The Goldfinch Bomb Could Lose Up To $ 50 Million For Warner Bros., Amazon Studios



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The adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning novel, debuted at $ 2.6 million in the United States, one of the worst screenings of all time for a projection in 2,542 theaters.

What one hand gives, the other removes.

Founded by scathing critics, Warner Bros. The goldfinch bombarded at the US box office this weekend with just $ 2.68 million debut, one of the worst debuts ever for a movie screened in 2,542 theaters. But the frame was not totally lacking for the studio – He: Chapter Two remained at the top of the standings with a solid second-round release of $ 40.7 million, pushing the cumulative box office of the adaptation into two images of Stephen King's horror novel beyond the billion dollar ticket sales in the world.

The benefits of He: Chapter Two – earn nearly $ 324 million worldwide in its first 10 days – will undoubtedly help offset the $ 25 to $ 30 million Warners could lose due to The goldfinch. Amazon Studios will also be successful after co-financing 40% of the $ 44 million pre-market adult drama. (Warners supports all marketing and distribution costs, so its losses may ultimately be larger.)

Amazon has earned between $ 16 million and $ 18 million in exchange for exclusive worldwide SVOD rights, allowing it to provide premium customers with exclusive content. The company could lose almost all of its investment, putting GoldfinchTotal losses of Warner and Amazon combined in a range of 40 to 50 million dollars, according to several analysts of the box office consulted by The Hollywood journalist.

Warners and Amazon both declined to comment.

The final losses will depend on whether The photo, which stars Ansel Elgort and Nicole Kidman, is gaining ground overseas. The first figures, however, are not encouraging. The goldfinch generated only $ 852,000 when it was launched this weekend in Russia ($ 551,000) and in 11 smaller markets.

Color Force, by Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, produced the film, inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Donna Tartt's novel, about a 13-year-old boy surviving a terrorist attack at an art museum claiming life from his mother. The 771-page novel, published in 2013, has always been a challenge to adapt to the big screen, since the story goes through the two decades of the main character. Nevertheless, it was an attractive prestige proposition when buying studios late 2016 and up until 2017 (former Warner Bros. President Kevin Tsijuhara, was a big fan).

Warners knew The goldfinchled by John Crowley, was in trouble for at least six months and then decided to significantly reduce his marketing expenses. "That's the kind of story that's probably best for a streaming show," says a studio executive. Two other sources said that Warners had approached Amazon Studios about a larger role, but Amazon declined.

On the Warners lot, opinions differ as to whether the marketing and advertising team made the right decision to present the photo at the Toronto International Film Festival, where critics gather each year for research. of fall prize contenders. The score of the movie "Rotten tomatoes" quickly dropped to 24%. Even if the film has always been reviewed, no matter where it was first screened, a film festival in the fall may raise expectations.

"Critics are always important, especially for adult drama, and without them you can not go to theaters, and no matter how successful this novel is, it would certainly have been better to stream content limited series, one ton, "says Jeff Bock, Analyst, Exhibitor Relations," This is a difficult lesson for Warner Bros. At this point in the game. Oh, well, I'm sure someone will restart it in five years and will do it justice. "

The goldfinchThe sad opening marks another blow for the Warner after the coup of the month of August The kitchen, a drama of the female crowd that opened at $ 5.5 million in a career start worse for stars Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish. The $ 38 million film, which has raised $ 15 million worldwide to date, could also cost tens of millions of dollars for the studio, although it can play a significant role in home entertainment. Meanwhile, the Bruce Springsteen inspired Blinded by the light, an independent film acquired by New Line for $ 15 million, was another missed August with 4 million films sold on 2,307 theaters.

Sources inside Warner Bros. say that movie director Toby Emmerich may not support so many adult drama series. At the same time, they point out that the studio has high hopes for the critically acclaimed fall award nominee Just pity, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Michael B. Jordan, as well as Motherless Brooklyn, directed by and featuring Edward Norton. The studio also plans a strong participation in the photo of the event, Oct. 4, by Todd Phillips Joker, with Joaquin Phoenix.

In terms of Wall Street, He: Chapter TwoGross receipts will help offset third-quarter deficits resulting from The goldfinch and The kitchen. Horror monitoring is expected to reach $ 450-500 million worldwide.

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