The cost of Pirate Booty goes up

[Robin]

The cost of Pirate Booty goes up

Orlando Sentinel
Posted on Aug 10, 2006

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/images/deppst_3.jpg (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/deppst_3.jpg) Jim Hill (http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2006/08/08/4797.aspx) (no, that's NOT him) is reporting staggering (especially for Disney) costs for the two Pirates blockbuster sequels.

Three levels of speculation, linked to different stories in the Wall St. Journal and elsewhere. $175 million each, to $250 million each.
Youch. Will Wall Street like that kind of outlay vs. return? The first sequel has cleared $340 million, but the third Pirates movie might not do as well.
Still, Pirates has Disney running a close second to Sony in the annual box office sweepstakes. They've both passed the $1 billion mark for the year, sez the Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002984740).

And then there's that John Lasseter stock (http://www.hollywoodwiretap.com/?module=news&action=story&id=4945) "scandal," making the evening newscasts, but not ABC (strangely). Got to love that means of ripping off the shareholder. On so many levels.

And speaking of budget-busters, let us not forget that Disney is about to put another Narnia (http://reporter.blogs.com/risky/2006/08/narnias_prince_.html) before the cameras. The producer is saying Europe for this shoot, not New Zealand, which means it probably won't be cheap.


http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2006/08/the_cost_of_pir.html

[wilshade]

If Disney has learned anything over the years is that the monetary success of their movies can continue long after the movie originally plays in theaters.

Look at the early movies that Walt made. Each one was a crapshoot. Some were instant hits and made money right out of the gate. But, several didn't show a profit until the second or third time they were released to the theaters.

With the advent of video tapes and dvds, all of the classic Disney movies have turned into perenial money makers upon which the company depends. No other studio even comes close to what Disney makes on their catalog of movies.

So, when Disney decides to outlay 150 million or more in production costs, I am certain that they are looking at the potential for earnings well beyond the movie's premier.

Also, keep in mind that the third movie of a triology, usually fares much better than the middle one.

[Robin]

I definitely agree, that the PoTC series is worth the investment. They will take their place with the best of the Disney classics.

[Kelly Grannell]

The home video market have changed quite dramatically. With the advent of better audio/video reproduction quality, the drop in large-screen displays and the continuing drop of cinema experience in the theatres (too-loud sound system, people talking on their cellphones, chatting, price of concessions that requires a second mortgage) more and more people are buying into home theatre (soon to be replaced with its high-def DVD equivalent) and less and less people frequent the theatres.

What I'm trying to say is that theatre ticket sales almost mean nothing now because more and more movies are making its money from DVD sales than the ticket sales.