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Comics From Web To The Silver Screen

Sat, 06/23/2007 - 18:10 — xerexes
xerexes's picture

Variety reported this week that Platinum Studios' comic Cowboys & Aliens is headed for the movies in a deal with DreamWorks and Universal Pictures along with Imagine partners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. I didn't actually think that the comic of Cowboys & Aliens worked that well (just not a very good story, poor characterization and the wrong tone) but the concept is killer and conceivably in the right hands could be a fun popcorn kind of movie.

It's been awhile since I first wrote about this back in May 2003, and it's no longer such a stretch to imagine a webcomic translated to a movie.


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Sun, 06/24/2007 - 07:15 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Isn't Cowboys and Aliens

Isn't Cowboys and Aliens just a PRINT comic promoted online by Platinum Studios through the Platinum owned DrunkDuck site as opposed to a REAL webcomic? I mean doesn't Marvel, DC, etc have online versions of their print comic series that are now or will soon be movies? You wouldn't refer to them as webcomics, would you? Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 15:15 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

What came first, the chicken

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Heh. Technically, Cowboys and Aliens debuted online well before the book hit shelves. And unlike other publishers like DC or Marvel, Platinum has no problem with running the complete series online-- DC and Marvel to this point are just using the web as more of a preview tool, or way past issues of things trying to hook you to buy the book. Actually, now that i think of it, Platinum is pretty
proud of being multimedia, where they can take one concept, have it online, in book form, they even have some chat program thing with the characters. I think they call it "Full Circle Commercialization". This would be the first real success story for that type of concept through them.

 

I think the first webcomic made into a movie was Undercover Brother, someone told me. But this news here (as well as hopefully future things coming down the pipe) goes to show that it's possible to take
these webcomics online to whole other markets if you have the right connections to do so.

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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 18:18 — Erg
Erg's picture

I'll be more impressed when

I'll be more impressed when an independant webcomic makes it. What happened with Cowboys and Aliens was less about comics and more about Platinums ability to sell high concepts in comic form. Don't get me wrong, its great for platinum, the creators, and the investors in Platinum, but it is not high watermark for webcomics.
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Mon, 06/25/2007 - 01:15 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

This is what I was trying to say in the first place

Platinum's movie deal for "Cowboys" IN NO WAY moves webcomics forward one bit. With all the great webcomics out there that would make great movies, Platinum's keen marketing savvy of promoting their comic meant to be a movie property through the web as a "webcomic" to help increase it's marketablity as a potential film property to it's hollywood connections has somehow become "Yay! A webcomic is being turned into a film". No. It's not. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 12:46 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

When I say you're just not

When I say you're just not educated enough in this regard, I don't mean it to sound harsh, but clearly you don't get it, and that's fine. Like Platinum Studios or hate them, they're probably the only big hollywood people going around to meetings proud to say the word WEBCOMIC, proud that they own a Webcomics community, and explaining JUST what that is. Because outside this little circle of independent cartoonists coining their own phrases, trying to stick flags in things and say they were first at this or that, nobody else gives a crap about "webcomics". You don't see any comic publisher running around saying the word "webcomics" If Platinum sells this as a comic movie, and it was a webcomic, etc, that will totally help future independent webcomic people in pitching movies as a point of reference that some of the biggest names in Hollywood have signed on to PRODUCE (not option) . And when it's made and out, even better. It might not break records, but come on, there are some real pieces of crap out there that do!
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 14:13 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Gimme a break, DJ--The sequel!!!

Alright, first off--Damn hollywood! OK? When folks here talk about "moving webcomics forward" I'msure they'd settle on more readers taking notice of webcomics as a genre as opposed to the vegas odds, pie in the sky notion of a movie deal. But lets tke it as a packaged deal. You honestly think that somehow Platinum's pre-packaged, made to be made into a movie "Cowboys" comic/webcomic is somehow going to make more people in general read more webcomics? If you do, then then I'm surprised at you, DJ, because you are fooling yourself. Like Marvel, DC, Image, etc, before them Platinum isn't promoting comics, webcomics, or even comics to film. It's promoting it's comics, webcomics, and it's comics to film. And as such that's where people are going to look an what they're gonna see. Platinum isn't trying to benefit anyone other than Platinum. And there isn't anything wrong with that. If you don't get anything else, at least get that much. This is big business. Go, Platinum. make that money. But Not I, or anyone else here other than you is gonna benefit in anyway by Platinum's CALCULATED toe dip into the wonderful world of webcomics my friend. Bottom line on that one. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 14:25 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

Ok, I get it. You don't like

Ok, I get it. You don't like Platinum. But, like it or not, and do it if you want to or not, but if they make a movie, it becomes a point of reference to anyone who would hear or know of said movie. And that's smart business, sure. As a point of reference as a business perspective, it is a good thing for webcomic creators because it's another thing to help legitimize the medium. not the ONLY thing, mind you, but just one more thing. And, since I'm the resident Platinum cheerleader, I can tell you your thoughts about Platinum not giving a shit about webcomics or a calculated thing to help themselves, is pretty wrong. Ask Dylan Squires or the Drunk Duck people about that-- When Platinum buys up almost an entire row of Artist's alley and offers the space free to creators on the site, there isn't really any Platinum shilling to be found, they don't litter the space with Platinum this and Platinum that, it's ALL "DRUNK DUCK" banners and creators. That's helping absolutely no one but the creators, some of which couldn't afford to get a space on their own, or some it was their first show ever and it inspired them to do more shows. I respect YOUR opinion though, but I know you're wrong in that regard.
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 16:23 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

DJ? If what you got from

DJ? If what you got from what I said was that I don't like Platinum--You didn't get it. At all. I DON'T dislike Platinum. Or like them. They have my complete and total dis-interest. But if you think that in the long run this is going to help your wrong. If a big named company hawking it's wares online in the form of "webcomics" was going to help it would have done so long ago when marvel, DC, Image,etc started hawking there own "webcomics". And they are MUCH BIGGER names then Platinum. And lets be clear.Platium bought an entire artist alley row for DD arists and DD is OWNED by Platinum. They weren't heping anybody as much as they were helping themselves because it gets them press release value. And god knows there's no lack of Platinum press releases. I'm about done with this conversation, DJ. You're right. Platinum will save us all. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 16:55 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

Well, I hope whatever is in

Well, I hope whatever is in your "half empty" glass serves you well in the future. I was only saying from a broad perspective, it does much more good for webcomics than any bad. And don't kid yourself, DC and Marvel have never done original webcomics.
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 18:37 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

DJ? I don't have a half

DJ? I don't have a half empty OR a half full perspective on life. I have a realists perspective on life. Unlike most others who see every Big name companies toe dip into anything digital or online or "webcomic" relatived as anything helpful to webcomics as a whole other then being the latest version of corporate publicity in the 33% more, a prize in every box, fortified with a full days supply of Vitamin C variety marketing. What was the last "bound to save webcomics" press realease reported here? Oh yeah, Marvel makes move into digital distribution. Yeah, I know with that and all Platinum's efforts on my/your/our/webcomics behalf I can see the promised land already. :) Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 04:20 — Chris Jeffery
Chris Jeffery's picture

DJ may be very enthusiastic

DJ may be very enthusiastic and a little bit defensive of Platinum, (and who can blame him, considering his position) but don't let that skew your perspective on the issue. Platinum may only be promoting themselves and no one else, but they're still introducing many, many new people to the concept of webcomics by promoting their own. Do you have any clue how many people out there don't even realize that there are comic strips on the internet? Hell, I've only been aware of it for about five years now. I've yet to speak to a person who I didn't meet in a video game or comic book store that was already aware of webcomics.

Platinum is only promoting themselves, sure. But they own a webcomic community, and they're not afraid to say so. Combine that with their efforts to make their comics reach a larger audience and the end result is a larger potential audience for any webcomic. The benefits to other comics may not be earth-shaking or direct, but they exist nonetheless.

 

Chris Jeffery
_______________
cartridgecomics.com

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Chris Jeffery
Cartridge Comics

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 06:54 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Platinum is promoting

Platinum is promoting Platinum to US--And we already know all about Platinum. We get bombarded by their everything is a press release press releases. And that's like preaching to the choir. Believe me, I know exactly that there are flks who have absolutely no idea that webcomics exist. But if you, or me, or DJ,or anybody else is waiting for Platinum, or Marvel, or any other comic company who's business it is not to raise awareness of webcomics but to sell it's brand be it print comics, webcomics, etc, you'll be waiting a long long time. What pisses me off are these "what does this company doing so and so mean for webcomics?" How long have we been asking that question? How long as the answer been "not a goddamned thing" to anyone not working for the company. And how goddamned long before we STOP ASKING THAT DUMBASS QUESTION? Right now every Big name publisher has a web version of their comic online aand have for sometime now before Platinum ever got around to doing anything more then saying that they were going to put out comics--Eventually. And MUCH bigger names in the business then Platinuum. Are you any better off? If you can ask me if I know how many people don't know about webcomics after Marvel, DC, Image, etc, have been online with comics for years now the answer is no. So if you think that Platinum shooting off a press release a minute to newsarama Digitalwebbing, Comixpedia, etc, etc, and preaching to the choir, or mentionig in passig that "Cowboys" was a webcomic in a meeting they set up to make "Cowboys" a movie whether it was ever a webcomic or not has somehow improved our lot, there's a bridge in brooklyn I can get you for cheap. All Platinum buying DD means is that Platinum is willing to spend money to ensure the marketablity of the comics they want to make into movies. And if that means those comics must also be webcomics, then so be it. And I have absolutely no problem with that. Like I said, it's business. And go ahead and make that money Platinum. My problem is with us webcomickers always looking for a savior. Bottom line? Ain't nobody gonna do for you, you've got to do for yourself. Here endeth the lesson. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 11:22 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

I don't know about you, but

I don't know about you, but i consider myself a cartoonist who happens to have work in the webcomic medium. With books i would get a little respect, but the "webcomic medium" you pretty much still get laughed at if you say your work is online, or people don't take it as seriously. It's the ultimate VANITY PRESS. I think you're missing the point on Platinum, and why it might be good for the webcomic medium IN PASSING. Chris nailed it and gets it, you don't. While you see their press releases here and and comic sites, those same releases are seen elswhere-- but it wasn't a press release they wrote when the news broke on fucking VARIETY or Hollywood Reporter. The difference between Platinum and a Marvel and DC, is, like Chris said, Platinum isn't afraid to run in and there and tout the fact they own a "webcomics community" and explain what they is, what it does, and what WEBCOMICS MEAN TO THE FUTURE OF COMICS AS A WHOLE. I've been rambling for years on my own blogs how I believe the webcomics medium will save and revolutionize the entire comic medium. In 1999 I got grilled for saying that, but anything I see that furthers that goal to the mainstream audiences out there, I'll support. Maybe you need to step out of this sandbox a little?
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 18:38 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Is that the hook? That

Is that the hook? That Platinum whispering the word webcomic is good for webcomics IN PASSING? Well, then ever webcomic/comic site with an RSS feed is good for webcomics--And not just IN PASSING. And you talk at me about Variety like it's an actual NEWSPAPER and not some hollywood trade magazine that doesn't matter a damn outside of the hollywood circle. I know when I go to get a newspaper I pick up the Daily News, the NY Times--Oh yeah, and fucking Variety! And you're doing A LOT more then supporting Platinum. You're about thisclose to becoming Tom Cruise on the matter. It's a wonder your typing isn't more static from all the couch jumping. I'm really REALLY sorry that I started all this. Because this is more conversation then Platinum helping webcomics deserves--And not just IN PASSING! Now I really am done with this topic. Enjoy. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 21:52 — xerexes
xerexes's picture

You Disagree - Let it go

Guys - you disagree.

Everyone can make up their own minds, no need to keep going at each other here...

____

Xaviar Xerexes

On second thought, let's not go to Comixpedia. It is a silly place.

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Xaviar Xerexes Oh yeah... this place is called ComixTalk now.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 22:03 — Chris Jeffery
Chris Jeffery's picture

There you go beating me to

There you go beating me to the post button and making me feel bad for adding to this. :p

_______________
Chris Jeffery
Cartridge Comics

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_______________
Chris Jeffery
Cartridge Comics

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 22:01 — Chris Jeffery
Chris Jeffery's picture

I'm beginning to think you

I'm beginning to think you could really use some time away from the computer. You're all over this page arguing with people, ignoring their points, and barely making any sense at all.

Did you somehow miss the fact that Platinum is making a movie about a comic hosted on Drunk Duck? Regardless of how much it technically qualifies as a webcomic, the point is Platinum is being very vocal about pointing out that they're making a movie out of a webcomic, which will raise awareness of webcomics in general. No, this doesn't mean a savior has come along to send us all oceans of traffic, but it means we've made another small step into mainstream culture. I mean, look what movies like Spider-man and X-men have done for Marvel. While I hardly expect Cowboys and Aliens to be aywhere near that scale, it will still attract attention to the source material, and in turn, its medium.

_______________
Chris Jeffery
Cartridge Comics

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_______________
Chris Jeffery
Cartridge Comics

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 08:02 — TCampbell
TCampbell's picture

Well, there's already this.

Well, there's already this.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 15:44 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Give me a break, DJ. The

Give me a break, DJ. The minute anybody ever heard of Platinum there was Cowboys and Aliens (and various other Platinum universe comics) promised as a book. And for years folks have wondered if Platinum would EVER put out an actual book instead of a lot of promises about books that were coming. Someday. Now I'll give Platinum all the credit in the world for being savvy enough to realize that webcomics are big, getting bigger, and a great way to promote there forthcomng comic(s) so they bought Drunkduck, but Cowboys and Aliens "the webcomic" is nothing more then a marketing gimmick for Cowboys and Aliens the comic or graphic novel, or whatever the hell it is. And I think UnderCover Brother was an online animated short and not a webcomic. But don't quote me. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 15:50 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Oops...

Sorry. Double post.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 20:24 — Scott Kurtz
Scott Kurtz's picture

First webcomic to make it to the movies?

I would say that Cowboys and Aliens is a webcomic on a technicality. But we really are lacking a decent definition of what the word webcomic really means.

You say webcomic are you talking about the community? Any comic on the web? Only comics that STARTED on the web?

All the syndicates have their newspaper strips online daily. Are those webcomics?

Cowboys and Aliens is an easy pitch to Hollywood. I think the idea would have a good shot as a pitch comic or not. But I know from friends who pitch their comics to hollywood studios and producers all the time.

The word is that it's easier to get something sold if it's ALREADY a comic book first.

Platinum is in the business of making comics to pitch to Hollywood. That's why they purchase properties instead of sharing ownership with creators. That's why they offer retailers free copies of the book and offer to pay retailers to promote the book to readers. It's all about prepping properties for Hollywood.

Comics is small potatoes for these guys. Giving a creator a couple thou for the property is small price to pay.

Sun, 06/24/2007 - 22:44 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

Well technically they keep

Well technically they keep you in on stuff, contractually, but yeah, you nailed it. To Hollywood, Comics are just really affordable "research and development"--
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 00:20 — xerexes
xerexes's picture

What community?

Scott Kurtz wrote:
You say webcomic are you talking about the community?

 

I thought there was no webcomic community...

 

Tongue out

 

____

Xaviar Xerexes

On second thought, let's not go to Comixpedia. It is a silly place.

—
Xaviar Xerexes Oh yeah... this place is called ComixTalk now.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 20:58 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

I agree with most of that,

I agree with most of that, Scott. I don't tHink Cowboys and Aliens is worth a movie. For the simple reason that, unless Clint Eastwood is in it, Cowboy movies ain't what they used to be as box office draws. Aliens help. But the last few movies with invading aliens in them pretty much tanked at the box office too. Sadly said the writer of "G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures" with a sigh. LOL! About webcomics? I owe DJ an apology. I've referred to "GAAK" as a webcomic for the longest time. But no matter how long it's been online (4 years now) it, like "Cowboys..." didn't start out that way, wasn't intended to be a webcomic, and won't end up as one when finished in August. It being a webcomic was just a momentary layover on route to it's becoming a print comic. Maybe that's the longrun problem with webcomics as a genre: If everything is a webcomic nowadays, then nothing really is, and vice versa. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Sun, 06/24/2007 - 22:48 — Coffman
Coffman's picture

Well, yeah, I just meant

Well, yeah, I just meant "technically" it debuted on the web. They've also called Hero By Night a webcomic that graduated to print a few times in press releases but it doesnt bother me. And this isn't meant as an offense to you, but it's just your opinion that Cowboys and Aliens isn't worth a movie. I mean, if it wasn't worth a movie, I doubt the big players out there would be producing and in on the deal. Its not a lot of people's cup of tea, including my own, but it's smart, "high concept" movie stuff that came from the same place your ideas come from, a brain.
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DJ Coffman- cartoonist

yirmumah.net - herobynight.com

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 00:10 — Erg
Erg's picture

Sci-Fi Channelly goodness

I am sure that, in the proper context, (in this case 2 am, when I have insomnia and am drinking a forty)Cowboys and Aliens will be a fun movie.
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Mon, 06/25/2007 - 00:58 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Exactly

If smeone told you the concept for Cowboys and Aliens you's immediately think Scifi channel and that's not a good thing. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 01:05 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

No offense taken

All I'm saying is that the Cowboy movie genre and the Alien invasion movie genre aren't exactly "two great tastes that taste great together" when it comes to movie box office success. I think the last successful western was Unforgiven and the last successful alien invasion movie was Independence Day. War of the Worlds is a remake and therefore doesn't really count. And as someone already pointed out, the concept sounds more like a Scifi channel movie of the week then a major motion picture release. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 04:39 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

"I think the last successful

"I think the last successful western was Unforgiven and the last successful alien invasion movie was Independence Day."

2002's SIGNS made $408 million (production budget: $72 million). And (SPOILER WARNING) the aliens were defeated by water.

2003's SCARY MOVIE 3 and 2006's SCARY MOVIE 4 both had satires of alien invasion films as their primary story structure, and they made a combined $398 million (with production budgets of around $40 million each).

And 2005's WAR OF THE WORLDS wasn't a direct remake and was based on a book (much like COWBOYS & ALIENS will be) to begin with, so it definitely counts. It made $591 million (production budget: $132 million).

People clearly love alien invasion movies. Even 1996's MARS ATTACKS! made $101 million in spite of audience-repelling Tim Burton weirdness and being released just months after INDEPENDENCE DAY ($816 million gross, $75 million production cost).

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 07:04 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

I didn't mention Mars Attack

I didn't mention Mars Attack because it didn't make any money after production costs. The Scary Movies are spoofs. When you pan a movie like "War of the Worlds" with "the first one was better"--It's a remake. And what's worse then aliens defeated by water like in Signs? Oh, I don't know--Aliens and Cowboys, perhaps? LOL! :) Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 07:24 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

MARS ATTACKS had a

MARS ATTACKS had a production cost of $70 million and made $101 million, so it grossed $31 million more than it cost. Factoring in the theatrical exhibitors' take, it probably wasn't immediately profitable, but I think it's safe to say that it is by now considering video/DVD sales and cable and broadcast licensing.

Alien invasion films have been extraordinarily successful. Even 1996's THE ARRIVAL starring Charlie Sheen (boy, was 1996 the year of alien invasion movies or what?) made $14 million in its limited theatrical release, on a production budget of only $5 million.

And it might not have had giant spaceships appear over every city in the world, but in my book, the MEN IN BLACK films were alien invasion movies as well.

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 18:14 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

Mars Attacks grossed $30

Mars Attacks grossed $30 million after costs--And is considered A FLOP! By comparison, lets take a classicly agreed upon flop Water World. Water World cost the same $100 million that Mars Attacks did but made over $220 million world wide. That's $100 million above cost all in--And it's a flop! Or would you stand there and disagree and say that Water World was a hit? A lot of movies flop here but make butt loads of money overseas, but they are no less flops. And we moan when we get another flop sequel shoved down OUR throats because of the bad taste of the rest of the world. I mean, honestly--Are you REALLY looking forward to the new AVP coming out this summer? Or do you just wish it'll go away? And as for the Arrival? A $9 million gross on a $5 million production cost IS NOT extraordinary successful by anybodies standards. But at least you didn't lose money and you got a direct-to-DVD sequel out of it, right? Crack the champagne. LOL! Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 19:47 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

When a film makes a profit,

When a film makes a profit, it's not a flop. Most films don't make a profit. Sure, we can look back at MARS ATTACKS and WATERWORLD and call them flops all we like, but the studios wouldn't look at those movies as flops, because they made a profit.

A flop is PLUTO NASH. $100 million budget, $7 million gross. That's a flop. To call MARS ATTACKS and WATERWORLD "flops" when there are movies like PLUTO NASH out there is laughable at best.

Whatever the case, my point still stands that alien invasion movies have an extraordinarily high rate of success.

Westerns, not so much. But westerns with a twist do. See BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN ($14 million production cost, $178 million gross).

Wed, 06/27/2007 - 07:36 — Erg
Erg's picture

I don't think you are correct here.

Its really a matter of return on investment. You invest 170 million plus another 30-40 million in advertising you expect to get more out of it than what WWW made. With advertising Water World was barely profitable, and not a good investment of the 250 or so million ultimately poured into it.
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Wed, 06/27/2007 - 20:03 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

Were they great investments?

Were they great investments? No, I didn't say they were. They were giant, stupid investments with relatively disappointing returns. But nobody should be investing $200 million into a movie in the first place. That's insanity. The original STAR WARS cost $11 million and it still looks spectacular. That was only thirty years ago. Costs haven't risen THAT much in thirty years. Money is just being spent stupidly today.

I think it's unfair to call a film a flop just because the production budget was insane. When a movie grosses $250 million, that's really good. That's a hit. It may be a hit that the studio should've put a hell of a lot less money into, but it's still a hit.

And PLUTO NASH is still a great big flop and as well as a disaster of an investment (as opposed to a just relatively disappointing investment).

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 00:31 — Scott Kurtz
Scott Kurtz's picture

I think Cowboys and Aliens

I think Cowboys and Aliens would make a good movie.Depending on who makes it of course. I don't think the concept is any better or worse than any other summer-popcorn-movie concept. A local comics team here in Dallas have a comic called Twilight: High Moon about cowboys vs. werewolves. That's the kind of stuff that gets pitched to Hollywood, right?
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 00:56 — TheDeeMan
TheDeeMan's picture

And that's also the stuff

And that's also the stuff that spends a week in theatre release before it goes straight to DVD and cable that you ONLY end up watching late on a saturday night with your buddies laughing at how lame the movie is. And I think the operative word in the press release is "optioned". It's a long road between optioned and made. Dee G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
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G.A.A.K: Groovy Ass Alien Kreatures It's like The Goonies meets The Invaders from Mars. Updates on Mondays.
Mon, 06/25/2007 - 07:44 — DAJB
DAJB's picture

How could anyone doubt the

How could anyone doubt the obvious box office potential of mixing cowboys and high-tech other-worldly sci-fi goodness? Just look at how well Wild, Wild West did.


Oh wait ... Okay, you may have a point.

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Broken Voice Comics Because comics are not just for kids
Tue, 06/26/2007 - 04:21 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

WILD WILD WEST made $222

WILD WILD WEST made $222 million. That's pretty darn good for a movie that was almost universally panned. Think of how much it could've made if it had entertaining dialogue, likable characters, and a coherent story!

If they keep the budget down to something reasonable (like the $65 million spent on Frank Miller's 300, as opposed to the $170 million spent on WWW), there's no reason a sci-fi western like COWBOYS & ALIENS couldn't be very profitable. It's got a high concept premise that immediately sounds like a lot of fun and is spelled out right there in the title.

Everybody thought pirate movies were box office poison until Captain Jack Sparrow swaggered in. (And those aren't just pirate movies, they're SCI-FI pirate movies. Well, supernatural pirate movies... close enough.)

Tue, 06/26/2007 - 04:25 — chriscrosby
chriscrosby's picture

And this probably shouldn't

And this probably shouldn't count since it's a sequel, but sci-fi western BACK TO THE FUTURE PART III made $244 million.

It had a production budget of $40 million. Talk about profitable...

Mon, 06/25/2007 - 08:51 — Sean C
Sean C's picture

It could work

It's an interesting concept for a movie, and Dreamworks has a pretty good record. I dunno, they might just do it right. We have to remember a lot of "blockbusters" wind up stinking, or being just a two-star deal. A lot of it deals with promotion. If there's an advertising blitz, it has a better chance of success. Look at Snakes on a Plane. (God, I'm sorry to bring this up again.) It was a stinker, but it was all over the web and had a cult following before it even hit the theaters. Transformers looks questionable, but how many of us here aren't going to see it? There's a commercial for that one almost every commercial break. It's a different, and interesting concept. If they advertise it enough, it's got a shot at being a hit.

Don't hesitate to procrastinate.

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Tue, 06/26/2007 - 11:04 — Chris_C.
Chris_C.'s picture

It certainly isn't the first

It certainly isn't the first thing I think of when I think "blockbuster summer films" but with the right cast and director it could be interesting. To be honest though, I'd rather watch the cowboys vs. werewolves thing. :p Haunted Pixel Studios
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Haunted Pixel Studios www.hauntedpixelstudios.com

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