Will 'Transformers' be a record-breaker?

Lee Stewart · 06-24-2009, 09:19 AM

Michael Bay's sequel set to bow Wednesday

Quote:

By Gregg Kilday

June 23, 2009, 08:49 PM ET

The Autobots and Decepticons begin slugging it out at the boxoffice Wednesday as "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," Michael Bay's sequel to his 2007 hit, opens for business.

The Paramount/DreamWorks production is invading 4,626 theaters in North America, including 169 Imax locations. In many locations, screenings were expected to start just after midnight.

Since its boxoffice domination is assured -- most competitors stayed away from confronting "Transformers" head-on -- the only question now is how muscular the alien robot tale, based on the Hasbro toy line, will be.

The first "Transformers" grabbed $155.4 million in its first seven days. By the end of this weekend, its sequel could hit a number in that same neighborhood -- but in just five days.

"This looks like it could be one of the biggest Wednesday openers -- with a shot of being the biggest," Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore said, predicting a five-day haul in the $130 million-$150 million range.

Par's competitors are betting the five-day number could climb higher than that, but Moore said, " 'Transformers' should open bigger than the first one, but to forecast beyond that is a little insane."

Comparisons are tricky since the two "Transformers'" movies are adopting slightly different rollout patterns.

"T1," debuting in 4,011 theaters, opened on a Monday evening on July 2, 2007, and played through the Fourth of July holiday, which that year fell on a Wednesday. Fanboys flocked to the movie's Monday showings, which took in $8.8 million, and momentum built for its Tuesday and Wednesday screenings, dipped a bit on Thursday, and then rallied for a Friday-Sunday weekend of $70.5 million.

"T2" is forgoing early evening screenings -- exhibitors have to wait until a minute after midnight to throw the switch -- so grosses from those midnight shows will roll over into the movie's opening Wednesday figure, which could rise to $35 million-$40 million. The Friday-to-Sunday number should outdo that of the first movie, checking in at $80 million-$90 million.

The suspense will be whether the newest "Transformers" can set a record along the way.

The five-day record for a Wednesday opener belongs to 2004's "Spider-Man 2," which notched $152.4 million. "Transformers" is likely to find itself in similar territory.

The mark for the biggest first five days, which belongs to "The Dark Knight" -- a Friday opener that raked in $203.8 million in its first five days -- is expected to stand.

Similarly, "Knight" also holds the record for biggest single-day and opening-day gross: $67.2 million, and that's another record that almost any film would be hard-pressed to topple.

Set "Knight" aside, though, and "Transformers" looks pretty formidable on its own terms. While Bay has been worrying that the studio hasn't gotten the word out, that doesn't appear to be the case. Tracking is coming on strong, and there is evidence that the movie's potential audience has expanded.

Movietickets.com reported Tuesday that the film, which now accounts for 93% of the online ticket seller's sales, had sold out more than 600 performances nationwide, including 274 midnight showings.

While men of all ages were primed for the original movie, younger women are showing almost as much interest as older males in the sequel, according to Moore. And even older women, many of whom will be bringing younger sons, are showing an openness to the movie.

"The cast is higher profile -- Shia (LaBeouf) has been in 'Indiana Jones' and 'Eagle Eye,' and Megan (Fox) has become a celebrity in her own right," Moore noted. That has contributed to the interest on the part of younger women, he said.

The rest of Hollywood has made Paramount's job easier by clearing a path for "Transformers." Competing studios booked May full of big-ticket movies -- "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," "Star Trek," "Angels & Demons" and "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian" -- but have mostly opened smaller comedies in recent weeks.

And since none of those earlier movies has turned into $300 million domestic grossers, the door is open for "Transformers" and, possibly, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," which opens July 15, to reach for those heights.

At the same time, "Transformers" is also breaking worldwide. It opened during the past weekend in the U.K. and Japan and bows everywhere else in the world this week, with the exception of India, where it will set down July 20

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...db09cf7599ac72

Loves2Watch · 06-24-2009, 09:29 AM

Probably even though it has gotten many bad reviews.

pjc · 06-24-2009, 09:35 AM

I think so. My buddy saw it Monday night (his GF works for M&M Mars). He liked it. It's like 2hrs 45mins. He said it felt about 30 mins too long, but was still great.

Bravestime · 06-24-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

It got off to an impressive start in the U.K. and Japan last weekend, grossing $19.6 million from 833 runs. Movie took north of $14 million from 517 runs in the U.K., far ahead of the original "Transformers" and coming within 3% of "The Dark Knight's" opening weekend gross.

Complete Article

Lee Stewart · 06-25-2009, 11:03 AM

ZMOG!

Megan Fox has a "Toe Thumb!"

That sucker is hideous!

Lee Stewart · 06-25-2009, 11:10 AM

Transformers has $55 million day

Quote:

FROM VARIETY: Sequel breaks Wednesday opening record
By Pamela McClintock of Variety -- Video Business, 6/25/2009
JUNE 25 | FROM VARIETY: Grossing north of $55 million, Paramount's sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen easily scored the best opening day ever for a Wednesday release at the domestic box office.
Previous record-holder was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which grossed $44.2 million in its first day.

Read the full story on Variety.com

http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6667365.html

Lee Stewart · 06-25-2009, 11:25 AM

It was higher - according to THR:

'Transformers' scores $60.6 mil on day 1

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...0927895c8e8ede

Bravestime · 06-25-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

ZMOG!

Megan Fox has a "Toe Thumb!"

That sucker is hideous!

YOUR RIGHT!!!!

Duran_Duran_x · 06-25-2009, 08:14 PM

i really like transformers
i'm seeing the second one tomorrow
revenge of the fallen
even though my mate spoiled it for me

97XBAM · 06-26-2009, 05:47 PM

Saw it online and the putrid 22% Rotten Tomatoes rating from the nation's critics is warranted . I usually only watch about 20 minutes or so online if I'm not sure about whether or not to see a movie . This one never got any better and I watched the whole sad mess . If you like special effects over plot , storyline , and dialogue chances are you'll like it . But this sequel had none of the humor or cleverness of the first . It has many of the same characters , sophmoric humor , terrible dialogue and plot . See it if you must , but a huge dropoff in the second week wouldn't surprise me at all !

tipstir · 06-26-2009, 09:36 PM

I am not going to see this crap and I didn't go and see the prior crap one either. I did see it on cable and it was crap. Not the same as the cartoon of the 80's and then in 90's - 00 more computer CGI stuff. But what is shown on the big screen looks phony. But you guys might like this crap..

**PFC5** · 06-28-2009, 12:30 AM

I just saw it tonight in the Directors Hall at a theater with bigger leather seats & all digital theater (for 50% more) with my family, and another family and it was decent enough IMO, but I liked the first one better. Fox chasing after the guy just doesn't seem like reality to me, but that made it more interesting for the wife and daughters. It had more action I would say also, but the action was more unique in the first one IMO, because we had not seen anything like it before with the special effects in the first one too.

Well that is my one movie in the theater for this year, and the rest will be in my own HT room, which I enjoy more.

Bravestime · 06-28-2009, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Transformers 2 Box Office Takes Aim at The Dark Knight

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen added $36.7 million to its pile of loot on Friday bringing its three-day box office take to $126 million. Thursday's total was an impressive $28.6 million after a record-breaking $60.7 million opening on Wednesday.

Anchored behind Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and ILM's visual effects wizardry, Michael Bay's Transformers 2 has a legitimate shot at toppling The Dark Knight's five-day opening record of $203.7 million. It will need to average roughly $40 on Saturday and Sunday, a realistic possibility considering Friday's total and the number of working folks who had to wait until the weekend for a viewing.

Complete Article

97XBAM · 06-28-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

I just saw it tonight in the Directors Hall at a theater with bigger leather seats & all digital theater (for 50% more) with my family, and another family and it was decent enough IMO, but I liked the first one better. Fox chasing after the guy just doesn't seem like reality to me, but that made it more interesting for the wife and daughters. It had more action I would say also, but the action was more unique in the first one IMO, because we had not seen anything like it before with the special effects in the first one too.

Well that is my one movie in the theater for this year, and the rest will be in my own HT room, which I enjoy more.

Yep, nothing like enjoying a movie at home . Usually I go to 4-6 theater movies every year , but this year it will probably only be Star Trek and James Cameron's 3D sci-fi flick Avatar in December . Using new technology , over a decade in development , and with a 300 million dollar budget it should be something special . At least I hope it will be !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGs3_1qKl34

Bravestime · 06-28-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

'Transformers' on top with $201.2 mil

Paramount’s sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” grossed an estimated $201.2 million from 4,234 theaters at the domestic box office to score the best five-day haul ever after “The Dark Knight.”
“Transformers 2’s” worldwide cume through Sunday was a massive $387 million, one of the best global deubts of all time.

Domestically, “Transformers 2,” grossed $112 million for the weekend after earning $89.2 million in its first two days (pic opened Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.)

Complete Article

06-24-2009, 09:29 AM	#2
Loves2Watch SPAM Police Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: AZ, NM, TX, MX Posts: 13,972	Probably even though it has gotten many bad reviews. __________________ Theater 1 - Panasonic TH-85PF12U Plasma TV, 6 Conrad Johnson LP275M Amps, Anthem Statement D-2 Pre/Pro, 6 Thiel SCS4 Speakers, 2 REL T-1 Subs, Infinity Interlude 120S Sub, Simaudio MOON Orbiter Universal Disc Player, ELP Laser Turntable, 2 Dish Network ViP 622 DVR's, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Player, Onkyo DV-HD805 HD DVD Player.

06-28-2009, 12:30 AM	#12
PFC5 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 28,385	I just saw it tonight in the Directors Hall at a theater with bigger leather seats & all digital theater (for 50% more) with my family, and another family and it was decent enough IMO, but I liked the first one better. Fox chasing after the guy just doesn't seem like reality to me, but that made it more interesting for the wife and daughters. It had more action I would say also, but the action was more unique in the first one IMO, because we had not seen anything like it before with the special effects in the first one too. Well that is my one movie in the theater for this year, and the rest will be in my own HT room, which I enjoy more. __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier

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06-24-2009, 09:35 AM	#3
pjc High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,108	I think so. My buddy saw it Monday night (his GF works for M&M Mars). He liked it. It's like 2hrs 45mins. He said it felt about 30 mins too long, but was still great.

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06-25-2009, 11:25 AM	#7
Lee Stewart Behold - the future! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Age: 58 Posts: 25,193	It was higher - according to THR: 'Transformers' scores $60.6 mil on day 1 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...0927895c8e8ede

06-25-2009, 08:14 PM	#9
Duran_Duran_x My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 8	i really like transformers i'm seeing the second one tomorrow revenge of the fallen even though my mate spoiled it for me

06-26-2009, 05:47 PM	#10
97XBAM High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 97	Saw it online and the putrid 22% Rotten Tomatoes rating from the nation's critics is warranted . I usually only watch about 20 minutes or so online if I'm not sure about whether or not to see a movie . This one never got any better and I watched the whole sad mess . If you like special effects over plot , storyline , and dialogue chances are you'll like it . But this sequel had none of the humor or cleverness of the first . It has many of the same characters , sophmoric humor , terrible dialogue and plot . See it if you must , but a huge dropoff in the second week wouldn't surprise me at all !

06-26-2009, 09:36 PM	#11
tipstir Banned User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 4,665	I am not going to see this crap and I didn't go and see the prior crap one either. I did see it on cable and it was crap. Not the same as the cartoon of the 80's and then in 90's - 00 more computer CGI stuff. But what is shown on the big screen looks phony. But you guys might like this crap..