Porthos

I think the slightly fairer way to put it is treating a completed higher budgeted movie as more akin to a failed TV pilot (where something is shot but never aired) is in fact pretty damn rare. If only for the price tags involved. When it comes to expensive failed TV pilots, there is the semi-famous example of the GoT prequel where HBO flushed at least 30m+ down the drain on a pilot for Bloodmoon, and that's not even counting all of the money on preproduction. I also seem to recall recently hearing about another expensive streaming series which was axed before it saw the light of day, though damned if I can remember it right now. With the blurring of movies and TV with the rise of streaming (and especially expensive streaming shows), perhaps it's not that surprising to see some companies/WB treat films more like TV pilots in that they'd rather eat the costs than try to recoup them in some sort of release. On the other hand, a great deal of the backlash to Batgirl and Coyote vs Acme and even Scoob 2 is that folks in the industry don't want completed films to go down the route of being seen as akin to TV pilots. If they cause enough of a stink now, maybe they can stop the practice from actually becoming a trend in the first place.

After some thought while on my evening walk... Assorted comps against recent sub 4m movies: 1.48702x Shazam 2 at T-2 [5.05m] 1.10064x Haunted Mansion at T-2 [3.41m] 1.51893x Blue Beetle at T-2 [5.01m] 1.33815x Kung Fu Panda 4 at T-2 [5.08m] So, yeah, there's a chance at 5m. But it needs fairly strong walkups to do it. See tomorrow which path is the most likely out of all the comps from the last two posts.

Quick and Dirty Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Sacramento Report [T-2] 1203/28455 (4.23% sold) [+223 tickets] [200 showtimes] 0.79669x GBA at T-2 [4.05m] [adj'ed for ATP hikes since 2021] 0.57395x Sonic 2 at T-2 [3.59m] 0.46828x BA at T-2 [3.56m] 0.37606x Wick 4 at T-2 [3.35m] 0.50483x Fast X at T-2 [3.79m] 0.48082x RotB at T-2 [4.23m] 0.76478x BOSS at T-2 [4.40m] 1.17595x Wonka at T-2 [4.12m] 0.94874x Aqua 2 at T-2 [4.27m] ==== Yeaaaaah... Thazza... That's not exactly the jump I was looking for here (+134 --> +223). Falling against GBA isn't a good sign at all. Mind, BOSS and Wonka more or less stayed steady and Aquabro 2 rose a tic. On the other hand, RotB fell a tic. Got a whoooole lot riding on reviews tomorrow, locally at least. Might just be under-performing/late arriving crowd here. ETA::: commentary made before I saw the post from @keysersoze123. Have to largely agree; was looking for a larger jump. That it sold fewer tickets than GBA did on its Tmobile day locally (333 vs 223)? Well... Like I said, whole lot riding on reviews/social media impressions.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Greater Sacramento Area Premiere Night Seat Report: T-9 days and counting Capped Sellouts Showings Seats left Total Seats Seats Sold Perct Sold TOTALS 0 0 130 19289 20233 944 4.67% Total Showings Added Today 4 Total Seats Added Today 370 Total Seats Sold Today 64 T-9 Comps % Sold T-12 Total Sold Sellouts Shows Seats Left Total Seats Perct Sold Final Sold % of Final Comp BA 79.19 71 1192 0/152 21769/22961 5.19% 4494 21.01% 6.80m Wick 4 64.52 71 1463 0/109 13836/15299 9.56% 5448 17.33% 5.74m Fast X 69.31 64 1362 0/179 26523/27885 4.88% 4122 22.90% 5.20m AtSV 36.41 192 2593 0/140 19549/22142 11.71% 9744 9.69% 6.32m RotB 86.29 80 1094 0/120 18343/19437 5.63% 9744 9.69% 7.59m FNAF 38.90 125 2427 0/122 15268/17695 13.72% 6466 14.60% 4.01m BOSS 150.08 43 629 0/85 12360/12989 4.84% 2701 34.95% 8.63m GBFE 160.27 39 589 0/123 20131/20720 2.84% —— ——% 0.00m FINAL SOLD NOTES: "Final sold" is the number of tickets sold for the movie in question at stop of tracking while "% of final" is the percentage of Godzilla x Kong's current tickets sold versus that final number. Regal: 194/7694 [2.52% sold] Matinee: 28/2085 [1.34% | 2.97% of all tickets sold] 3D: 81/4642 [1.74% | 8.58% of all tickets sold] PLF: 585/8686 [6.73% | 61.97% of all tickets sold]

Okay, now into spoilers: Aside from that observation, another solid entry. if one focused on character development. Might be the most "episodic" entry so far, even though it still did advance the plot a good deal. Have to admit, I'm getting more intrigued as to just where the Crosshair/Omega storyline is going. Might be an "old grumpy guy"/"idealistic young girl" ancient trope, but it's a well done version of said trope. Curious, might be the best word for it really. Solid 8/10, I think. Quieter episode than the last few, but good to take in a breath now and again. One of the nicer things a longer season allows.

No context dialogue: Crosshair: I'm not gonna like it, am I? Omega: You don't like anything. Crosshair [resigned sigh]: True.

Interesting. Pour one out for the Dathomiri: Got to say, reading shit like this makes my ears perk up in a good... nay, great way. I love it when SW remembers there's more to the Force than Jedi/Sith and if this show is gonna explore some of the underlying concepts of the Jedi amassing too much power and no matter how well intentioned a group is, no group should be the sole arbitrators of power? Well, this could be My Jam just as much as Andor was, just in a very different way. Really is a fantastic interview, and I encourage people to read it: https://collider.com/the-acolyte-jedi-clone-wars/ (also talks about the possibility of a Season 2, is this "a four hour movie" and other streaming concerns)

"Creating Magic is not for amateurs" is a hell of a pull quote. 👍 For all of the perhaps mixed emotions George may have in regards to how the sequel trilogy played out, let's not forget why he sold to Disney in the first place [as opposed to opening up bids or whatnot]: Overall he trusted them to back LFL and allow them to tell stories, as that was what was most important to him. Sure, it hasn't been all peaches and cream or sunshine and roses. Sure, "WeRE nEVeR GEttINg AnoTHer StAR wArS fILM eVeR AGaiN1!!" Sure sure sure. What the fuck ever. Hollywood is a difficult biz, even in easy economic times. Says a lot that even after all of that Lucas is putting out a pretty full throated endorsement of Iger and his team.

@Starphanluke link: https://www.starwars.com/news/leslye-headland-interview

Which is ironic, because the most criticized scenes were (mostly) on traditional green screens!

It's almost as if SW has a "Broken Base" of fans, to use the TV Tropes terminology. 😛 (the real "problem" is that SW has such a large fanbase/casually interested group of folks is that it is literally impossible to appeal to everyone, all the time) ((exasperated by the fact that OG SW is a mishmash of VERY different genres and cultural influences)) (((Further exasperated by the, shall we say, different tones/styles of stories of the various films and series over the last 45+ years)))

Def a teaser trailer. A good one, nonetheless, especially when it comes to setting tone and mood. V light on plot, however, which is why I can see some being a bit more reserved about it. But when it comes to selling what the series about? Does its job, especially when it comes to planting seeds/laying out breadcrums. ... Besides, Moar Trinity Carrie Anne Moss Being Awesome is always welcome! 👍

Quick and Dirty Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Sacramento Report [T-3] 980/27659 (3.02% sold) [+134 tickets] [192 showtimes] 0.83263x GBA at T-3 [4.24m] [adj'ed for ATP hikes since 2021] 0.60123x Sonic 2 at T-3 [3.76m] 0.45120x BA at T-3 [3.43m] 0.37023x Wick 4 at T-3 [3.30m] 0.47665x Fast X at T-3 [3.57m] 0.49545x RotB at T-3 [4.36m] 0.74924x BOSS at T-3 [4.31m] 1.13426x Wonka at T-3 [3.97m] 0.90239x Aqua 2 at T-3 [4.06m] ======= Eh. Not much movement at all from comps from yesterday. For those curious: 0.85025x GBA at T-4 [4.33m] [adj'ed for ATP hikes since 2021] 0.62160x Sonic 2 at T-4 [3.89m] 0.44857x BA at T-4 [3.41m] 0.36703x Wick 4 at T-4 [3.27m] 0.47157x Fast X at T-4 [3.54m] 0.49882x RotB at T-4 [4.39m] 0.75334x BOSS at T-4 [4.33m] 1.18987x Wonka at T-4 [4.16m] 0.90968x Aqua 2 at T-4 [4.09m] Wonka comp did move up a skosh, OTOH, the GBA comp went down a skosh. But also random noise can be random. All in all, no real movement to speak of. Still, tomorrow is the real acid test. 'till then while I have opinions on where this is gunna land, at least for previews, I'm open to them being adjusted depending on just how well it does T and W.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Greater Sacramento Area Premiere Night Seat Report: T-10 days and counting Capped Sellouts Showings Seats left Total Seats Seats Sold Perct Sold TOTALS 0 0 126 18983 19863 880 4.43% Total Seats Sold Today 63 T-10 Comps % Sold T-12 Total Sold Sellouts Shows Seats Left Total Seats Perct Sold Final Sold % of Final Comp BA 78.50 47 1121 0/148 21302/22423 5.00% 4494 19.58% 6.74m Wick 4 63.22 59 1392 0/95 12399/13791 10.09% 5448 16.15% 5.63m Fast X 67.80 82 1298 0/178 26412/27710 4.68% 4122 21.35% 5.08m AtSV 36.65 154 2401 0/129 18385/20786 11.55% 9744 9.03% 6.36m RotB 86.79 36 1014 0/120 18423/19437 5.22% 9744 9.03% 7.64m FNAF 38.23 154 2302 0/102 12969/15271 15.07% 6466 13.61% 3.94m BOSS 150.17 86 586 0/82 11953/12539 4.67% 2701 32.58% 8.63m GBFE 160.00 33 550 0/116 19266/19816 2.78% —— ——% 0.00m FINAL SOLD NOTES: "Final sold" is the number of tickets sold for the movie in question at stop of tracking while "% of final" is the percentage of Godzilla x Kong's current tickets sold versus that final number. Regal: 177/7318 [2.42% sold] Matinee: 20/2085 [0.96% | 2.27% of all tickets sold] 3D: 71/4642 [1.53% | 8.07% of all tickets sold] PLF: 548/8686 [6.31% | 62.27% of all tickets sold]

Okay, more seriously, while they can't match the sheer firepower of the Dodgers (but which team can), they've had a sneaky interesting offseason. Their pitching staff's gonna be fun to follow, that's for sure! Especially if the gamble on Jordan Hicks pays off.

Just found out thanks to this tag!!!! (backlash to the firing of Renel was OBVIOUSLY the final needed piece of the puzzle)

ALL TOGETHER NOW::::

Already commented in the Acolyte thread, but that is one fucking fantastic poster. Probably the most evocative since this iconic one: Knowing how much Leslye Headland is a fan of the prequels/backstory that was teased at in them, I wouldn't be surprised if this was an influence on one level or another.

BTW, @M37, have the complete run of GBFE local data I can shoot you if it might help a little with your thoughts. ... It's... ummm... had some interesting up and down days, I'll put it that way.

That is one fucking fantastic poster, BTW. (also, as an aside, an official L-O-L to all the Fandom Menace losers/YT grifters who kept trying to claim this series was gonna get Zaslav'ed and never see the light of day)

Trailer incoming according to a buncha sources. Likely tomorrow, knowing LFL's patterns officially. Series debuting June 4th, according to the poster. ETA: Series synopsis: LFG!

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Greater Sacramento Area Premiere Night Seat Report: T-11 days and counting Capped Sellouts Showings Seats left Total Seats Seats Sold Perct Sold TOTALS 0 0 126 19046 19863 817 4.11% Total Seats Sold Today 64 T-11 Comps % Sold T-12 Total Sold Sellouts Shows Seats Left Total Seats Perct Sold Final Sold % of Final Comp BA 76.07 44 1074 0/146 20993/22067 4.87% 4494 18.18% 6.54m Wick 4 61.29 49 1333 0/95 12458/13791 9.67% 5448 15.00% 5.45m Fast X 67.19 48 1216 0/178 26494/27710 4.39% 4122 19.82% 5.04m AtSV 36.36 93 2247 0/129 18539/20786 10.81% 9744 8.38% 6.31m RotB 83.54 62 978 0/120 18459/19437 5.03% 9744 8.38% 7.35m FNAF 38.04 80 2148 0/102 13123/15271 14.07% 6466 12.64% 3.92m BOSS 163.40 69 500 0/82 12039/12539 3.99% 2701 30.25% 9.40m GBFE 158.03 8 517 0/116 19299/19816 2.61% —— ——% 0.00m FINAL SOLD NOTES: "Final sold" is the number of tickets sold for the movie in question at stop of tracking while "% of final" is the percentage of Godzilla x Kong's current tickets sold versus that final number. Regal: 160/7318 [2.19% sold] Matinee: 17/2085 [0.82% | 2.08% of all tickets sold] 3D: 72/4642 [1.55% | 8.81% of all tickets sold] PLF: 524/8686 [6.03% | 64.14% of all tickets sold]

CALIFORNIA FINALLY WENT BLUE IN THE WESTWING-VERSE!!!!

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire — Greater Sacramento Area Premiere Night Seat Report: T-12 days and counting Capped Sellouts Showings Seats left Total Seats Seats Sold Perct Sold TOTALS 0 0 126 19110 19863 753 3.79% Total Seats Sold Today 92 T-12 Comps % Sold T-12 Total Sold Sellouts Shows Seats Left Total Seats Perct Sold Final Sold % of Final Comp BA 73.11 55 1030 0/146 21037/22067 4.67% 4494 16.76% 6.28m Wick 4 58.64 53 1284 0/90 12301/13585 9.45% 5448 13.82% 5.22m Fast X 64.47 69 1168 0/178 26545/27713 4.21% 4122 18.27% 4.84m AtSV 34.96 85 2154 0/129 18632/20786 10.36% 9744 7.73% 6.07m RotB 82.21 43 916 0/120 18521/19437 4.71% 9744 7.73% 7.23m FNAF 36.41 83 2068 0/102 13203/15271 13.54% 6466 11.65% 3.75m BOSS 174.71 46 431 0/82 12108/12539 3.44% 2701 27.88% 10.05m GBFE 147.94 22 509 0/116 19307/19816 2.57% —— ——% 0.00m FINAL SOLD NOTES: "Final sold" is the number of tickets sold for the movie in question at stop of tracking while "% of final" is the percentage of Godzilla x Kong's current tickets sold versus that final number. Regal: 145/7318 [1.98% sold] Matinee: 14/2085 [0.67% | 1.86% of all tickets sold] 3D: 66/4642 [1.42% | 8.76% of all tickets sold] PLF: 488/8686 [5.62% | 64.81% of all tickets sold]