LOTR Takes In $14.3 Mill

[James Harvey]

The Friday gross for LOTR was a very respectable 14.3 million, pushing he total up to almost $45 million in three days. I movie is expected to finish Sunday with around $80 million. Meanwhile, Jim Carrey's The Majestic looks to finish only with $8 million, and Tim Allen's Joe Somebody looks to close with an even lower $6 million.

[Jowy Blight]

Heh, I saw LOTR. I thought it was wonderful, even my brother (who hates books) loved it. After the movie, everyone there started standing and clapping.

I can't wait for part 2! :)

[Calhoun07]

People applauded in the theater I was at too. I always wonder why they do that? Who's gonna hear it and take it as a compliment?

[Failure]

They clapped at my theater too. I thought I should clap, but felt awkward since well, what's the point? so I wound up not clapping. I guess it's just to show some appreciation, but I think it works better for live events. It's still cool to see people react like that to a movie though.

[Naraht]

Originally posted by Failure
They clapped at my theater too. I thought I should clap, but felt awkward since well, what's the point? so I wound up not clapping. I guess it's just to show some appreciation, but I think it works better for live events. It's still cool to see people react like that to a movie though.

fortunatly no one clapped when I saw it...although it was 2:30 am when it was done...

Movie Rocked....I was pleasently surprised. =D

[Calhoun07]

It's really something when people applaud after a Star Wars trailer. That confuses me even more than the applauding after a movie.

[pencilsharp]

Haven't seen LotR yet, and probably won't until it hits the Video Store... discount bins. Usually, hype turns me off quick, and being bleh about Tolkien's books cemented that decision. Still, EW picks them to finish with anywhere from $60-80 million over their 5-day opening. Not too shabby.

What has surpised me about all of this is Ralph Bakshi's reaction to it all, which you should read about here. (http://us.imdb.com/PeopleNews/2001/20011219.html) Now, when I hear "Hobbit", I think of Bakshi's work. And if this movie is the blockbuster it's being made out to be, I wonder if Ralph really would be unwilling to pursue a legal challenge.

And could Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" really be a target? Ralph would have to be really bitter (not to mention completely insane) to try it. :(

[Calhoun07]

Bakshi owns the rights to this stuff??? I don't think so! My favorite quote of his:


For a start, the guys doing the picture really don't have the authority to - my contract reads that I have all sequel rights - but I think I'll let it go.

Gee, do ya think????

And if he thinks just because he made some cartoons in the past that nobody else can touch those properties...man, this guy is messed up. I would understand if somebody made an animated sequel to his work, but they didn't. This is a new launch of the franchise....thankfully without him!

If he needs something to do, why doesn't Bakshi work on getting us his Mighty Mouse cartoons out on DVD?

[pencilsharp]

And if he thinks just because he made some cartoons in the past that nobody else can touch those properties...
Geez... I dunno, Cal. He may very well have a case IF he can demonstrate very distinct similarities (aside from storyline, anyway) between his movie and the new one and IF he can find a court that won't chuck it out without a second glance and IF he can find a lawyer sleazy enough to try it (and aren't they all?)

Hm? What's this? A SUBPOENA?! But I put it in parentheses! That doesn't count!

But it should...! :p

[Calhoun07]

Personally, I think it's a publicity stunt to bring more attention to his animated version.

[Failure]

Either a publicity stunt or sour grapes. Bakshi just sounds bitter and jealous.

[Karkull]

The heck with 'em. It's sour grapes.

[Maxie Zeus]

LotR went through development hell for years, bouncing between lots of studios in the meantime. I find it impossible to believe that the rights did not get nailed down.

Anyway, here's a task for you sharp-eyed people who are going to see it (again) and sit through the credits. I believe I saw "The Saul Zaentz Co." listed somewhere in the fine printed connected with the authorship or copyright of the picture. If so, that is fairly significant, since it was The Saul Zaentz Co. that originally financed and produced the Bakshi animated version. They would be the ones with a claim to the books, not Bakshi, I'm pretty sure. So if they are in on this version, that takes care of the complaint.

[Calhoun07]

I really don't think Bakshi's complaint will go anywhere. I still say he's trying to get attention thru controversy to sell more copies of his movie.

[The Mad Hatter]

That's nothing less than I'd expect from the man... Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons is a direct caracature of him, after all.

[Maxie Zeus]

Jerry Beck links to another spot where Bakshi talks about LotR. At canoe.com (http://www.canoe.ca/JamLordOfTheRings/jun21_bakshi-can.html) he sounds a bit less truculent.

[Calhoun07]

I dunno...I still feel like he feels this live action movie wouldn't have been made unless he had done that animated movie. I don't believe that, I think it would have been made no matter what.