TLK

Universal's biggest problem is that they don't have a Superhero property. These days all the money is in movie franchise business and even their biggest franchise (Fast & Furious) is not in a good place after losing Paul Walker. F7 will make a lot of money next year because Walker will be a part of it but what happens next ? They have a $400 million dollar movie in SWATH with a couple of high profile actors attached for the sequel. They have to find a good director, a good script and give it their best shot. If they can keep the budget in the $130 million range then I don't think this will lose money given the genre and the actors attached to star.

These movies make money. Maleficent had so many naysayers and it is going to double Edge Of Tomorrow's worldwide total.

Based on the choice of directors they are going for a darker , more character driven movie and based on the list of directors interested they must have a good script.

I am rooting for this movie to explode in China. Fantasy genre hasn't really taken off in China as compared to action/Super Hero movies. I hope Maleficent will change the trend.

Pattinson won't work. They need someone who is older (late 30s/early 40s just like Ford was back then) and isn't so strongly identified with a Teen franchise. If they really want him then they better wait for another decade.

So basically this is a repeat of last year as all the big movies are crowding each other out. If anything the multipliers this year are going to be a lot worse. Godzilla and TASM2 will have < 2.3 multipliers. DOFP will probably crawl to a 2.05 from a 4 day weekend.

Indiewire polls some 50 critics to find their favorite movies and performances from Cannes. http://www.indiewire.com/survey/best-films-and-performances-from-cannes-2014/ This is my favorite Category for obvious reasons http://www.indiewire.com/survey/best-films-and-performances-from-cannes-2014/best-supporting-performance/* KStew beats out Ruffalo,JK Simmons, Carell and 45 other actors for best supporting performance.

I don't think Sinister Six is gonna happen any time soon.

I am surprised by the reviews KStew is getting. Good for her. If it is between Ceylan and Dolan then I think Ceylan wins the Palme and Dolan will get the director. Marion Cotillard will win Best Actress for Dardennes. Godard is the wild card. He is 83 and it is unlikely that he will return to Cannes competition. Will the jury just completely ignore a giant like him ?

1. Leviathan is getting good response so far. You never know what the jury will go for when there is no obvious frontrunner. 2. Sils Maria trailer just dropped. I can see the jury going for it if the movie is good enough.

IDGAF about Scientology and his personal life but Tom Cruise has been the biggest, most consistent box office draw of the past 25 years. Even today he is much bigger draw than most A-list actors and actresses.

Don't forget Zvyagintsev's Leviathan . The movie has screened for buyers and there is a lot of buzz around it. Jake Howell of MCN tweeted that Leviathan is the best movie in the competition.

Artist is not a great movie. He makes comedies and this one comedy hit a nerve with old farts at the AMPAS who gave him an Oscar. He is a victim of undeserved success.

Dolan winning the Palme will be something else. I don't think it will happen even though the reviews are good.

Cannes ain't no country for rookie filmmakers.

Very good response. Its Oscar campaign is back on track.

JLaw must be worth a lot more. They paid her $10 million for THG2. She must have made more from the next two parts. What's your source ?

Godzilla helps in diversifying the blockbuster slate so I am all for it winning this battle with CA2 and TASM2.

Godzilla's trailer was more viewed in the first week of release than any of the Superhero movies it is competing with so signs of breakout were there but I wasn't expecting $90 million+. Very impressive marketing campaign by WB which makes me question their efforts for Transcendence. They probably saw it was a turd and decided to cut their losses.

Very strong numbers but I don't see $100 million. Probably $96-97 million is where it will end up.

This is exactly what I thought when I read the story of The Rover. Michod is a very good director but Animal Kingdom had a unique story. The Rover seems like a more generic post-apocalyptic movie. I am not getting excited about Fury Road either for the same reason. Just seems too generic.

Binoche won't win Best Actress. If Assayas movie is good enough to win the Palme then I can see her being mentioned along with Assayas just like what they did last year. Cotillard is the favorite for best actress for some very good reasons. Julianne Moore also has a pretty good chance.

How some prominent International critics are rating the movies - http://www.todaslascriticas.com.ar/cannes

Nicole Kidman needs to do an Adam Sandler movie at this point in her career.

I don't think Dolan will win anything. He is a very polarizing director and you don't win anything at Cannes without consensus. There is no one on the jury who will go to bat for Dolan. All directors that you guys have mentioned have admirers in the jury so while Ceylan is definitely a favorite I can see another 6-8 directors who can win the Palm.