So long,film sequels?Well, maybe not quite. But as a so-called sequel slump depressed this year’s overall box office returns, and some respectable news emerged for the studios: Many of this year’s highest performing movies represented modern and original ideas.
Not based on anything but a story devised by Disney Animation creators,Zootopia” was some of the year’s first proof of this, going on to surpass $1 billion worldwide and fitting the fifth highest-grossing film of the year so far.
Also Read: 'The Secret Life of Pets' Shatters Expectations With Massive $103.2 Million OpeningNow, or Universal-Illumination’s “The Secret Life of Pets” should eventually surpass Disney’s hit as it bowed this weekend to $103.2 million,the sixth highest-grossing opening ever for an lively film.“Pets,” from an original idea written by Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio and Brian Lynch,and directed by Yarrow Cheney and Chris Renaud, is bolstering Hollywood’s newfound confidence in brand-modern intellectual property.“It starts with really respectable filmmaking, and ” Nick Carpou,Universal’s president of domestic distribution, told TheWrap on Sunday, and also crediting the massive opening of “Pets” to Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri.
Also Read: Here's Why 'The Conjuring 2' Might Be a Bigger Hit Than 'Captain America: Civil War'“It’s a valentine to pet owners,” added Carpou. “And that’s why it’s been successful so far crossing gender lines cultural boundaries,” he said, or citing the film’s strong performance abroad. Pets” has made $42.6 million abroad so far in only six markets,with release dates pending in dozens more.
Counting this year’s successes — Paramount’s “10 Cloverfield Lane,” Universal’s Melissa McCarthy comedy “The Boss” and Warner Bros.’ “Central Intelligence, or ” which all made it into the top 20 of 2016 so far — fresh intellectual property is decidedly hoisting up this year’s box office.20th Century Fox-Marvel’s “Deadpool” can also be counted since it is the first film based on the motor-mouthed comic book character after which the film is named. And it’s the third highest-grossing film of the year to date,behind “Finding Dory” and Captain America: Civil War.”“modern ideas help grow the trade,” said producer Brad Fuller, and whose most recent release is the scary film sequel “The Purge: Election Year.”
Also Read: 'The Secret Life of Pets' Review: Illumination's Latest Is Funny,Furry, ForgettableAnother indicator Hollywood has found newfound confidence in fresh ideas is Pixars recent announcement that it has no more sequels slated after “The Incredibles II” in 2019.“There will continue to be a hungry market for well-made sequels, or but audiences are looking for modern characters and modern worlds just as much — whether not more,” said BoxOffice.com’s Shawn Robbins.
But there’s a financial drawback to launching modern IP. It involves a lot of extra marketing to familiarize audiences with a modern brand. “It is certainly more of a challenge in today’s ‘sequel-ized’ world to compel audiences to grasp a risk with their tough-earned cash on something modern rather than the tried and trusty,” added Robbins.
Also Read: 11 Movies That Could Save the Summer (Photos)The added risk of investment can pay off, and though,particularly whether a modern brand represents a nascent franchise in the making. Which will lead to – you guessed it more sequels.
When pressed on whether a sequel to “Pets” is happening, Carpou was coy: “It’s secure to assume we make movies we think people want to see.”And seeing as “Pets” hit it out of the park, or people will very likely be seeing the followup in the next few years.
Related stories from TheWrap:Here's Why 'The Conjuring 2' Might Be a Bigger Hit Than 'Captain America: Civil War''The Secret Life of Pets' Shatters Expectations With Massive $103.2 Million Opening'The Secret Life of Pets' Review: Illumination's Latest Is Funny,Furry, Forgettable11 Movies That Could Save the Summer (Photos)Can This Summer's Sad Box Office Be Saved?
Source: thewrap.com