Is DC even going to try to compete with Marvel on the big screen?

[Shurato2099]

From Box Office Mojo

Production Budget: $200 million

Domestic: $191,452,396 34.2%
+ Foreign: $368,400,000 65.8%
= Worldwide: $559,852,396

So Cars 2 was somehow a bomb ay, and yet Kung Fu Panda 2 isn't, even thought it underperformed in the U.S?

Just for the sake of clarity, whose numbers are you quoting at us? Cars 2 or Kung-Fu Panda 2?

[blinker]

The box office for Cars 2, which made back more than twice it's budget worldwide, and was among the highest grossing films of 2011.

[SpideyCzar]

Anyone who thinks the Cars franchise was a bomb needs their head examined.

[blinker]

Absolutely.

[Vibranium]

Anyone who thinks the Cars franchise was a bomb needs their head examined.

creatively, yes...financially, hells no

[FIFTY-TWO (52)]

creatively, yes...financially, hells no

Yeah, I'd say it's the worst concept Pixar has put to screen.

[Tandaemonium]

I'm sorry. I should have clarified. Yes, Cars 2 wasn't a financial failure, though John Carter was. JC was a failure financially and arguably creatively, while Cars 2 was a failure creatively but not financially. My point was that the difference between Disney and WB is that with both those films, there was reason and disappointment enough from the persons involved to act and seek improvement. Had Cars 2 been a WB property, they wouldn't have noticed/cared and would probably be found dancing in the streets celebrating.

[SpideyCzar]

I'm sorry. I should have clarified. Yes, Cars 2 wasn't a financial failure, though John Carter was. JC was a failure financially and arguably creatively, while Cars 2 was a failure creatively but not financially. My point was that the difference between Disney and WB is that with both those films, there was reason and disappointment enough from the persons involved to act and seek improvement. Had Cars 2 been a WB property, they wouldn't have noticed/cared and would probably be found dancing in the streets celebrating.

For as much bad press as Disney got for John Carter it still made over $260 million worldwide, so it wasn't a complete disaster. Still a large financial loss though. In my view I think it was more of a marketing blunder than a creative blunder, and probably a little mis managing of the budget by Disney. $200 million budget for a character that has been pretty dormant to the general public was a huge gamble, that didn't pay off.

And you can say Cars 2 was a failure creatively but when your target audiences are children sometimes quality is not the main objective, but I agree cars 2 was Pixars worst effort to date.

[Tandaemonium]

All true. But Disney and Lasseter's business methodology hold quality in such high esteem which they insist on as a principle which will lead to high returns. It's why Lasseter himself rewrote Toy Story 2 COMPLETELY in one long weekend after most of the film had already been drawn, editted and put together. He knew in his gut it sucked and redid it into what everyone is now familiar with.

Of course the bottom line at every studio is the return on investment but Disney's approach which is also by extension Marvel's, is build the consistency of quality and you will always have a a consistent expectation of audience and sales. Lasseter vehemently opposes the notion that the "target audience are children sometimes quality is not the main objective." And it wasn't just him...Disney's revival in the last few decades also can be credited to another source who emphasizes the importance of putting forward quality or the impression of quality first before anything...the guy who pretty much financed/invested highly in Disney/Pixar/ABC as long as they followed that idealogy - Steve Jobs. Screw up and there's hell to pay from Jobs, Iger, Lasseter, etc. It's a point of pride for them at that company, whereas at WB it is not...which is why DC's film presence is less likely as the Marvel U to have a semblance of consistency in quality amongst their cinema universe.

[marvelprince]

All true. But Disney and Lasseter's business methodology hold quality in such high esteem which they insist on as a principle which will lead to high returns. It's why Lasseter himself rewrote Toy Story 2 COMPLETELY in one long weekend after most of the film had already been drawn, editted and put together. He knew in his gut it sucked and redid it into what everyone is now familiar with.

Of course the bottom line at every studio is the return on investment but Disney's approach which is also by extension Marvel's, is build the consistency of quality and you will always have a a consistent expectation of audience and sales. Lasseter vehemently opposes the notion that the "target audience are children sometimes quality is not the main objective." And it wasn't just him...Disney's revival in the last few decades also can be credited to another source who emphasizes the importance of putting forward quality or the impression of quality first before anything...the guy who pretty much financed/invested highly in Disney/Pixar/ABC as long as they followed that idealogy - Steve Jobs. Screw up and there's hell to pay from Jobs, Iger, Lasseter, etc. It's a point of pride for them at that company, whereas at WB it is not...which is why DC's film presence is less likely as the Marvel U to have a semblance of consistency in quality amongst their cinema universe.

You may not have used the best examples, but I agree with what you're saying. I have yet to see anyone over at WB express such passion and love like Kevin Feige at Marvel or Lasseter at Pixar have shown for their properties. Maybe thats whats missing. If they get a writer like Geoff Johns (whatever your opinion on his writing the guy clearly loves comics) and you would have much better superhero movies.

[Flashpoint]

You may not have used the best examples, but I agree with what you're saying. I have yet to see anyone over at WB express such passion and love like Kevin Feige at Marvel or Lasseter at Pixar have shown for their properties. Maybe thats whats missing. If they get a writer like Geoff Johns (whatever your opinion on his writing the guy clearly loves comics) and you would have much better superhero movies.

100% agreed.

[Vibranium]

and with that Marvel has someone whose sole job is to translate the costumes from page to screen and work with the production staff to translate that stuff....a guy named Brian Heimerding...it may seem like a small detail, but its super important

the costume in a superhero film IMO is the handshake between the film and the audience....if the audience buys the suit and the reason for it, they will buy the film

[Obsidian Thought]

I don't think WB/DC should try to copy Marvel but stay true to their brand and characters.

The DC Universe is rich and strong...all they need to do is put the right directors, writers, and actors on the movies they choose to do. They need to take their time but get crackin' at the same time.

I think a potential blockbuster would be a Superman/Batman movie. I think in the end, the DC Universe needs to be shared. Either way...I can't wait until DC/WB gets serious.

[Vibranium]

I don't think WB/DC should try to copy Marvel but stay true to their brand and characters.

agreed...but the average moviegoer is going to see it as a knockoff of what Marvel is doing now

it was basically a race to a team superhero flick and Marvel has won....big time

[FIFTY-TWO (52)]

You may not have used the best examples, but I agree with what you're saying. I have yet to see anyone over at WB express such passion and love like Kevin Feige at Marvel or Lasseter at Pixar have shown for their properties. Maybe thats whats missing. If they get a writer like Geoff Johns (whatever your opinion on his writing the guy clearly loves comics) and you would have much better superhero movies.

Can you imagine if Geoff Johns gathered Waid, Rucka, Morrison, and Bruce Timm to be the creative hiveminds over a DCU film/media (live and animated) division?