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This past weekend’s big sci-fi release - wasn’t so big. While the truth may still be out there, not a lot of moviegoers were interested in finding it. The X-Files: I Want to Believe bowed in fourth place with only $10.2 million. It garnered mixed reviews and Fox execs are still trying to put a positive spin on things and say it will turn a profit. But considering it got trounced by the likes of Step Brothers and Mamma Mia, that’s not very likely.
Much of the X-Files’ problem resulted from timing. It’s been six years since the TV series went off the air. That’s tough enough for a show like Star Trek to overcome but with the number of questions a show like X-Files raises, it’s hard to maintain that interest over more than half a decade.
Also, there is the questionable decision to release the movie just a week after The Dark Knight. A lot of the X-Files’ fanbase (me included) was busy trying to see the Batman sequel a second time. Opening that closely to the biggest movie of summer gave the X-Files zero chance to open at number one.
The film reveals the alien invasion is supposed to take place in 2012, which seems to be trying to set up a sequel. But with these opening weekend numbers, I wouldn’t bet on it.
Image courtesy of 20th Century-Fox Film Corp., 2008
For what it is worth, the movie now has turned a profit prior to the release of the DVD. And I know I will be first in line to buy the extended version of the movie when it releases on December 2!
Chow Yun-Fat has stronger acting chops I think. I can see him in a movie without stereotypical movie themes better than Jet. When I see Jet Li in a film, I just start mentally counting down the secs til he kicks somebody in the head.
Fraser does do that for me as well, but I’ve never really been much of Jet-Li fan…I’m more of Chow Yun-Fat fan.
–Godspeed–
I think Mummy bows to much lower expectations, Dark Knight has had a good run and if it’s no. 1 again with the same amount of money it’s been raking in, we are looking at Titanic like nos. Everything in Titanic’s path got crushed too.
If Mummy can pull in around $20 million this weekend, I think the studio feels like it’s a hit. They were smart enough to stay out of Batman’s way for two weeks. Even those of us viewing Dark Knight multiple times will eventually need a fix of something else.
Mummy looks like a fun way to kill 90 minutes. I don’t have the expectations for it I did for Dark Knight, Iron Man or even Hellboy. I don’t know that anyone does. I’ll be content if it’s a good popcorn flick, Brendan Fraser makes me laugh and Jet Li kicks people in the head.
Bad week, bad month, bad summer 2 even TRY and release an X-Files movie…especially a sequel @ that. Altogether, bad decisions by the studios & producers to make this film for 1. And 2, release it this year. Reason 1 stems from what Mr. Chico was saying. Reason 2 makes just plain economic & marketing common sense. If you believe your movie is blockbuster & plan 2 release during the summer, you DON’T pick the summer that’s filled w/so many hero action-adventure flicks AND the fall season blowing in a new Bond film & another Star Trek…Duh!
Similarly, “Mummy 3″ is gonna suffer the same shame.
–Godspeed–
Cyn, there’s probably more truth to that than we even realize. I was watching the Comic-Con coverage on G4 and not buying an X-Files ticket.
It’s actually because everyone was at Comic Con! Talk about a bad week to premiere a cult sci fi flick!
LOL
Even a hardcore horror movie about Supernatural would make the Exorcist look p.g. rated.
It’s because it’s really old news….the series I mean. Today’s kids or young generation is into Hannah Montanna, or the Jonas brothers or MTV’S Tila Tequila….or Iron Man, Darknight. Today’s young people want to see ”TRANSFORMERS PART 2”. Like Obama says its time for change. We don’t care anything about ER, or Scrubs , or Smallville. These shows and the XFiles are yesterday’s news. Do a movie about ”Heroes” and it will make money….at the box office.