JUDGE DREDD GOES INTO PRODUCTION FALL 2010

[CraveNoir]

Variety just reported that UK distribution rights have been signed. The all important US rights still to come, but it's very nice to hear that there's a lot of buzz surrounding the project. That can only be good news for the morale of those involved, and perhaps lead to a little boost in the budget or other aspects of the production.

IM Global's mammoth roughly $7 million pre-sale deal over the weekend with Entertainment for UK rights to "Dredd 3D" is indicative of the three-headed beast that the Toronto Film Festival has become — a launchpad for fall films and a place to do business on domestic acquisitions and, increasingly, foreign sales.

US deals may seem like the sexiest fest biz, but it was the size of the IM Global-Entertainment pre-sale deal for "Dredd" that had film execs buzzing on Sunday. They say it's likely the biggest territory deal, whether foreign or domestic, to come out of Toronto in recent times.

DNA Films is producing "Dredd," while Reliance Big Entertainment and IM Global financed.

I think this is the confusingly named Entertainment: http://edcllc.com/

[Mark Taylor]

I think this is the confusingly named Entertainment: http://edcllc.com/

Actually pretty sure it's this company here, if indeed they are a different company (yes, very confusing). http://www.entertainmentfilms.co.uk

[CraveNoir]

Yes, that makes a lot more sense. Thank you.

I'm guessing that while modestly budgeted films can seek distribution later in the process, it makes financial sense for a larger budgeted project to get those matters locked in place before tons of money goes flying around.

[CraveNoir]

More good stuff as Dredd is the star attraction behind the scenes at the Toronto Film Festival. (Like I know WTF I'm talking about!)

Variety reports

Stuart Ford's sales company IM Global has landed more than $30 million in foreign pre-sales for DNA Films pic "Dredd" ... making it by far the biggest deal of the fest so far.

In five days, IM Global has sold the pic to a raft of major territories including Germany (Universum); Spain (Aurum); Australia (Icon); Canada (Alliance); Russia (CP Media); Benelux (eOne); Latin America (IDC); and Scandinavia (Svensk).

U.S. buyers likewise are circling "Dredd" and a domestic deal is expected to be closed within the week.

[JOE SOAP]

With this currently promised $30 million in pre-sales, the budget for Dredd is all ready half-way to break-even. So what are they using to convince the investors that it's worth it - a script, karl urban and Jock's art book? or is there even a preliminary showreel?

[radiator]

Wow - good news!

With this currently promised $30 million in pre-sales, the budget for Dredd is all ready half-way to break-even. So what are they using to convince the investors that it's worth it - a script, karl urban and Jock's art book? or is there even a preliminary showreel?

John Wagner has mentioned that he has seen some sort of sfx showreel - cgi work of how a 'convincing' Mega City will look in the movie.

[Emperor]

It goes into production in November and it has just secured $30 million-worth of pre-sales, so the budget is nearly covered already (making the idea of a sequel pretty likely and people are going to be looking long and hard at other Rebellion IP):

$30 million is really not bad going at all. Variety  note that this is the most successful sales effort in Toronto this year. It would seem that whatever IM are selling the film on – possibly no more than a talent list, synopsis and some artwork – is making this one look like a sure bet for netting customers here, there and everywhere. Though I guess the promise of boosted 3D ticket prices probably didn't hurt, and neither will have the furious online buzz for the film.

www.bleedingcool.com/2010/09/14/new-judge-dredd-film-already-doing-well-in-pre-sales/

[Dreddzilla]

Just thought I'd add this from bleedingcool.com in to the mix.

New Judge Dredd Film Already Doing Well In Pre-Sales

Pete Travis' $45 million reboot of Judge Dredd's cinematic second life should be gearing up steadily for a November shoot in South Africa. Already, however, the film's sales agent IM Global are beavering away busily, lining up distribution deals around the world.

Just during the ongoing Toronto Film Festival, IM have managed to secure a total of $30 million worth of international deals. That means, from the point of view of the producers, the film is already two thirds of it's way to break-even. Cue spurious rumours of early sequel development being kick-started and other Millar-esque blarney?

$30 million is really not bad going at all. Variety note that this is the most successful sales effort in Toronto this year. It would seem that whatever IM are selling the film on – possibly no more than a talent list, synopsis and some artwork – is making this one look like a sure bet for netting customers here, there and everywhere. Though I guess the promise of boosted 3D ticket prices probably didn't hurt, and neither will have the furious online buzz for the film.

Grud let this great news please result in a toy line by HASBRO!
So my question is will this money go towards a increase in the filming budget?

[Emperor]

Worth looking at the Variety piece this is based on (as long as you can get round all the movie biz speak like skedded):

In five days, IM Global has sold the pic to a raft of major territories including Germany (Universum); Spain (Aurum); Australia (Icon); Canada (Alliance); Russia (CP Media); Benelux (eOne); Latin America (IDC); and Scandinavia (Svensk).

Over the weekend, IM Global struck a hefty $7 million deal for the futuristic pic with Blighty distrib Entertainment.

...

Ford's decision to come TIFF this year and treat the fest as an active trading market means "Dredd," penned by Alex Garland, has sold to 90% of the world here at the fest.

U.S. buyers likewise are circling "Dredd" and a domestic deal is expected to be closed within the week.

www.variety.com/article/VR1118024155.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

If the UK deal was $7 million then I'd imagine the US one will be quite a bit larger than that, so if they are right they will have essentially covered the budget months before filming starts - a very impressive achievement, one that'd surely guarantee a sequel.

So my question is will this money go towards a increase in the filming budget?

Doubtful - they'll have everything costed up at this stage. They also want to prove they can bring this in on a lowish budget and make a tonne of cash, which will set them up very nicely for sequels, where they will be looking for a bigger budget.

[Dreddzilla]

www.variety.com/article/VR1118024155.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

If the UK deal was $7 million then I'd imagine the US one will be quite a bit larger than that, so if they are right they will have essentially covered the budget months before filming starts - a very impressive achievement, one that'd surely guarantee a sequel.

But wouldn't this movie still need to at least make back it's budget at the U.S. B-O before a sequel can be given the go ahead?

[Emperor]

www.variety.com/article/VR1118024155.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

If the UK deal was $7 million then I'd imagine the US one will be quite a bit larger than that, so if they are right they will have essentially covered the budget months before filming starts - a very impressive achievement, one that'd surely guarantee a sequel.

But wouldn't this movie still need to at least make back it's budget at the U.S. B-O before a sequel can be given the go ahead?

Not if it makes back the budget in pre-sales, which it seems well on course for doing - they'll have the $45 million in the bank before they have to spend it all. It could be into profit before they sell a ticket. Everything is gravy after that -  the distributors are going to want to make back the big bags of cash they have just spent so there will be a big publicity drive for this so the expectation must be that this is going to easily make it to $100 million (I don't know what ticket sales you'd need in the UK to make back an outlay of $7 million but that is going to contribute to a big slice of the take), as long as it doesn't suck giant hairy goats balls of course.

[Dreddzilla]

www.variety.com/article/VR1118024155.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

If the UK deal was $7 million then I'd imagine the US one will be quite a bit larger than that, so if they are right they will have essentially covered the budget months before filming starts - a very impressive achievement, one that'd surely guarantee a sequel.

But wouldn't this movie still need to at least make back it's budget at the U.S. B-O before a sequel can be given the go ahead?

the distributors are going to want to make back the big bags of cash they have just spent so there will be a big publicity drive for this so the expectation must be that this is going to easily make it to $100 million

In the U.S. right?
Sweet Jebus, I hope the HARD R doesn't hurt it at the B.O.

[Emperor]

www.variety.com/article/VR1118024155.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

If the UK deal was $7 million then I'd imagine the US one will be quite a bit larger than that, so if they are right they will have essentially covered the budget months before filming starts - a very impressive achievement, one that'd surely guarantee a sequel.

But wouldn't this movie still need to at least make back it's budget at the U.S. B-O before a sequel can be given the go ahead?

the distributors are going to want to make back the big bags of cash they have just spent so there will be a big publicity drive for this so the expectation must be that this is going to easily make it to $100 million

In the U.S. right?

No necessarily - you'd be happy with that globally I suppose (before DVD sales kick in), as the take would be double the budget, but if they could do that in the US then that'd be great. To make back $30 million they'd have to be expecting sales at least 3 or 4 times that to cover their outlay.

Sweet Jebus, I hope the HARD R doesn't hurt it at the B.O.

We'll see - if the US distributors lay down $10-20 million then they'd obviously have decided it either wouldn't or that going for this classification might help make it more of a must-see. It'll be interesting seeing what the numbers work out as - I assume someone has figured out the sums on this one with regard to what the distributors are prepared to pay versus what the expected take would be.

[Dreddzilla]

Sweet Jebus, I hope the HARD R doesn't hurt it at the B.O.

We'll see - if the US distributors lay down $10-20 million then they'd obviously have decided it either wouldn't or that going for this classification might help make it more of a must-see. It'll be interesting seeing what the numbers work out as - I assume someone has figured out the sums on this one with regard to what the distributors are prepared to pay versus what the expected take would be.

I'd just like to say to everyone on the boards that 'normally' I don't care what A movie is rated (Some of my favorite movies being A Clockwork Orange, Robocop, ALIEN) However, There are many of us Dreddhead's in the states (at least the ones I know) Believe the R hurt the B.O. of the previous film. I know it seems R movies are doing relatively well now (The Expendables, Resident Evil Afterlife) But DREDD (as far as I know) doesn't have the STAR power of The Expendables or the Built in Video Game fan base that R-E has here in the states.

[Stan]

I think a film needs to make back 2 to 3 times its budget before it starts to make a profit. Though at 45 million I wouldn't have thought Dredd would have a problem. Assuming the marketing guys aren't smoking crack or wacking off to porn on the job. We're expecting better than Doom, right?