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Blu-ray Samurai
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I don't know why on Earth I'd bother, but here goes....
So, for the 50th time....
When Apple decided to start creating original films for their streaming service, they set aside 1.2 billion dollars to develop a handful of huge films exclusively for their streaming service, in the hopes of greatly increasing their subscription service's visibility and popularity (ie, to compete with the likes of Netflix and Disney+). The hope was to recoup the 1.2 billion (obviously, and then some) in the next three to five years, solely through the subscription streaming service. This is how it was pitched to Apple brass, and this is what was approved. Of that 1.2 billion, 207 million (the '.2') was spent on "Killers of the Flower Moon". Films like "Napoleon" and "Argyle" were also part of the package.
The films were to be placed exclusively on Apple streaming service, where they'd obviously not be counting 'box office' numbers. The films were seen as a long-term, prestige investment. Only subscribers to Apple's streaming service could even see the films.
No immediate revenue return was expected. Again, NO IMMEDIATE REVENUE RETURN WAS EXPECTED by Apple. As if this hasn't already been explained dozens of times.
Then, just this past late spring, shortly before the Cannes premiere of "Killers of the Flower Moon", and largely at the behest of Martin Scorsese, Apple decided to give the film a traditional, stately wide theatrical release, to further increase the legitimate prestige of the film, and perhaps make some of the revenue back sooner, and be a stronger awards contender, and possibly increase interest in Apple's streaming service once the film went on there, which was its original destination.
The theatrical release was literally an afterthought.
They partnered up with Paramount, and Paramount distributed the film.
This does NOT mean that the original intent of making the film a tentpole of their streaming service, and making the revenue back from subscriptions over time was aborted. If anything, the theatrical release would simply mean a return on their investment sooner than was planned or expected. It's literally extra revenue.
They likely knew, or at least suspected, that in today's theatrical environment of comic book movies, movies based on toys, movies based on video games, Disney stuff, and big franchises, that a film like this would most likely not have a huge return. One always hopes, of course, that the film will suddenly, surprisingly, catch on. But they were fully aware that it would likely never be a huge hit. This, however, was irrelevant, because they were originally prepared to make NO IMMEDIATE REVENUE AT ALL.
Then, the film has grossed 152 million globally, which after marketing, and exhibitor cuts, likely netted them around a third of the film's admittedly massive budget back. (It hasn't 'lost 200 million'). It hasn't lost anything, when the intention all along was to make the money back solely through subscriptions to the streaming service in the first place. The theatrical release was merely a BONUS.
In other words, it's too soon to tell if Apple's plan failed or not. If their subscription service ultimately falters or goes under within five years. THEN, they lost the money on their investment.
Finally, box office is absolutely NO indication, whatsoever, and never has been, as to a film's quality. Especially today, where people flood out to comic book franchises in record numbers.
A very mediocre, mid-tier film may make a billion dollars at the box office, and a masterpiece may well be a complete bomb.
This film is a masterpiece. It will be studied and discussed a generation from now.
The only difference is, this time, it was backed by a company that didn't care if it 'bombed' in theaters, or not.
And, in the future, when cinephiles and film historians discuss it, it will be completely irrelevant what its 2023 box office performance was.
There are plenty of other, far more successful films that will be completely forgotten, by then.
One last time for the couple of deaf guys. Not that it means anything, as they're just trolling, anyway.... ("My movie's better than yours, because it made a lot of money! So, neeyaahhhh....").
Now, I'm completely done with this topic, now.
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