Sunday, March 14, 2010

In Foreign Lands, It's All About Alice

No surprise about which flick rules the roost overseas.

...Director Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" in 3D ruled the foreign theatrical universe over the weekend for an exceptionally strong second stanza -- down just 24% from its opening round -- with an estimated $76 million in boxoffice draw from 6,621 screens in 48 markets ...

... Its worldwide tally is $430 million. ...

And I gotta think that Richard Cook is sleeping more soundly these days. But also thinking "Gee, if I'd just dodged Bob Iger's pink slip for a few more months ..."

In Hollywood, timing is 70% of the game.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Iger will give Cook any credit.

Hahahah, doubt it.

I wonder more how strongly he'll pimp Rich Ross as being at the helm during this boon. That should give him more credibility as he cuts down studios and artists right?

Way to turn the ship around as soon as it was heading in the right direction Disney.

Floyd Norman said...

"Turn the ship around?"

I think you mean, scuttle the ship. Arrrr! They're gonna regret making Captain Cook walk the plank.

Anonymous said...

Everyone seems ready to drop this at Iger's doorstep...maybe someone else was pushing for Cook to go....?

Anonymous said...

Cook would have been shown the door regardless. Cook's philosophy and way of working were far different from Iger's philosophy.

Anonymous said...

So, enlighten us. What are their two different philosophies?

Anonymous said...

One is to grow talent. To treat talent with respect and support them. Long term gain.

The other is to buy properties (Marvel) and play for short term gain based on the whims of the fickle audiences.

Anonymous said...

So who is who?

Anonymous said...

Growing talent, like talented directors and film makers? Talented directors like Raja Gosnell (Beverly Hills Chihuaua), Walt Becker (Old Dogs), P.J. Hogan (Confessions of a Shopaholic), Hoyt Yeatman (G-Force), Anne Fletcher (The Proposal), and Andy Fickman (Race to Witch Mountain).

Dick Cook had a close circle of friends and colleagues. He was great at making friends in the industry and cultivating those relationships which is why everyone has very fond memories of him. However he kept everything very close to the vest. He didn't share information with other divisions of Disney, and he didn't listen to the opinions of those outside his circle. He would let his close relationships influence his decisions instead of making the best decision for the company (placing Christmas Carol and Old Dogs in November with The Princess and the Frog in early December).

Aurora Dawson said...

"He would let his close relationships influence his decisions instead of making the best decision for the company (placing Christmas Carol and Old Dogs in November with The Princess and the Frog in early December)."

Honestly, I think all of us saw that this line-up would be a disaster. Old Dogs was definitely not the feel-good movie of the year.

To me or at least many people would say that The Princess and the Frog should've switched places with Old Dogs. May be then it would've done much better than 100 million state-side.

-Aurora

Anonymous said...

Really? you think Old Dogs took audience away from Frog?

Anonymous said...

Really? you think Old Dogs took audience away from Frog?

No they were saying that PatF would've done better in Old Dogs November spot. And have Old Dogs take PatF's spot.

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