***Update 1 – 2016-08-03 – 01:20 CEST***
I honestly didn´t think that we would end up having our homepage being pulled down to the publication of this post on the 29th of July (it was most likely caused by overload attacks. One thing is for sure though. Someeone got really mad at this article). Neither did I think that there would be such a lot of fuss about the fact that Paul Feig´s “Ghostbusters 2016” is indeed a big box office flop. Well, I was wrong. As people started to flock to our comment section to defend Feig and his movie.
Don´t get me wrong now, people are free to think and say what they want on our homepage. I´m just surprised to see how blind some people can be (read through the comments on this post, and you will understand what I mean), because no matter how many box office numbers, reviews and fact´s people presented to the supporters of the “Ghostbusters 2016” movie. The defenders of the movie simply couldn´t admit that the movie was a box office failure (and it still is), even though the numbers don’t lie (I guess that math wasn´t their best subject in school?).
And a perfect example of such a defender would be Jeff Rouner and his Houston Press article “Ghostbusters Remake Now Officially Not a Flop“. I mean, the guy is beyond delusional. And speaking of which, one of our readers (Mr. Johny Johnson) made a really good comment on the matter of “Ghostbusters 2016” and it´s box office numbers:
“Actually, it needs to make closer to $400 million to break even. It will lose Sony somewhere between $150 million and $200 million. It’s one of the biggest flops since The Lone Ranger.
As of the 2 week mark, this film has made $130 million worldwide ($94 mil dom / $36 mil int’l). The “break even” number (according to many media sources) is between $375 million – $400 million. Now, how is this estimate derived? Well, I will try my best to explain.
Production on the film was $144 million. Marketing/advertising/distribution was roughly $150 million (which brings it to around $300 million). A film doesn’t get all the box office receipts – it is usually between 1/2 and 2/3 of a box office domestically. So, if a film makes say $200 million at the box office, the company actually takes in somewhere between $100 million and $135 million depending on the length of its run, etc. So, taking all that into account, to break even, this movie needs to make back the $290 million they have put into it (production+marketing+ads+distribution). Under the high end 2/3 box office ratio, that means it would need to $435 million worldwide box office to break even. Under the 1/2 box office ration, it would need to make $580 million to recoup its costs. The middle figure for the 1/2 to 2/3 is just north of $500 million Now, they will obviously get some money from merchandising and DVD sales. A legitimate estimate for that would be around $100 million. Which would put the necessary box office take to break even at $400 million:
Production+marketing+advertising+distribution = $290 million
To break even box office under the 1/2 – 2/3 rule = roughly $500 million
Minus the profits from merchandising/DVD sales = around $100 million
Worldwide box office to break even = around $400 million
So, right now it is at $130 million worldwide and poised to be in 8th place in this weekend’s box office (according to BoxOfficeMojo). This thing may top out around $200 million worldwide – which would put it about $200 million short of what it needs just to break even. So, another monster loss for Sony and one of the biggest busts in recent memory.”
Well, I think you get my point. I would also like to add that it´s not likely that the movie will do any good in South Korea, Japan, China nor Mexico. As the movie is banned in China, and Mexico and South Korea don’t even seem to be on Imdb´s list over releases for “Ghostbusters 2016”. Furthermore, please allow me to give you some context on the matter of South Korea and Western movies. “Dirty Grandpa” ranked in at #90, pulling in about 500K USD, “Bridesmaids” pulled in similar numbers. And “The Heat” wasn’t even shown in South Korea at all… As for Japan. Well, the Japanese doesn´t like “man hating”, feminist movies all that much (and rightfully so).
And speaking of flops and box office failures. I don´t know if you have already heard the news, but Fireforge Games had to file for a chapter 7 bankruptcy with debts of up to $12 million. As the official Ghostbusters video game went bankrupt after just three days after its release (the game was released on the 12th of July for Windows, PS4 and Xbox One). And truth be told, that´s just yet another failure that can be added to the giant stack of blunders called “Ghostbusters 2016”.
And you know what? All of this makes me really sad, because none of this would have happened if Sony had picked the right director for the “Ghostbusters” reboot. It´s also pure madness to develop a multi-format movie licensed game in just eight months (it´s a rather well-known fact that movie licensed games tend to turn out rather badly, especially games with short development deadlines). So in my opinion, Sony wasted a really good chance to reboot the “Ghostbusters” IP (the kids don’t even like the toys. And around the world, the toys are being removed from the store’s shelves as we speak…).
So let´s face it people, “Ghostbusters 2016” is not the movie that the fans wanted or asked for. And it has just brought a lot of negativity into the “Ghostbusters” IP as well (the drama, the bad reviews, the bad box office numbers and now the bankruptcy of a game studio). I don´t know about you, but my best advice would be to forget about the movie and the video game all together. And just watch the old movies and play the “Ghostbusters: The Video Game” (the 2009 edition) instead.
Source:
‘Ghostbusters’ Video Game Developers File for Bankruptcy 3 Days After Game’s Release
Hollywoodintoto
Sony Pictures Lays Off 20 in Marketing, Distribution Team
Sony zaps jobs following poor results in US
Credit:
Christian Toto
Hom-Ru-Beoulve
brandnewhistory
—————————————————
Ghostbusters has drummed up some serious hysteria since its release. Leslie Jones managed to get Briebart editor Milo Yianopoulos banned from Twitter, and sick packs of rabid fans upon critics of the movie.
We also saw the terrible reviews that rolled in citing the movie was trying too hard. For what it’s worth, the movie is a great idea to promote female characters as strong leads, and it had quite a few laughs. Nevertheless, this movie was not the best choice for that approach. A much better choice is the upcoming Wonder Woman starring Gal Godot, and that 2017 summer picture will deliver in spades for DC.
The all-female spectre busting quartet managed to secure $46 million in its opening weekend, but it doesn’t appear to be quite enough for a profit. Sony put up a serious budget to get the movie made. With over $144 million invested in Director Paul Feig, and analysts realizing movies such as Star Trek, and Jason Bourne’s earning potential its a dark day for Ghostbusters.
To date, “Ghostbusters” has grossed about $130 million worldwide. However, that’s not even half of what they’ll need to break even and see a profit from the film. If they can make $300 million in sales, that would be a true revival of the franchise and secure a great presence for a sequel but can it happen? With the rumor mill circling that Sony and Paul Feig have decided on three films, it would be on Sony’s best interest to change directors, writers, or even come up with new original ideas for the cast.
The most painful thing about a reboot is that it has to surpass the expectations of the previous movies, and “Ghostbusters” will never do that. The simplest answer is: because the talent was wasted, the script wasn’t original, and the director was trying to prove a point with his established comedy style using comedianne’s instead of male actors.
The identicle formula won’t work the same way every time, but that’s something Paul Feig refuses to understand. Success isn’t always measured by the outcome, its measured through effort, balance, and training.
In short, the movie was created and shot as a tribute film with a vendetta that didn’t land a mark on the classical 80’s comedy. It might as well have had a neon sign that said “Don’t ask any questions. Just give us your money.“ And if there ever was one thing that made the advocates angry about the movie it was the comment ” Aint no bitches gonna bust no ghosts,” and that appears to be the case here also.
Source:
The Wrap
boxofficemojo
The-numbers
Credit:
Robin Ek – Editor
Mr Silvio – Tipster
Sandwichhead – Tipster
Kenay Peterson
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheDark_Mage
More by Kenay Peterson:
Tags: Ghostbusters, Ghostbusters 2016, Milo Yianopoulos, Movies, Paul Feig