filmscholar

"THE BATMAN & THE JOKER" LOL, I think Reeves world has a Joker already. Though it has that dark tone, it's still has a different feel then the Scorsese style that Todd has done. Reeves version was much more Fincher than Scorsese. Look it's kind of like the "Venom" situation. Is Venom doing great as an anti-hero spin off? Sure but people really want to see Venom V Spiderman. If Spidey showed up in this next "Venom" movie it would explode. If Batman showed up against Joaquin it would explode too. But the timeline doesn't work. Now that this Joker has blew up as a solo Film, I'm sure there are people that want to see him take on Batman. But by establishing that Bruce Wayne is a child in this timeline (Early 80s), they can stay clear of Batman. Now I would like a younger Commissioner Gordon and the Gotham PD to get more involved Or see younger versions of other Batman Villains come into play kind of like that "Gotham" TV Show but I do not expect to see Batman in these Joker Films. But I'm serious about "Venom", if Tom and Tom team up, it would do big numbers.

When I say Joker is bigger than Batman, I think Box Office wise right now he is. No I do not think Joker is a bigger "Character" than Batman because he's a hero. Of course Kids love the heroes more than the villains. With that said. "Batman 89" sold more tickets than "Returns, Forever and Batman and Robin" because Joker was there. "The Dark knight" Sold more tickets than "Begins and Rises" because Joker was there. "Suicide Squad" did much better than the sequel without Joker (Even though no Will Smith was a factor along with Covid but If Leto came back it would have done better). Now Joker finally gets a stand alone and it breaks the R-Rated Record for first Billion Dollar Grosser by himself. "The Batman" did pretty good all things considered as the first solo Batman movie since "Dark Knight Rises". But it was not bigger than "Joker" was. Sure it came Post Pandemic but I do believe "Joker 2" will outgross it. Also both "BVS" and "JL" failed to make "Joker" gross and both of those were PG13 were as Joker was R-rated. Do I think Batman can get back to it's "Dark Knight" Billion Dollar Glory one day? Sure. But right now, Joker has a better chance of getting back to a Billion.

Plus Jack' Joker was nominated for Golden Globe for "Batman 89". "Joker" out grossed "The Batman", "Batman V Superman" and "Justice League" which Batman was in all those films. Even "Suicide Squad" with Leto's Joker did pretty decent WW numbers. So yes as of right now, Joker is bigger.

I liked the trailer definitely feels like a soft reboot but there were some nostalgic beats I liked. We'll see but I'm definitely interested. I like that the "Alien" Series for the most part always uses different directors to give a fresh take on the story. I see Ridley is still producing so I'm sure he approved obviously. Interesting timeline with it being between "Alien and "Aliens" which was explored during that "Isolation" video game. August slot shouldn't' be too much pressure. Covenant made 240 WW so we shall see.

Can't believe it's been 5 years. This looks like a very good sequel. Joaquin might get back to back Oscars because he really picked up where he left off. Gaga Will be in the hunt, her character looked just as crazy as him. She really made it her own thing. Could back to back Billion be in play? I definitely think it will beat Dunes numbers. Yes Sequels mostly drop so I wouldn't be shocked by a small drop. Regardless, I think it will be another big hit again. Also I believe this could be a Trilogy now.

Looks like another fun "Bad Boys" Film. Should be a crowd pleaser though these movies are R-Rated. Will definitely win on June 7th over "The Crow" remake. Then have a nice 2nd frame on father's day weekend against "Inside Out".

Yeah from what I'm hearing is these are mostly "Reshoots" and the film was pretty much done last year. Anyways, June 7 is a much better release date. I didn't like it going up against "Inside Out 2". Pixar is still Pixar even though they've been more on a downward trend as of late. Children's summer films always seem to do pretty well. "The Crow" is a niche cult audience but not a threat for Bad Boys to win the weekend. 50 Million is probably the floor right now but with Summer weekdays I think it won't drop much from "Bad Boys for Life". This is the quickest turnover for a film in the franchise that's basically 30 years old now. BB - 95 BB II - 03 (8 Years later) BB III - 00 (17 Years later) BB IV - 04 (4 Years later)

Very happy for Denzel. Before the "Equalizer" Trilogy, he never did a sequel and still generated over 3 Billion at the Worldwide Box office with a lot of dramas in there mostly. He's worked with Spike Lee and Tony Scott the most throughout this run. I'm happy he has a successful Trilogy now. I remember when "Equalizer" and "John Wick" came out in 2014. I very please with both franchises. I still can't believe "Gladiator 2" is really happening and Denzel is going to be in it. But yes Denzel is one of the last real Stars we have left. He's always been a very consistent draw. He has a sweet spot for Fall and Winter time too.

"Barbie" like "Super Mario Bros" is a multi-generational phenomenon. Especially for Girls and Woman. When I saw a "Barbie" the movie was being made. I thought "Well it could end up a little campy but if it taps into all those little girls that played with Barbie's for decades, watch out". With that said, I honestly didn't expect this. Most of the movies this summer seemed to be tailored to young boys and Men. "Barbie" did the exact opposite and leaned into marketing towards Woman. This numbers are astronomical honestly. I have to say, "Barbie" may have run the Best Marketing Campaign I've seen in over a Decade. I'm serious. This movie had ads all over the place for the last year. Those pink colors have been everywhere. Also the Casting worked because I don't think you have these numbers with a new actress and actor in leads. Margot and Ryan have both built up some good will over the years. Sure they had some averages numbers here or there. But this may be the breakout moment for them especially Margot. As for Nolan, he loves releasing in July but those are good numbers for a 3 hour Drama about the atomic bomb. He could had a #1 if he released it in a different weekend. It's a good rebound for him after the "Tenet" situation. It's also ironic that WB is taking the #1 over him this weekend though after everything that happen. As for "Mission Impossible". The movie was fantastic but the release date seems to have been an issue sadly. They were running away from Harrison and Indy and ran into a Barbie Wall. Also "Sound Of Freedom" is taking away a strong demos from "MI7". I was hard on "Elemental" when it opened but I'm very impressed with it's Legs. Remember this is an original animation and it gave young Kids a film to latch onto this summer. Sure "Spideyverse" also got kids too but this targeted even younger children. I think Weekend shows though Sequels can still generate but there must be a healthy mixture with new and original properties. Hollywood should not rely heavily on Sequels to carry the water for the Box office. Overall though there have been some disappointing numbers. I think this has been a pretty good Summer. The problem is we have to keep our expectations at bay post Pandemic.

I know Tom's has a busy schedule but after "Maverick" numbers, "Top Gun 3" should have been greenlit immediately for a 2025- 2026 release. Tom needs to finish the Trilogy before he eventually slows down on the Action stuff. "Mission Impossible" may be his biggest overall Franchise but "Top Gun 3" has the potential of another Billion which "Mission" has never done.

"Mission Impossible" does a great job spreading the sequels out and not beating everyone over head every other year. With that said, the "Espionage" Genre does have it's ceiling. Sure Bond can make 6-700, "Mission" would be 2nd in the Genre then everything else is 500 and under. I also didn't agree there would be a so called "Maverick" Bump. "Top Gun" like "Mario", "No Way Home" and "Avatar 2" became a "Must-See" event. It was also a long awaited Sequel. This is the 7th Mission Impossible. Though it's been 5 years, it's not like people "Missed" The Franchise like they missed "Top Gun" (36 year wait). Like "Fast X", I'm thinking Overseas will save the day for "Mission" if it comes under "Mission 96" Domestic unadjusted.

24 Million OD for a Franchise that's over 40 years old and a Legendary Star in the twilight of his career. I'd call this a good number. I know, I Know. The Budget. But considering this is 1980's property, I'm trying to look at this in a historical point of view. Indy is still popular and relevant enough to Win the Box Office after 40 Years. Plus the last sequel was 15 years ago and previous sequel was 19 years before that. So there's been huge gaps too. Obviously it's not making "Crystal Skull" numbers but with the Holiday coming up and decent WOM, I think it can do pretty good.

Interesting estimates, well see tomorrow how everything goes. But based on that, JLaw won Friday but is going to lose the weekend. I guess those aren't too bad numbers for a Romcom. "Elemental" I guess that's a decent hold but the OW wasn't good. But it's stabilizing slightly now. I'm just speechless on Spideyverse 2 domestically. With all this competition, it's still bringing in those dollars. I think Overseas numbers does better by the third film. Audiences are still getting to know this version of Spiderman. There really isn't nothing to say about the "Flash". Let's just say it's a sinking ship. "Black Adam" will remain the highest grossing DC film until I guess "Aquaman 2". Even if it drops from the original, I still see i doing more than 400 WW. Transformers is just "There'. It's making money but i's not really breaking out at all after winning it's weekend. The Competition really did hurt it most IMO. "Fast X, Flash, Spiderverse" are pretty much the same Demo's. Speaking of Fast X, Overseas literally is going propel it to 700 Million. If they get the budget in check they will be fine. LM is crawling to 300 Million but it's looking like it should get there. So as of right now, Spiderverse is the movie of the summer until further notice.

Damn it dropped all the way to 4th place already and it's behind "Elemental". These "Flash" numbers are beyond a mess. Anyways, I guess Indy V has a clean opening next weekend. Pretty much mostly holdovers. Hopefully we get some good news.

People in the media and online talked a lot of trash about the Rock and "Black Adam" performance but when you pull the curtain back, General Audiences do not know "Black Adam" like that yet The Rock almost got it to 400 Million WW. The "Flash" had 2 Batman's in it so what's the excuse? "Black Adam" wasn't as bad of a performance as many proclaimed again I think the budget was a little much for a character not known as much.