How DVD is changing movies

The New York Times Magazine examines how the DVD sell-through concept has altered how studios make money, decide which films to greenlight, and plan their marketing campaigns. Why?

From about 2002 on, the larger stakes in Hollywood — the revenue that enables studios to finance blockbusters and to pay Brad Pitt and to keep the lights on — have come to ride mostly on those little silver discs that go on sale four or five months after a theatrical release. This year, for instance, 63 percent of studio feature-film revenues in the United States will come from movies sold to retail stores; actual box office will generate only 21 percent. According to Tom Adams, a well-regarded home-entertainment analyst whose firm, Adams Media Research, tracks DVD sales and trends, studios often get twice as much revenue from a big film’s retail sales as they do from its theatrical release.

Personally, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. It’s a lot harder for a film to get buried these days. However, I love the theatrical experience, and I think we should hang onto that as long as we can. But I suspect that as digital projection takes off, the days of the widespread use of (expensive) celluloid are numbered.

…But still no name

Sue Rostoni has posted several items on the OS boards about the 9-book post NJO trilogy:

Expect to see — Star Wars. We very much want to go back to the pulp Space Opera feel of the original movies (as opposed to hard SciFi). The focus will be character-driven situations, set against a backdrop of perhaps not galactic proportions, but certainly providing opportunities for spectacular space battles and lots of lightsaber action. Expect to see the major characters (Skywalkers and Solos) and many of the minor characters (Jedi Knights), and some old favorites. And, hopefully, a lot of surprises.

And on Ben Skywalker:

He’ll be 13 when the series begins and one of the main characters.

Added bonus info – the name of Jim Luceno’s post-Episode 3 hardcover will be Star Wars: Dark Lord.

Larry!

CJ’s ‘favorite’ fanboy, Larry Groznic, is back with a new column – “I Must Take Issue With The Wikipedia Entry For ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic”:

I remained silent in regard to those smaller matters, but I cannot ignore the travesty you call a copyleft encyclopedia article on “Weird Al.” Those who know me either by reputation or through IRC know that I do not suffer fools gladly. If you have been on the business end of one of my notorious outbursts of Internet anger, I do sympathize. And, for what is to come forthwith, I offer you my grim condolence. En garde.

I think I dated this guy in college. Oh, the shame.

Movie News: Pirates, Serenity, Elektra

Sci-Fi Wire talks to Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion about Serenity. And last but certainly not least, Filmforce’s set visit.

Jerry Bruckheimer talks Pirates sequel, dispels Keith Richards and subtitle rumors.

The offical site for Jennifer Garner’s Elektra movie is up. IESB has publicity stills.

Colin Farrell isn’t going to be 007, and doesn’t want to. Good. Give it to Jude Law already!

A Simpson’s movie? Erm… okay.

And finally, a new Narnia poster and a first look at Spielberg’s War Of The Worlds.

Game On!

If you got a bit lost in the flurry of fanboy love that came with the movie trailer, you might have missed the release of the trailer for the ROTS video game. More fleshed-out on the actual game than the earlier previews, it gives us an early glimpse of what to expect from Lucasfilm in the way of CGI sets and weaponry… And some VERY interesting possibilities for the finished film itself. But it IS only a video game, and these things ARE variable… but it’s a gold mine of nebulous hints to poke and prod at, and isn’t that part of the fun of the spoiler penthouse?