Commentary Track
Prince Caspian Would Have Made More Money at Christmas Time
Posted by Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 29, 2008
Uh oh! The Hollywood Reporter is Hollywood reporting that Mouse CEO Robert Iger is lamenting the decision to throw Prince Caspian onto the big screen in the middle of a crowded blockbusting summer. Apparently sales for the film aren’t up to snuff because of its May 16th release date.
Considering how well the first installment of The Chronicles of Narnia faired during the 2006 ChristmaHannuKwanzaka season, he might be right.
But isn’t Iger admitting that Caspian can’t contend with the big boys this summer? I hate to parse words, especially considering that the movie is much better than its prequel, but it sounds like Iger is punting on this one because his movie didn’t make as much as he wanted.
I spent yesterday evening in a theater crowded with what seemed like close to one million ten-year olds watching Caspian, and it seemed like a big hit. It doesn’t seem too far off to think that sales took a hit after sandwiching the film between Iron Man and Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but the question Iger should be asking is why his film didn’t perform on par with the big kids, not wishing that it would be snowing in May.
Sound Off: Do you think a different release date would have made Prince Caspian more successful?
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3 Comments
May 29th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I absolutely agree with this statement. Prince Caspian was better than the first. It seemed more epic, and the cinematography was great IMO. Seeing how well the other did at Christmastime should have been a good indication as to when this should have been released. There was just too much competition, too much other material for kids.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Poor disney,
Maybe 75% of the people don’t give a sh_t about talking lions, and children warriors?
May 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
It would have made more money. It was supposed to come out in December around the same time as The Golden Compass. I wonder if they had trouble finishing the film on time. There’s no reason to worry about Compass stealing sales.
Big kids didn’t like it because they like the Lord of the Rings better and more action wasn’t going to change their point of view. Narnia is not “adult” fare which is what they want.
Prince Caspian was worse than Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I like having more action. It was thrilling but not awe-inspiring. The story and characters were poorly written. Plus it lacked a memorable villain. But to give Sergio Castellitto who played King Miraz credit, it’s hard to top Tilda Swinton as Satan, er The White Witch.
I ‘t think some people care about talking animals and children warriors. It made over 700 million worldwide in the theaters. I like it because I like my fantasy simpler. Plus it’s got an old-fashioned fire and brimstone childrens book feel.