JUDGE DREDD GOES INTO PRODUCTION FALL 2010

[weehawk]

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.

...but at the same time, however, R-rated films like "300", "District 9", and "Underworld" didn't have star-power either and did quite well at the boxoffice.

  If "Dredd" has good reviews, positive word of mouth, and is given an appropriate release date(like August or September), it should do fine.

 

[JOE SOAP]

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.

The previous film wasn't really an R, it was paticularly tame, An R then is not an R now and one of the reasons it failed was because people were expecting more and it compromised on the content because they wanted to market it to the after cinema younger audience as well.

[IndigoPrime]

I think a film needs to make back 2 to 3 times its budget before it starts to make a profit.

Yup. People forget that the 'budgets' mentioned in these things are production budgets—the money required to make the film. They ignore the marketing budget, which is usually roughly the same. That's why Serenity was considered such a disaster. It 'cost' $39m and grossed a smidge under that, but went on to sell a massive pile of DVDs. The assumption by most is that it went on to profit, and so why wasn't there a sequel? The reality is that even with its massive DVD sales, it likely still made a loss. (See also: Scott Pilgrim. Even if that becomes a cult hit on DVD/Blu-Ray, it's never going to make back what they spent on it.)

Dredd will need to open high in the US—#2 at the minimum, and take $15m+ in its opening. Overall, it needs a US gross of at the very least in the $60m area to have any chance at all of spawning a sequel. The signs so far are encouraging, though, and the fact the production budget is pretty low is smart. A $150m Dredd film would be a dumb move. The one they're doing provides an opportunity. If it bombs, it'll still not be a horrible loss; but there's the chance it could do a Kick-Ass ($28m budget, $95m gross).

On star power, that could be an issue, but Urban's relatively well-regarded, and it's also clear we're now beyond solely star-driven vehicles, even in the action/sci-fi space. Hollywood just doesn't have the money anymore.

[Keef Monkey]

There are also dvd and blu-ray

I think a film needs to make back 2 to 3 times its budget before it starts to make a profit.

Yup. People forget that the 'budgets' mentioned in these things are production budgets—the money required to make the film. They ignore the marketing budget, which is usually roughly the same. That's why Serenity was considered such a disaster. It 'cost' $39m and grossed a smidge under that, but went on to sell a massive pile of DVDs. The assumption by most is that it went on to profit, and so why wasn't there a sequel? The reality is that even with its massive DVD sales, it likely still made a loss. (See also: Scott Pilgrim. Even if that becomes a cult hit on DVD/Blu-Ray, it's never going to make back what they spent on it.)

Dredd will need to open high in the US—#2 at the minimum, and take $15m+ in its opening. Overall, it needs a US gross of at the very least in the $60m area to have any chance at all of spawning a sequel. The signs so far are encouraging, though, and the fact the production budget is pretty low is smart. A $150m Dredd film would be a dumb move. The one they're doing provides an opportunity. If it bombs, it'll still not be a horrible loss; but there's the chance it could do a Kick-Ass ($28m budget, $95m gross).

On star power, that could be an issue, but Urban's relatively well-regarded, and it's also clear we're now beyond solely star-driven vehicles, even in the action/sci-fi space. Hollywood just doesn't have the money anymore.

I was just about to mention the dvd/blu-ray revenue. Apparently the Tom Jane Punisher movie only got greenlit for a sequel after dvd sales eventually pushed it into profit, so the idea that a movie needs to make a certain amount on its make or break opening weekend isn't always true. Mind you that initial box office might be more crucial on a $45million budget (Punisher only cost about $15mil if I remember correctly/vaguely).

At any rate, this is brilliant news, my assumption was that a lot of that pre-sales money could go towards a big marketing push to make sure it does the business.

[dweezil2]

It's brilliant to hear that things are running so smoothly for Dredd's production-it's generating some amazing pre-release buzz. There's obviously a lot of good will aimed toward the film and I have no hesitation in declaring......

Bring on a sequel!

Us fans deserve it!

Can't wait for Dredd 1 too.

[Beeks]

45 mil isn't that bad a budget when you think that District 9 only had 30 mil

[CYCLOPZ]

Judge Dredd featured here as Character to watch

http://ifanboy.com/podcasts/video/iFanboy_-_Episode__180_-_Josh_s_Shelves__iFanboy_Membership_Grand_Prize__and_Judge_Dredd

skip to (12:49)

[Dreddzilla]

I'm hoping the uniform looks similar to this 



And yes I noticed the '95 Gloves, Eagle & Collar. 

[Dash Decent]

Is it my imagination or is the Dredd badge a photo of the Termight Replicas replica?

[James Stacey]

Is it my imagination or is the Dredd badge a photo of the Termight Replicas replica?

No it's not your imagination

http://2000adcovers.blogspot.com/2010/09/ding-dong-dredd-calling.html

The chunky angular respirator, eagle and shoulder pads also fell into that blocky, utilitarian look. I should have carried to look through to the badge and belt buckle but I had been generously given a Termight Replica badge by Wakefield Carter and I thought it would be a shame not to use it!"

[Beeks]

Good write up in the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/sep/16/judge-dredd-dna-toronto

[Colin Zeal]

Couple of brief comments from Urban on the film here.

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=28952

[Dreddzilla]

How long before they let us see some concept work? (besides what's out there now)

[Kowalsky (formerly JudgeGumpty)]

How long before they let us see some concept work? (besides what's out there now)

I know theres been a fair trickle of news coming out of late but it would be nice to see a few screenies coming out. Props, set design (if there going to have any could be all greenscreen) and or a sneaky glimpse of the all important Uniform.

[Dreddzilla]

How long before they let us see some concept work? (besides what's out there now)

I know theres been a fair trickle of news coming out of late but it would be nice to see a few screenies coming out. Props, set design (if there going to have any could be all greenscreen) and or a sneaky glimpse of the all important Uniform.

Now that's what I'm talking about! Or at least a quick glimpse of his helmet or badge.