Disney (and others) at the Box Office - Current State of Affairs

[BrianLo]

It’s Thursday was slightly better than Dumbo.

It can still do well in some miracle situation.

I more so meant it cracking 650-675 seems to be likely off the table. International response is always the mystery of course, but that’s not sounding sufficient.

I’ve long thought 400-500 was probable.

 

[LittleBuford]

Since I don’t think the controversies surrounding the film have gained much traction outside the US, I can only conclude that international audiences just aren’t that interested.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

I more so meant it cracking 650-675 seems to be likely off the table. International response is always the mystery of course, but that’s not sounding sufficient.

I’ve long thought 400-500 was probable.

That is such a shame and was easily avoidable. Zegler needed to listen to Crash Davis in Bull Durham and say something like…

“I grew up loving the original Snow White, and it’s such an iconic story. In our movie, we’re deeply respectful of that legacy and excited to expand Snow White’s journey, giving audiences a heroine who feels relatable to both longtime fans and a new generation.”

Baseball version of “I take it one bat at a time” , “tip the cap to the pitcher”, etc.

Then don’t engage in politics. Liberals on this site to a large degree dislike/distrust conservatives and vice versa (judging by the conversations on this board) Everyone has a reason for the way they vote, don’t get involved if you are a entertainer or at least use Crash Davis advice when speaking political.

Do this and Snow White is somewhere between Mermaid and Cinderella.

Zegler had every right to say what she said… but she has way more to lose than us idiots online.
You don’t want to become toxic in Hollywood, they are always looking for the scapegoat.

 

[Casper Gutman]

When a PatF live action film gets announced. If they cast a white actress I'll be first poster to criticize it.

If PatF came out today there would be a firestorm of rage over “race swapping” a “European” princess.

You steadfastly refuse to acknowledge historical context. Making Disney’s ONLY Black princess white is not the same as casting an Hispanic actress as Snow White. I am sure you are familiar with the history of race in the United States. Without delving into too much detail, given the realities of 21st century Hollywood, insisting that the race of characters remains unchanged guarantees that the marginalization of minority groups in media continues.

This is similar to your claims that the reaction to Mackie as Captain America can’t be driven by racial views because he was accepted as Falcon. Yes, historically African-American men have been consigned to secondary sidekick roles. That has been viewed as “their place.” It is when Mackie is elevated to the role of hero - a hero that represents the concept of America - that the racial standards many people still believe in, consciously or unconsciously, are violated and a firestorm erupts.

Different things are different.

 

[Trauma]

If PatF came out today there would be a firestorm of rage over “race swapping” a “European” princess.

You steadfastly refuse to acknowledge historical context. Making Disney’s ONLY Black princess white is not the same as casting an Hispanic actress as Snow White. I am sure you are familiar with the history of race in the United States. Without delving into too much detail, given the realities of 21st century Hollywood, insisting that the race of characters remains unchanged guarantees that the marginalization of minority groups in media continues.

This is similar to your claims that the reaction to Mackie as Captain America can’t be driven by racial views because he was accepted as Falcon. Yes, historically African-American men have been consigned to secondary sidekick roles. That has been viewed as “their place.” It is when Mackie is elevated to the role of hero - a hero that represents the concept of America - that the racial standards many people still believe in, consciously or unconsciously, are violated and a firestorm erupts.

Different things are different.

This is a really shocking idea. I know the studio heads don’t have the nuts to do it.

How about create original content.

Part of the problem with “Modern” Hollywood is their obsession with remakes and sequels.

What’s coming out soon Jurassic Park 12?

I don’t know, the entire thing turns me off from the theaters.

 

[Casper Gutman]

This is a really shocking idea. I know the studio heads don’t have the nuts to do it.

How about create original content.

Part of the problem with “Modern” Hollywood is their obsession with remakes and sequels.

What’s coming out soon Jurassic Park 12?

I don’t know, the entire thing turns me off from the theaters.

Great. Audiences should go to see original content. But they don’t. We need to deal with that reality.

This past weekend saw the release of a sexy star-filled spy thriller from one of the world’s most well-known and respected directors and a light-hearted action film with a catchy premise. Both got excellent reviews. Both bombed.

Studio execs should get some blame for shaping audience tastes, but they are less responsible then broader technological, economic, social, and cultural changes. Ultimately, audiences decide what they see, and that decision determines what gets made.

 

[Disstevefan1]

That is such a shame and was easily avoidable. Zegler needed to listen to Crash Davis in Bull Durham and say something like…

“I grew up loving the original Snow White, and it’s such an iconic story. In our movie, we’re deeply respectful of that legacy and excited to expand Snow White’s journey, giving audiences a heroine who feels relatable to both longtime fans and a new generation.”

Baseball version of “I take it one bat at a time” , “tip the cap to the pitcher”, etc.

Then don’t engage in politics. Liberals on this site to a large degree dislike/distrust conservatives and vice versa (judging by the conversations on this board) Everyone has a reason for the way they vote, don’t get involved if you are a entertainer or at least use Crash Davis advice when speaking political.

Do this and Snow White is somewhere between Mermaid and Cinderella.

Zegler had every right to say what she said… but she has way more to lose than us idiots online.
You don’t want to become toxic in Hollywood, they are always looking for the scapegoat.

You are right. Disney should have told Zegler to say this.

I blame Disney on this. Zegler is an actress being paid by Disney to act, that acting job should have extended to any interviews and or social media.

I am told over and over when talking about theme parks Disney is a for profit business. Disney should think that way in their movie business and control the talent they are paying every step of the way to ensure success of their brand and product.

 

[Trauma]

Great. Audiences should go to see original content. But they don’t. We need to deal with that reality.

This past weekend saw the release of a sexy star-filled spy thriller from one of the world’s most well-known and respected directors and a light-hearted action film with a catchy premise. Both got excellent reviews. Both bombed.

Studio execs should get some blame for shaping audience tastes, but they are less responsible then broader technological, economic, social, and cultural changes. Ultimately, audiences decide what they see, and that decision determines what gets made.

Yes but now the sequels and remakes are also not performing as well as they were previously.

Sure some still make a Billion but the frequency is lower.

The zeitgeist seems to be shifting but what to ?

 

[MagicMouseFan]

You are right. Disney should have told Zegler to say this.

I blame Disney on this. Zegler is an actress being paid by Disney to act, that acting job should have extended to any interviews and or social media.

I am told over and over when talking about theme parks Disney is a for profit business. Disney should think that way in their movie business and control the talent they are paying every step of the way to ensure success of their brand and product.

To me it’s not on Disney. It’s on team Zegler, it’s her career. She will move on and Disney will move on to the next project.
She is the one who has the most to lose.
All public figures have more to lose when speaking to the hidden masses online.


Crash Davis:
“Don’t try to be colorful. Don’t try to be interesting. The press’ll eat you alive. I’m tellin’ ya—you’re gonna have to learn your clichés. You’re gonna have to study them, you’re gonna have to know them. They’re your friends. Write this down: ‘We gotta play it one day at a time.’ ‘I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.’ ‘I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things’ll work out.’”

Zegler is very talented and she will recover.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

Yes but now the sequels and remakes are also not performing as well as they were previously.

Sure some still make a Billion but the frequency is lower.

The zeitgeist seems to be shifting but what to ?

YouTube and Roblox

 

[Chi84]

To me it’s not on Disney. It’s on team Zegler, it’s her career. She will move on and Disney will move on to the next project.
She is the one who has the most to lose.
All public figures have more to lose when speaking to the hidden masses online.


Crash Davis:
“Don’t try to be colorful. Don’t try to be interesting. The press’ll eat you alive. I’m tellin’ ya—you’re gonna have to learn your clichés. You’re gonna have to study them, you’re gonna have to know them. They’re your friends. Write this down: ‘We gotta play it one day at a time.’ ‘I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.’ ‘I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things’ll work out.’”

From the reviews of her actual performance I think she’ll be fine.

Richard Roeper came out with his review today and said “it’s Rachel Zegler who shines like the the brightest star in the sky, with a funny and warm and empathetic performance, and a singing voice that carries to the heavens”

 

[Trauma]

From the reviews of her actual performance I think she’ll be fine.

Richard Roeper came out with his review today and said “it’s Rachel Zegler who shines like the the brightest star in the sky, with a funny and warm and empathetic performance, and a singing voice that carries to the heavens”

Honest question here.

Do studio execs cast on reviews or box office results ?

I guess the answer might be it depends.

But for big budget films I’m sure they look at past results.

 

[MagicMouseFan]

From the reviews of her actual performance I think she’ll be fine.

Richard Roeper came out with his review today and said “it’s Rachel Zegler who shines like the the brightest star in the sky, with a funny and warm and empathetic performance, and a singing voice that carries to the heavens”

Yes, Zegler will be fine. She is very talented.
And it’s her choice how she wants to approach the public and media.
It’s her career to win or lose.

But I do think her comments impacted this one particular film or at least it’s opening weekend.
it’s something public figures need to study and be aware of. One comment can instantly hit millions of phones in 4 seconds.
Scary.

 

[Chi84]

Yes, Zegler will be fine. She is very talented.
And it’s her choice how she wants to approach the public and media.
It’s her career to win or lose.

But I do think her comments impacted this one particular film or at least it’s opening weekend.
it’s something public figures need to study and be aware of. One comment can instantly hit millions of phones in 4 seconds.
Scary.

I don’t think it impacted it as much as the Herculean task of bringing that film into a modern day setting.

But the speed at which nonsense travels these days is concerning.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I think we all stand to learn more on issues of representation and equality. All of us have our blind spots and biases, myself included.

I said I was bowing out but this is a great post and I agree, biases have levels though and on a scale of 1-10 I’d put racist as the 10, it’s the worst of the worst and should be used appropriately.

 

[erasure fan1]

You steadfastly refuse to acknowledge historical context. Making Disney’s ONLY Black princess white is not the same as casting an Hispanic actress as Snow White. I am sure you are familiar with the history of race in the United States.

And who's fault is it that she's the only one? Maybe direct your issues at Disney instead of looking for reasons to shame people here. Serious question. Do you really think race swapping is the answer to equality? Seems to me they've proven they can make new diverse films. Moana, encanto, coco... And the ones that didn't succeed like Reya and wish, just weren't good films not because of race.

This is similar to your claims that the reaction to Mackie as Captain America can’t be driven by racial views because he was accepted as Falcon. Yes, historically African-American men have been consigned to secondary sidekick roles. That has been viewed as “their place.” It is when Mackie is elevated to the role of hero

There's always a but with you. He wasn't just accepted, he was loved by the majority. A fan favorite. The thing you refuse to acknowledge, is that maybe, just maybe, people would have liked/preferred, to see a character they loved, get a shot to break out of that sidekick role and be the lead.

And for the record, I don't refuse to acknowledge that race can be a part of it. At this point I just don't think you want to listen. Where we differ is I'm not looking at the world all side eyed all the time. There's bad people in the world, there always will be. History is littered with them. But I don't think they are controlling the narrative as much as you do.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Thus far, the number of RT reviews goes up, but the average seems stuck at 46%.

I considered seeing it last night, was just feeling tired. More likely to wait until Sunday/Monday now.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

If PatF came out today there would be a firestorm of rage over “race swapping” a “European” princess.

You steadfastly refuse to acknowledge historical context. Making Disney’s ONLY Black princess white is not the same as casting an Hispanic actress as Snow White. I am sure you are familiar with the history of race in the United States. Without delving into too much detail, given the realities of 21st century Hollywood, insisting that the race of characters remains unchanged guarantees that the marginalization of minority groups in media continues.

This is similar to your claims that the reaction to Mackie as Captain America can’t be driven by racial views because he was accepted as Falcon. Yes, historically African-American men have been consigned to secondary sidekick roles. That has been viewed as “their place.” It is when Mackie is elevated to the role of hero - a hero that represents the concept of America - that the racial standards many people still believe in, consciously or unconsciously, are violated and a firestorm erupts.

Different things are different.

The public isn't interested in your social engineering and the box office results demonstrate it repeatedly.

 

[Disney Irish]

Early estimates has Thursday night previews at $3.5M. From what I can tell this is middle of the road for the "classic" Disney era live action movies but lower than some of the renaissance Disney live action movies, which maybe telling unto itself where audiences have the most nostalgia for these days.

It seems to be tracking high with kids, especially girls under 12 which isn't surprising.

"Disney‘s Thursday preview figure for Snow White came in at $3.5 million. Early PostTrak shows 5 stars with kids under 12. Of those kids who showed up last night, 84% were girls under 12.

The film’s general audience is 3 stars. However, definite recommend is low at 39%. In fact, Warner Bros’ The Alto Knights has a higher definite recommend of 44%. Parents with Snow White are weathering the film at 2 1/2 stars, though their definite recommend is higher at 52%."

Ho-Hum, Ho-Hum: ‘Snow White’ Opens To $43M — What Poisoned This Princess At The Box Office – Sunday AM Box Office Update

Disney's controversial 'Snow White' begins with $3.5M in previews on Thursday.

deadline.com

We'll see how it goes, but from these early results parents (especially those with young girls) seem not to care as much about the "drama" as some here would have us believe.

 

[BrianLo]

Honest question here.

Do studio execs cast on reviews or box office results ?

I guess the answer might be it depends.

But for big budget films I’m sure they look at past results.

Box office for their tentpoles and then Searchlight surely fishes for attaching stars to vehicles to Oscars.

It’s really easy to look at this retrospectively only from a place of judgement. There’s really nothing to suggest Disney miscast her at the time. A rising star, tested through several big musical studio productions. Excellent voice and skills. Right age. The look is right. Now by all indications she did a great job in the role.

The comments (from her end) came after. I don’t see how she was a miscast at the time, she’s infinitely better casting than Kristen Stewart.