'I am Legend' instead, which was a total letdown .

[HH007]

I was going to see this movie, but then I decided, eh, I'll wait for the DVD instead. It's a shame it didn't do better B.O. though.

[MkB]

I'm going to wait for the DVD too... I wanted to read the novel before going to the cinema, and apparently it took me too much time... It's a pity the film didn't make it at the BO, it could have been a nice saga.

[LadySylvia]

I was going to see this movie, but then I decided, eh, I'll wait for the DVD instead. It's a shame it didn't do better B.O. though.

Why don't you just go see it? What's the harm?

I heard that since its release two days after Christmas, THE GOLDEN COMPASS has become the #1 movie in Australia. In fact, it's performing better than Disney's ENCHANTED.

[DamnCoffee]

t's performing better than Disney's ENCHANTED.

That isn't bloody suprising! All of the Disney Movies this decade have gone really downhill, they basically, dont contain the 'magic' that they used to. Or is it just me growing up?

[Harmsway]

I was going to see this movie, but then I decided, eh, I'll wait for the DVD instead.

Good call. It's not a very good film. Spend the money on one of the many other worthwhile releases out now.

[Vauxhall]

I'm also waiting for the DVD. If I do have some money going spare to head to the movies soon I think I'll go to see something like THE KITE RUNNER or I AM LEGEND, at least until SWEENEY TODD or THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY are released here seeing as I've heard such great things about them.

I was browsing a list of estimated Oscar nominations from March 2007 earlier (before most of the major movies of the year had been released) and they were predicting THE GOLDEN COMPASS to garner the most nominations. Seems unlikely now.

[HH007]

Right now the two movies on my theatrical radar are THERE WILL BE BLOOD and JUNO. I saw SWEENEY TODD and loved it. The reason I didn't go to the GOLDEN COMPASS when it came out was because NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN came to my town at the same time and there was no way I was going to pass that up.