Films that perform well overseas and say farewell to the North American market generally attract worldwide attention. Because of its strong response in North America, Batman:Begins had already garnered significant attention from overseas fans early on. Major overseas markets and cinema chains also poured a large amount of resources into distributing this film.
In contrast, due to the poor box office performance and audience reception in North America, Flyboys had already been blacklisted by overseas audiences and cinema chains. Many companies continued pushing for the film's release in their own countries mostly because of contractual obligations with Disney Studios.
"Confirmed countries importing Batman: Begins number 95, while Flyboys only has 42…"
Looking at the data on the report, David Ellison shifted to a more comfortable sitting position, his eyes filled with slight confusion as they landed on Cook Dick from Disney Studios. "Why such a big difference? I remember more than 60 countries wanted to import Flyboys just a week ago."
"Can't be helped." Cook Dick's face showed a trace of helplessness. "Over ten overseas distributors who were negotiating saw the first-week box office and directly dropped out. Some who had already signed distribution contracts would rather pay the penalty for breach of contract than release Flyboys."
Some words Cook Dick didn't say directly, leaving David Ellison some face. Those breaching distributors believed paying a relatively small penalty was definitely more cost-effective than investing resources to distribute Flyboys.
David Ellison's expression darkened considerably. The fewer overseas markets the film entered, the lower the box office revenue would be. Although he didn't care much about that money, it represented face. If Flyboys ultimately couldn't even recoup its production costs worldwide, how would he face Duke Rosenberg in the future?
Also, would his father reclaim some control over the fund management? These were all things he had to consider.
Only now did David Ellison realize that the film industry was far more complex than he had imagined. Originally, he thought with huge financial backing, his own deep research into Hollywood, and the strong partnership of Michael Ovitz and Walt Disney, success was guaranteed.
The facts proved that he had seriously underestimated the situation. Besides causing some trouble for Duke Rosenberg regarding the Anne Hathaway incident, he was completely overwhelmed and lacked any ability to counterattack.
Though unwilling deep down, David Ellison understood that the downward trend of Flyboys as irreparable. To succeed, he would have to start over.
But for someone with his stubborn personality, accepting failure was definitely very difficult.
Before leaving Disney Studios, David Ellison asked, "Cook, I remember Batman: Begins signed formal contracts with over eighty overseas distributors before May. Why do we have so few?"
He wasn't questioning Walt Disney's ability but rather hoping Flyboys would have broader distribution channels. The final box office figures might then look somewhat better.
Cook Dick sighed and answered frankly, "Because the director of Batman:Begins is Duke Rosenberg."
Upon hearing this, David Ellison suddenly understood something. As he got into his car, a helpless smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Exactly. Because the director was Duke Rosenberg. Because the other party was a super director whose global box office total approached 9 billion dollars. Because he had built an illustrious reputation. Because Duke Rosenberg's name had long become a golden brand in Hollywood and the global commercial film industry.
Looking from another angle, if he weren't Duke Rosenberg, would he have sought him out at the start to invest in his film?
The other party was indeed very powerful, but as long as he learned from experience, he could eventually defeat him!
Just like Larry Ellison, David Ellison would never collapse from one setback, nor would he abandon Hollywood.
It was just that the dismal box office numbers for Flyboys really left David Ellison speechless.
Ignoring the overseas markets that would only open over the weekend, starting Monday, Flyboys faced its first weekday test. Unsurprisingly, the daily box office plummeted below seven figures, to a mere $620,000—a figure only a fraction of what Batman: Time to Fight earned that same day. The latter, though also declining, maintained a relatively stable trend with a single-day take of $5.21 million.
Over the next three weekdays, Flyboys slid further like on a slide: Tuesday $530,000, Wednesday $450,000, Thursday $410,000…
During the same period, Flyboys daily box office remained just a fraction of Monday's take, a mere fraction of Batman: Begin's numbers.
Duke's blockbuster maintained a steady pace with a healthy rate of decline. Over four weekdays, it grossed $17.21 million, pushing the North American total past $150 million, reaching $160.52 million!
Then, as a new weekend began, Duke left North America. The main cast split into two groups to head to London and Berlin respectively to promote Batman:Begins in Europe.
Compared to East Asia, which was deeply influenced by Japanese manga, Europe had greater exposure to DC and Marvel comics. Batman, Superman, and Spider-Man were all household names. Since Batman: Begins had done well in North America and the audience reception, though not as high as Duke's previous Lord of the Rings trilogy, was still very positive, these factors drove strong turnout in overseas theaters.
Duke stayed a day in Berlin for two promotional events, then rushed to Munich, specially attending the first Bundesliga match of Bayern Munich in the newly completed Allianz Arena. The camera frequently caught his image during the game, and at halftime, the stadium's big screen even aired a trailer for Batman:Begins.
Of course, this was definitely a paid advertisement. Even Duke appearing at the stadium to watch the game accompanied by Rummenigge was part of a plan from Warner's German branch.
Duke didn't know much about football; the matches he occasionally watched were mostly from the Premier League. This current Bayern Munich team was relatively unfamiliar to him; the only player he could recognize was Ballack, thanks to the latter's later stint in the Premier League.
"Duke, are you interested in cooperating with Bayern Munich Club to make a football movie?"
Because Duke did not understand German, Rummenigge spoke to him in English, "We have been planning to shoot a very influential football film."
"Sorry, Karl." Duke politely declined, "I don't know much about football; I'm not suitable to direct this kind of movie."
That was only one reason. Football is undoubtedly the world's number one sport, completely overshadowing American football and basketball on a global scale, but football movies remain decidedly niche.
Besides, he really wasn't familiar with English-style football.
Even if he wanted to shoot a sports-themed movie in the future, the American football he had experience with was undoubtedly more suitable.
During the three-day weekend, Duke stayed two days in Germany and on the last day went to Vienna to attend the premiere of Batman: Begins in Austria.
After the short weekend, this overseas promotion temporarily came to an end. Duke left Europe and returned to Los Angeles. As a culturally closer overseas market, the results Batman:Begins achieved in Europe were more than satisfactory.
The UK made $12.65 million in the opening weekend, Germany $14.32 million, France $10.35 million, Spain $9.21 million, Italy $8.55 million...
Although Batman:Begins was somewhat coldly received in East Asian markets led by Japan and South Korea, it also scored a solid $11.78 million opening weekend in Australia.
Batman:Begins was released in 77 countries and regions overseas, earning a total of $122.17 million this weekend!
Meanwhile, the competing film Flyboys only made a fraction of Batman:Begins overseas box office, and that fraction wasn't counted in tens of millions but just $2.17 million!
The Flyboys premiered first in 41 countries and regions, and its box office numbers were barely passable.
Duke was done paying attention to this competitor. Seeing it could only be described as a complete failure, he just set it aside and didn't even bother to check its second-week box office in North America, as there was simply no need.
Even if God himself came down, it could not save this film.
In North America, Batman:Begins went through its third weekend. Because there were no major new releases this week, Batman:Begins easily held onto the top spot with $20.12 million, effortlessly achieving a three-peat.
At this point, Batman:Begins North American box office had accumulated $180.64 million, with global box office combined reaching $302.81 million!
At this moment, no one would dispute that Batman has been reborn on the big screen.
However, the reign of this film was about to come to an end. Memorial Day was approaching, and a film that had become a cultural symbol in North America and worldwide was about to premiere.
George Lucas was bringing his Star Wars Prequel 3: Revenge of the Sith with a strong force.
Moreover, in the film's promotion, George Lucas openly stated this would be the last installment of his Star Wars series. For Star Wars fans, this naturally meant the final chapter of the saga.
The final Star Wars flim its appeal to fans is self-evident. Even those who are not Star Wars fans were itching to see it live, to bid farewell to this great series.
.....
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