With all the buzz about who would star as the next James Bond, it now appears that Daniel Craig will continue in the role for the next two Bond films.
Craig has starred in four Bond movies and there was wide speculation (spurred on by Craig himself) that he was tired of the role and wanted to move on. However, it now appears that Sony and Craig have come to terms and apparently have worked-up a two-film deal for a reported $150 million. The two films will be shot back-to-back.
The Bond franchise is one of the top in terms of box office revenue and longevity. Producer Barbara Broccoli (who has the rights to the Bond franchise, which she inherited from her father Albert) will have the final say regarding the Craig deal. It's rumored that she likes the idea of the two-film scenario with Craig continuing in the role.
No matter what, the Bond saga will continue and we look forward to viewing two new back-to-back features.
Betting More On Fewer Films
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| 2016's Biggest Blockbuster Flop |
The major studios have painted themselves into a corner as they are producing fewer but more expensive blockbusters. Now days, a blockbuster flop is a really big error and a very costly one.
This summer the problem was witnessed straight-up, as the big, box office bruisers failed to perform. From Captain America, to Ben Hur, every 'biggie' for 2016 didn't muster-up to would-be expectations.
Many of this summers bruisers started off very well, opening to big first week-end grosses but had huge fall-offs (these were the lucky ones) others just fell flat from the get-go, such as, Independence Day, Alice in Wonderland, and Tarzan. Ben Hur was the biggest disappoint. The $200 million remake epic opened with a pittance of $11 million and is on target to lose $100 million.
It appears that a major marketing and promotion campaign can get good opening numbers but word travels fast and sustaining good box office in the face of bad social media just can't happen any longer.
Hollywood has no-one to blame but themselves. Storylines have gotten to the point of absurdity and it's the same old faces in the same old roles. Focusing more money on fewer titles seems to be the trend so more is riding on the success of each release - and 2016's roster of movies just didn't catch on.
Today's cinema, like music, books, TV, and radio is very fragmented. So, to attract wide moviegoer attention an over-the-top film is required, and these mega-movies require mega-bucks but with no assurance of success.
DVD sales, which were once a buffer against a poor box office have fallen off a cliff, replaced by VOD. It's the 18-35 year-old male that is missing. They have become much more selective in their viewing. Movies must now be visually superior, have sound great and believable storylines. The average moviegoer has become very discriminating and can smell a bad movie right-off.
DVD sales, which were once a buffer against a poor box office have fallen off a cliff, replaced by VOD. It's the 18-35 year-old male that is missing. They have become much more selective in their viewing. Movies must now be visually superior, have sound great and believable storylines. The average moviegoer has become very discriminating and can smell a bad movie right-off.
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