LORD OF THE RINGS won’t play in nations largest theater chain Regal Cinemas!?

[The Clown Prince]

This comes from assignmentx.com formely Cinescape.com.

In the kind of BS business decision that Hollywood is infamous for, New Line Cinemas, the power behind LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and RUSH HOUR 2, has changed its exhibitor contracts to such a noxious extent that those films will not be playing at several theater chains. Chief among the chains boycotting the release of RINGS is Regal Cinemas, the nation’s largest theater chain.


The problem comes from New Line’s recent change to what are called “firm term” exhibition contracts with theaters. Under the old system, still used by studios like Paramount, Disney and MGM, studios and theater owners decided on the split of cash from movie releases once the movies were out and both studios and theaters knew how well they would perform.


Firm term contracts require the cash ratio be set before the film is released. Along with New Line, DreamWorks, Warner Bros. and Sony have gone to firm term releasing. It was this firm term releasing that had many theaters taking a bath when movies like GODZILLA tanked at the box office in comparison to what was expected.


As this is an ongoing fight, it is possible, according to the Hollywood Reporter, the problems will be worked out before the films are released. If not, you better check to see if the only theater in your town is Regal, and if it is… find somewhere else to see RINGS.



Wow, I really can't believe this crap. The only theater chains that we have here in the Portland metro area are basically Regal Cinemas. Now I'm gonna have to drive around some ubsurd amount of miles to find a less than par theater. We have other theaters but they don't really have the nice theaters that I'm accustomed to at Regal. The one I go to is brand new with the new surround sound, stadium seating etc. I think this is really gonna hurt the box office receipts. It'll still make a lot of money I'm sure, but not as much if it were playing in Regal Cinemas.


http://www.cinescape.com/0/editorial.asp?aff_id=0&this_cat=Movies&action=page&type_id=&cat_id=270338&obj_id=27460


The Clown Prince

[The Clown Prince]

This really upsets me too cause Rush Hour 2 won't be playing either!!! ARGH!!!!

The Clown Prince

[Jedi Knight]

This is why I'm glad I don't live in the US. We don't have any American theatre chains up here, and there's basically only 2 chains that do exist (in my area), and one of them is pretty much totally dominating (Famous Players).

Anyway, they said it's still not definite, 'cause there's a lot of time before the movie comes out, so there's still a chance that Regal and New Line will be able to work out their differences.

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Jedi Knight
This is why I'm glad I don't live in the US. We don't have any American theatre chains up here, and there's basically only 2 chains that do exist (in my area), and one of them is pretty much totally dominating (Famous Players).

Why does this make you glad you live in Canada? If there's only two chains, and one is so strong, doesn't that make you even more of a hostage to this type of situation?

[Jedi Knight]

Having only one major chain means they pick up EVERYTHING. I have never missed a movie because it wasn't in one of the theatres around here. In fact, a lot of movies that have screenings in limited cities often choose Vancouver (my city) as one of the ones to start in. Other cities are usually NY, LA, and Toronto.

As for New Line and their deal with Regal, it's HIGHLY unlikely that the same will happen up here because Canada is such a small market compared to the US. Our population is about 1/10th the US, but we generate less than 1/20th of most North American movie ticket sales. If New Line wanted to make a deal with a chain in Canada, they'd only be wasting their own time, we're not worth the effort. Also, the chains up here bent over backwards to accomodate The Phantom Menace, so why wouldn't they do the same for LOTR?

[mxyzptlk]

i live in alabama and we dont have regal cinamas we have carmikes so that does not affect me