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Having seen what other people think of PROME and its box office prospects on opening weekend, I had another look at the all-time R-rated

Posted by: accountant_4_Jesus (a.k.a ) on Jun 03, 16:21

opening weekends. Of those in the top 10 (the grosses ranging from almost $92M to just over $50M), only one of them could actually be classified as a sci-fi movie. Yes, it currently holds the top spot with almost $92M, but it was a sequel to a revolutionary and game-changing sci-fi movie that was HUGELY anticipated, and came out within 4 years after the release of the original. If you'll remember, PROME is set in the Alien universe and the last Alien movie tanked at the box office because it wasn't well-received (I've never seen any of the Alien movies, I'm just going by what people on here have said about it). Interestingly enough, looking back at the details of that movie, I can understand now why it tanked. It was written by Joss Whedon. Enough said. Anyway, the point that I'm trying to make here is that generally in the sci-fi genre (just speaking from previous box office track record), if it is R-rated, unless it is hot on the heels of a huge breakout hit that redefines the genre, there won't be enough up-front interest to get the opening weekend into that top 10 R-rated opening weekends. Sci-fi can be a tough sell, especially when it is rated R. Generally what happens is if it is rated R, a lot of people think it's too "risky" or too "out there" to want to go see it, which makes a dent in its box office potential. The fact that PROME also has the sci-fi/horror tag (even though it may not be justified, after reading some of the reviews on here) just adds to the "stigma" that most normal moviegoers would see attached to the movie, thereby avoiding it. The point of my comment here is basically to say that R-rated sci-fi is always a tough sell, but when it's branded as sci-fi/horror it's a really tough sell, and in my personal opinion, I don't think that it will clear $55M opening weekend.

Having seen what other people think of PROME and its box office prospects on opening weekend, I had another look at the all-time R-rated accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 16:21

I agree with your analysis. Now as to legs, I'm wondering, would they depend on it keeping its 3D screens for long? {nm} slappydavid Jun 03, 16:30

I honestly can't see it having much legs, to be honest. accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 16:41

In regards to your unnecessary Whedon slam..... {nm} austpow Jun 03, 17:20

If they had made the ending he wanted, which was the aliens landing on Earth for the final battle, it would have been good. {nm} austpow Jun 03, 17:20

It's not unnecessary. accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 17:41

He also was uncredited cowriiter of Speed. {nm} austpow Jun 03, 18:19

I think I established my point fairly well though that generally, if Joss Whedon is involved, it will bomb or disappoint. {nm} accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 18:32

As with Avengers? {nm} Facto Jun 03, 18:56

I said generally. That means that there are exceptions to the rule, and I gave reasons for that in my previous comment. {nm} accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 18:59

I saw that only after. My desktop died tonight, and laptop died three weeks ago. Really odd. Using really slow android/phone now. Blows. {nm} Facto Jun 03, 19:17

Well, he has been busy creating/writing/producing/directing a bunch of tv shows since the late 90's, so that kinda curtailed his output. Paul2k Jun 03, 18:32

The reason why I'm not a fan of his is because almost none of the projects he's involved with I actually like. {nm} accountant_4_Jesus Jun 03, 18:33