Serenity *spoilers*

[Loren]

The world-wide box office isn't so bad. The film has already nearly made it's money back, and it's still on-screen.

And check out the foreign release dates (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/releaseinfo). To date, 'Serenity' has only opened in seven countries (albeit seven of the biggest ones, though two were in just the last week); it still has 20 more to go.

[Dr. Banner]

The world-wide box office isn't so bad. The film has already nearly made it's money back, and it's still on-screen. It, like the original TV series, will also do quite well on PPV, Cable, DVD, etc. Because someting isn't #1 for 10 weeks straight, doesn't mean it's a flop. Serenity certainly isn't!

Does that include the reported 10 million (even up to 15) in advertising that isn't worked into the 39 million dollar budget? And does it take into account the sometimes more than 50% of the box office that the theatre keeps, that the studios see nothing of? And the (approximately) 5 million dollars it costs just to get the film shipped to theatres? To break even, you're looking at more than 70 million, EASILY.

The film hasn't nearly made its money back, even NOT counting those factors and going solely on the 39 million dollar budget, and the biggest money making countries are at the tail end of showing the film.

DVD, Cable and the rest can surely help. But, according to box office, "flop" isn't an exaggeration.

The numbers can't be ignored, and it really doesn't matter one way or another. My favourite movies have flopped in the theatre. I still enjoy them.

[kalorama]

DVD, Cable and the rest can surely help. But, according to box office, "flop" isn't an exaggeration.

But the point is that, in today's movie marketplace, box office receipts are not the only (or, in many cases, even the primary) measure of a film's commercial success. If studios didn't recognize the importance of secondary revenue streams, Serenity would never have been made in the first place; the TV show's cancellation would have been the end of the property.

[Dr. Banner]

If studios didn't recognize the importance of secondary revenue streams, Serenity would never have been made in the first place; the TV show's cancellation would have been the end of the property.

Unless Universal likes the MAN behind the product more than the product itself. And they wouldn't mind him doing work for them in the future. Before Serenity was released, but after it was made, Universal Pictures had paid him seven figures for his movie "Goner" (whom the vice chair of Paramount herself is producing).

And, taken from http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117901954?categoryid=13&cs=1

Underlying the deal was Universal's desire to be in business with Whedon. His shingleshingle, Mutant EnemyMutant Enemy, has an exclusive television deal with Fox and no motion picture deal. Universal execs, particularly vice chair Mary ParentMary Parent, had been trying to figure out a way to work with Whedon for years.

And another variety article:

''I was a Whedon stalker,'' laughs Mary Parent, Universal's now-outgoing vice chairman of production, who dug Whedon's vision and no-surrender passion. She also recognized a potentially marketable Cinderella story. A modestly budgeted film, Parent believed, was a gamble worth taking, and in September 2003, Universal optioned the rights from Fox. ''I thought this band of underdogs could make for a cool movie,'' she says. ''But I did want to see a script first.''

To quote Nikki Rocco, Universal's head of distribution:

"We actually like the director. We were hoping to tap in to his fan base."

[stevelabny]

This is what I think the problems were.

1> The title. As others have stated, it does NO justice to the movie. And those who judge a book by its cover, will assume chick-flick and stop right there.

2> The release date. Everyone knows that September-October (and January) is the WORST time of year for movies. Even the clueless who have no grasp on how the industry works, have some concept of summer blockbusters and the thanksgiving-christmas window. Add in the entire southeast of the United States being under a hurricane. Add in the insane amount of pre-screenings.
The original release date was end of April, and I think that just by coming out then, it would have scored slightly better at the box office.

3> The advertising was flawed. To me, the most important way to advertise a movie is by putting trailers in front of other big movies. With all the movies I saw earlier this year, I saw the Serenity trailer ONCE. It NEEDED to be attached to as many sci-fi related films as possible. ( I saw it with Batman, but not Star Wars, Hitchhikers, Sin City, or Fantastic Four)
Also, the television commercials were scarce, then all over for the week before release, but they were short 30 second commercials that tried to show off a bit of everything and wound up a jumbled mess.
The commercials needed to be longer, and focus on different aspects. There should have been a comedy trailer, an action trailer, a hot chicks trailer, a tough guys trailer, etc.
I also think that the fact that so many people claim they didnt see the commercials is telling. I saw commercials during almost every single tv show I watch... wrestling, survivor, veronica mars, lost. In theory, these shows play to completely different audiences too. I would say that maybe people just TIVO everything and completely ignore commercials now, but there was even a TIVO SHOWCASE ad. (of course, I am willing ot be money that most tivo-users NEVER look at these)
The Joss hype for the movie was silly. That was a failure on selling the tv show. (It was never advertised on Fox as being from the guy who brought you Buffy and Angel cuz they were on other networks) But to then try to sell a movie to a tv audience made no sense.
Once the movie got great reviews, there were very few commercials that used the reviews (presumably because the opening weeked wasnt so hot)
That said, with all the early previews, it is inexcusable to not have had early reviews to use in the ads.

4> The absolute suck-tacular 2005 movie lineup. Aside from Star Wars, no movie did huge business. And many people felt Star Wars sucked. The summer movies were incredibly disappointing. This caused more people to turn to piracy and/or wait for the DVDs. The true carryover of this has yet to be felt, sure summer movies were down...but what effect will this have on the big three coming out this winter? nobody knows yet. but the movie industry has been saying for years that they were losing business to piracy and home theatres...and now that the movies werent worth paying for, they might finally be right.

5> the constant mentions to the movie being based on a failed tv show. Fans were caught between a rock and a hard place. The movie is better if you watched the show, but you can't get people to watch the movie if they have to first see 15 hours of tv. Also many people use the simple "if it failed once, it will fail again" logic. Fans are stuck in a hard place, wanting people to see the TV show first so the movie carries the correct emotional impact, but this does have a negative effect.

Even with less than stellar numbers at the box office, I wouldnt be surprised if 1> it does great numbers on DVD 2> it gets greenlit for a sequel and 3> the sequel does better at the box office.

[Ontir]

Does that include the reported 10 million (even up to 15) in advertising that isn't worked into the 39 million dollar budget? And does it take into account the sometimes more than 50% of the box office that the theatre keeps, that the studios see nothing of? And the (approximately) 5 million dollars it costs just to get the film shipped to theatres? To break even, you're looking at more than 70 million, EASILY.

The film hasn't nearly made its money back, even NOT counting those factors and going solely on the 39 million dollar budget, and the biggest money making countries are at the tail end of showing the film.

DVD, Cable and the rest can surely help. But, according to box office, "flop" isn't an exaggeration.

The numbers can't be ignored, and it really doesn't matter one way or another. My favourite movies have flopped in the theatre. I still enjoy them.

First off, cinemas don't keep 50% of the grosses. I've worked in and managed several theatres, I do know what I'm talking about. There's a sliding scale. In the beginning, the studio takes about 75%. As the film plays over weeks, and God willing, months, the theatre's take increases, they hope, to the point where they are taking 75%.

That said, cinematic run only accounts for 11% of a studio's profit stream on a film. While the amount of money I cited doesn't include the advertising budget, I still believe that when the film leaves screens, runs through PPV, Cable/sattelite, and DVD release, it will have made it's investment back, and more than likely turned a profit.

Further, studios make a great deal of their investment on features back thorugh various rental fees for equipment, props, wardrobe, sets, and soundstages, while the film is being made. For greater detail on this, check out Sex, Greed, and Stupidity: an Inside Look at the American Movie Industry, it's available from amazon.com.

[Taltos]

I saw Serenity and I thought it was a good sci-fi action flick but it appears, judging from the Box Office, that the film isn't doing well at the moment. So I have to ask what went wrong for the movie to not me a Box Office success.
its ashame I loved this flick. Ebert gave it an A.

I loved it so much i got the series on DVD and watched it in two days. It was amazing! Im hoping a network like UPN will give it another shot.

[Ontir]

Since the film is from Universal, it's more likely that it would end up on NBC, or Sci-fi, who's already passed on it once. Beyond that, I don't think Whedon wants to take it back to TV now.

As for "It's too bad..." see below. Predictions of failure are overstated, and premature.

[Taltos]

The hardcore audience is tiny/non-existent and the trailers didn't succeed in putting it over as a solid space romp. The 'from the creator of Buffy and Angel' push is useless because the people that that would mean something to were probably already on board with it and people that don't watch those shows are either not going to care or probably think those shows are stupid.

Really, it didn't have a chance, regardless of its quality.
I never heard of it b4 and didnt even know what it was about. The only reason I saw it was because Joss Whendon's name was on it.

[Slappy san]

For greater detail on this, check out Sex, Greed, and Stupidity: an Inside Look at the American Movie Industry, it's available from amazon.com.

*wishlisted at Half.com*

[Schellenberg]

Why it didn't work for me--and this may be an indirect review of sorts, so be warned: SUBJECTIVITY AHEAD:

I never saw the show on TV, but I had the feeling throughout the movie that I'd seen all of it, and all the characters, elsewhere. Indestructible nut chick? Try "The Fifth Element," or just about anything else with Milla Jovovich. Mal? Han Solo, anyone? Evil empire? Yep. Und so weiter....

The hokey dialect, which came and went from character to character. I did not like it, Sam I Am. It made me want to re-read "Huckleberry Finn," which was written by someone who could write dialect. Whedon can't.

The "hip" quips. Especially the head-cracker about battery-operated things and someone's "nethers." Oh, God, the pain...! Script editor, please.

An editor-editor, too, while we're at it. Oh, and a director, too. Where should we be looking, Mr. Whedon? And why, for example, did the "romantic" takedown at the end run those awkward seconds too long? BECAUSE WE NEED AN EDITOR. AND A DIRECTOR.

If I like a movie, I'll see it again. Recent example: economical, entertaining "Red Eye," which I saw twice at the theater. Not-so-recent example: "Star Wars," which this thing obviously was trying to be. Maybe I'm just tired of the whole scruffy-world-weary-wisecracking-gang-of-space-misfits genre. It was a whole lot fresher in 1977. It's not so fresh now.

So I guess this is today's short form: Those of us who didn't see "Firefly"--or whatever that series was called--aren't giving this thing repeat business. The whole endeavor would have been better suited as a straight-to-deluxe-DVD release. Hell, most fancreatures have TVs nearly the size of theater screens, anyway.

[Sabrina_Fried]

Saw it at a midnight screening with a bunch of Browncoats (their word, not mine) on opening eve. I'd seen maybe 5 minutes of the series before that. I knew the general premise of the series (Western in Space) and that was about it. It was one of those series I fully intended to see on DVD as soon as I scrounged up the cash, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. So I went in, plunked down my $15 (Canadian funds, if you must know), sat through the pre-movie ad slideshow, then 15 minutes of commercials plus 30 minutes of trailers, than watched the movie. Fortunetly I wasn't hungry during the film having gone beforehand for dinner, and bought a decent meal, including a gut-stuffing plate of really good sushi for what a small order of stale and over-salted popcorn would have cost me at the theatre.

My personal opinion: fairly decent flick, didn't disuade me from buying the box set and watching most of it in the weeks afterward, but not worth the $15 and over 45 minutes of my life I had to waste enduring the adverts to see it. Would have been much better as a made-for-TV movie or a direct to DVD movie that at least I could have bought or rented or taped and watched at my convenience.

I know various people in this thread have commented that they didn't think the film was advertised enough. Well if you ask me this just wasn't the case. Everywhere I went for the better part of 2005 rabid Firefly fans were pushing the movie for all they were worth; giving out swag, arranging trailer screenings, having raffles for box sets, giving out flyers on every corner, etc. No, quality of the trailers aside, this movie was advertised plenty, and in the most powerful and effient ways too, word-of-mouth and fan-based. As for it not having many big names attached to the film, well, I diasgree with the whole concept of seeing a movie because some flavour of the month star is in it, so for me this was refreshing.

Why this movie didn't entire click for me, why it was just a 'decent enough flick' and not a 'ohmygodihavetoseeitahundredmoretimes' flick was because it was trying to be part of a TV series, but it was a movie. It forgot a basic tenet of storytelling: tell the darn story! Don't put things in there because you have to tie up loose ends for the fans, otherwise you'll only get the fans and believe me there aren't enough SF fans, let alone Firefly fans to float a movie on their own. Pick a story set in the universe you have created. Tell it. If you happen to tie up the loose ends along the way, that's great. If not, well, there's always fanfic and comic books. The more you tailor your movie to appeal to only one target market, the more you will get ONLY that target market, it's why most Focus Group movies suck. You can't appeal to everyone, but you should at least put enough in there for the potential fan to act as a primer to hook them.

But I'll probably enjoy the movie alot more on DVD anyway, when I CAN watch it at my convenience, and when it will come packed with hours of bonus material, because like you can't go into theatres and watch JUST the movie anymore, you can't buy the DVD and get JUST the movie anymore either. But that is a rant for another day.

Sabrina

[Amokitty]

Just blame the whole thing on Lenil Yu. :evilsmile

(kidding!)

I noticed that his name was on the movie's end credits as a 'conceptual artist'. No wonder he drew the Simon cover for the Serenity comic.

[Deathstroke]

The artwork has been released!

http://www.serenitystuff.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/dvd_serenitycollectors.jpg

[Sandoz]

It looks like their dismebodied heads are floating in space, but it's still a lot better than the regular DVD art.

[ChrisIII]

Summer looks a lot more 'real' than the original box art. Although it looks like she has a five o'clock shadow.

[The Foreigner]

Ew.

Terrible cover.

[Eliseu Gouveia]

Mal looks awesome.

River, not so much (had to reprogram my brain to recognise her).

[saintsaucey]

anyone know what special features we can expect from this set
anything worth me purchasing a second copy

[Tobias March]

Anyone else hear about this organised Serenity Day on June 16th here in Ireland, but different dates in other countries. Don't these guys know that cuts into Bloomsday!? :p

http://cantstoptheserenity.com/

[Ryan K]

anyone know what special features we can expect from this set
anything worth me purchasing a second copy

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/serenity5.html

Universal has announced a new two-disc collector's edition of Serenity which stars Nathan Fillion. This Joss Whedon directed sci-fi will be available to own from the 21st August, and should retail at around $26.98. The film itself will be presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with English Dolby Digital 5.1, and DTS 5.1 Surround tracks. Extras will include a audio commentary with Whedon, a second commentary with Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Ron Glass, a Joss Whedon intro, deleted scenes with director commentary, extended scenes, outtakes, and a Take A Walk On Serenity featurette. Completing the package will be a Green Clan featurette, a We'll Have A Fruity Oaty Good Time! feature, A Filmmaker's Journey featurette, a Future History: The Story Of Earth That Was featurette, a Re-lighting The Firefly featurette, a What's In A Firefly? featurette, a Session 416 feature, and a Sci-Fi Inside: Serenity feature. We've attached the official region one package artwork below:

I'll pick it up because I'm Whedon's bitch and for the off chance that sales could again spur future Firefly stuff.

But the extras don't seem all that impressive to me. Some featurettes and an extra commentary (which actually will probably be worth the price alone for me).

[DonC]

I have the original release. I refuse to be double-dipped.

[Spike-X]

Damn, there's gonna be just enough new extra stuff on there to make it worth buying for me.

[Magneto_X]

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/serenity5.html



I'll pick it up because I'm Whedon's bitch and for the off chance that sales could again spur future Firefly stuff.

But the extras don't seem all that impressive to me. Some featurettes and an extra commentary (which actually will probably be worth the price alone for me).

If they want more money from me they can deliver a Serenity sequel.

[Jeff-E]

I didn't buy the first Serenity DVD, but I am dumb enough to buy this one.

[Deathstroke]

I have the original release. I refuse to be double-dipped.

Normally I feel the same way, but not about Serenity.

[Ryan Day]

That second commentary track might make it worthwhile, particularly if they have most, if not all, of the cast recording it together. (as opposed to doing 3 or 4 separate sessions and then editing it together)

[Cream Filled Taco]

Normally I feel the same way, but not about Serenity.

Amen


Edit: Bah,this is Dark Galaxy, not CFT. Damned husbands leaving themselves logged in on my computer!

[DonC]

Amen


Edit: Bah,this is Dark Galaxy, not CFT. Damned husbands leaving themselves logged in on my computer!


That's grounds for divorce in 36 states.

[howyadoin]

Damn, there's gonna be just enough new extra stuff on there to make it worth buying for me.They better not have cut me out of this edition.

[DonC]

They better not have cut me out of this edition.


You were next to Rin, correct? Who would you rather look at, you or her?

[The Punished]

I held out on buying the original release as I anticipated they would be doing something like this and I am amazed it took them this long to capitalize on it.

Anyway, yep, I think I'll be picking this version on up asap.

[Otto66]

Having just bought both Vol. 1&2 of the "Firefly" Companion makes
me geek enough to buy another version of "Serenity". Look'n forward
to it. Thanks for the heads-up.

(now... where is my Blue Sun t-shirt...)

[Tobias March]

(now... where is my Blue Sun t-shirt...)

I got one of those made up. The guy in the t-shirt place looked at me like I was a freak....and then the handler's wouldn't let Sean Maher or Jewel Staite sign it at the preview screening here in Dublin. GARGH.

[Otto66]

DEATH to all handlers!
(sorry, it had to be said)

DVDactive has updated its site with
menu shots from the upcoming DVD
package.

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/serenity5.html

[Ryan K]

Hey people, if you don't already own the Firefly: The Complete Series on DVD (and why don't you), I just went to Target and they had it on sale for $16.99.

Tell your friends. Buy it for Christmas gifts. Run!

[Dark Galaxy]

Hey people, if you don't already own the Firefly: The Complete Series on DVD (and why don't you), I just went to Target and they had it on sale for $16.99.

Tell your friends. Buy it for Christmas gifts. Run!

One of my disc's in Firefly has a scratch on it, where it skips like half a scene. At this price, I am almost thinking about getting myself a back up copy of the series.

*sigh* I am such a dork.