Based on the numbers...

[arib]

I'm not anticipating a Serenity sequel unless the DVDs do very well.

Comments

[tovaks.livejournal.com]

I don't remember where, but I read that Universal has already signed a contract to make 3 films (including this one).

[arib.livejournal.com]

nonono. Signed a contract with an option for two sequels.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Have you seen the movie yet?

Orson Scott Card (whom I don't like, as a person) says it's his all time favorite science fiction movie, and if Ender's Game can't be as good as Serenity, he doesn't want it made.

But numbers matter. I'll actually be okay if there are no sequels. I love the characters, but . . .*sigh*

[arib.livejournal.com]

twice since it opened, twice as pre-screenings.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about the pre-screenings.

I don't think I can see it again right away. Twice in two days . . . and I'm already in a weird space right now. Maybe in a couple of weeks, I'll be ready again. It's certainly wonderful. But my feelings are not all smooth.

[active-apathy.livejournal.com]

They got a better opening weekend than they were expecting, which made them fairly happy. The US has it second only to Flightplan, and here it's fifth behind kids' movies (since it's their school holidays at the moment).

Still, there are two things they're hoping to get with Serenity. One is immense Firefly-esque DVD sales, since they've seen we're that kind of fandom. The other is Joss.

[tovaks.livejournal.com]

Eww, an *Ender's Game* movie!? Nooooooo! That would not, not, NOT work.

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

Way too early to tell, although you're probably right.

(Interestingly enough, after this movie I'm no longer desperate for more sequels. If the story stopped here, I'd be content.)

[sethg]

Googling "serenity whedon box office" turns up an article that describes its $10-million opening-weekend revenue as "neither hit nor flop", in the same range as Red Planet and Titan A.E.. By comparison, when Firefly first aired on TV, the pilot was 66th in the Nielsen ratings and went down to around 100th.

I don't remember the figures, but these days a large proportion of studio revenue comes from DVD sales rather than the theaters, so the DVD revenue shouldn't be discounted.

The move had a $39-million budget. Is that typical for SF B-movies these days?

[rosefox]

I believe it's in the works, with Card personally overseeing it.

[jennkitty.livejournal.com]

yeah, i told ryan i wanted to see it again, and i think he wants to wait a bit, as last time had such a strong impact on me.

(thank goodness i've learned to control my breathing when racked with sobbing. hyperventilation seems to freak him out.)

[reporteraliza.livejournal.com]

Well, it's near impossible to get a copy of the Firefly DVD on Amazon or Ebay for less than $30 and all copies have lots of people bidding on them plus tons of sales of posters and artwork, etc. While that doesn't translate into direct revenue for the company, it's still a benchmark of how much people like it - if, like me, they left the theatre and thought "I have to have me some more of that."

Of course, I'm going to play it safe and I'd have to go with "too soon to tell" on the issue of sequels or not.

[jezredfern.livejournal.com]

My brother and I went to see it, and the next day we went again with my dad. I loved it both times, and if I had the money, I'd go see it again. I think maybe the executives are aware they made a mistake - I just want to rub it in :)

[marlowe1.livejournal.com]

True. I want sequels, but this was a great conclusion to the series.