Made in Hollywood

Although he believes that a 2D film like "The Dark Knight" cannot surpass "Titanic" in terms of box office, Duke will not ignore the power of this film. After all, it was only released for two weeks. The North American box office was close to $400 million.

Overseas, "The Dark Knight" is indeed as expected by Duke, which is a little duller than the North American box office, but the data obtained are still dazzling.

In the three days of its first weekend overseas, the film earned $6.57 million in Brazil, $8.68 million in Mexico, $12.94 million in France, $15.62 million in Germany, and $26.09 million in the United Kingdom...

In Heath Ledger's hometown of Australia, "The Dark Knight" raked in $18.72 million in its opening weekend, setting a new Australian weekend box office record.

And at the just-concluded Brisbane Film Festival, the organizing committee awarded Heath? Ledger Chaville Award in recognition of its contribution to the Australian film industry.

These all stimulated the Australian audience's attention to "The Dark Knight".

However, "The Dark Knight" in Hollywood's most important box office market has suffered a cold reception. The Japanese have always been unfamiliar with superhero movies, and the Batman series is no exception. This film was only harvested in Japan during the first weekend. $3 million at the box office.

Even so, the film made $185.66 million from overseas in its opening weekend, making it the first film to hit the global market this year.

In North America and overseas, the box office total of "The Dark Knight" easily exceeded $500 million, reaching $561.32 million.

Although the overseas box office is somewhat flat compared to the North American box office, "The Dark Knight" has a good reputation in various countries.

Hong Kong's "Oriental Daily" believes that the "Dark Knight" is particularly wonderful in the Hollywood super fantasy film. It is very strange and thrilling, and it is not trivial, and the excellent CG special effects are supplemented by real materials to form compelling visual effects.

The British "The Times" directly reiterated the original words of several film fans interviewed, "The Dark Knight is a rare masterpiece", "The biggest surprise this summer and this year so far", "Undoubtedly the best surprise of 2008" good film".

France's Le Figaro also sings a rare tribute to a Hollywood film - when was the last time you saw a blockbuster that was impeccable, thought-provoking, intense and always entertaining ?

Crazy box office and word of mouth, not only brought huge profits. There are also Warner Bros. considerations for the future, especially some plans for DC's superhero movie style.

"Audiences are always looking for new thrills, and I think they're getting tired of those types of superhero movies in the past, to a certain extent."

In the conference room of Warner Bros., Jamie Johnson said, "The success of "The Dark Knight" can give us a lot of tips. I think DC's future superhero movies can be made more Serious and realistic, instead of taking the comical route of Marvel."

"The Dark Knight is more than just a financial gain for Warner Bros."

Doug Walter, sitting at the top of the table, looked at Duke and said, "And those elements of how a DC superhero movie should be made."

All the executives nodded. Now that there is a successful template, the next step is of course to continue making according to this template.

Vice President Robert Solomon also said, "I think the next DC superhero movies can eliminate more of those 'interesting' elements. The style is more serious and dark."

Many eyes turned to Duke, the DC superhero movie that was almost on the brink of rundown. Now under his hands, he has created a brilliance that this genre has never had before, making DC's superheroes a hot topic again...

There is no doubt about the way forward for DC superhero movies. Duke has a heavyweight voice.

serious? The Dark Knight is not serious at all!

Closing the new "Superman" script in his hand, Duke looked at the people sitting on both sides of the conference table and said, "I think the script is set up pretty well, showing the human side of Superman and letting Clark Kent find himself. The practice is also worthy of recognition, but there is one thing..."

All ears perked up, Superman is one of the biggest names in DC Comics and Warner Bros.

"I think the content of the script is too dark, and Superman is not Superman at all." Duke thought for a while, and then said, "Clarke Kent and Bruce Wayne are two completely different characters. It is also inappropriate to apply the style of the new version of "Superman"."

He looked at Doug Walter and said, "I don't think it's a wise choice to cut out the 'fun' stuff in the movie and make the rest of the DC superhero movies in a serious and dark style."

The darkening style can be used, but according to the meaning of Warner Bros. management, each and every DC superhero will become some sad characters, and will strictly follow the principle of "not funny".

This kind of follow-up behavior is obviously overkill.

Duke is well aware that Hollywood is an extremely follower circle.

For example, Hollywood once saw the success of "Avatar", but only focused on its 3D effect, so it decided to show as many 3D works as possible in the theater. Several major companies saw the success of "Inception", Instead of thinking that - oh, it turns out audiences like to watch high-quality original sci-fi movies - it's thinking, let's remake films like Cosmic Dragon and Total Recall...

The success of "The Dark Knight" has not only brought Warner Bros. to follow suit in DC superhero movies, but other companies have moved faster, such as Sony Columbia Pictures, which obtained the copyright of "The Mask of Zorro" from DreamWorks. After the sequel was difficult to produce due to various problems for several years, it was just announced on Monday that the sequel was officially launched, and claimed that the new version of "Zorro" will not be a grand rogue film in the traditional sense, but closer to the style of "The Dark Knight". Demonstrate character with a new backstory, realistic style and emotional focus. "

Even, in the case of "The Dark Knight" in North America, some companies and market research agencies believe that audiences no longer like "interesting" superheroes.

Robert Solomon didn't seem to agree with Duke's words, saying, "But The Dark Knight..."

"I did use a dark style and a realism in The Dark Knight, but they all have to adhere to a principle," Duke interrupted Robert Solomon directly, raising his voice a little, "They bring the necessary It's exciting, lively, and fun big-screen entertainment!"

Even if it is dark and realistic, "The Dark Knight" is a highly entertaining commercial masterpiece!

He is a major shareholder of Warner Bros. and a member of Time Warner's board of directors. The success or failure of DC superhero movies is directly related to Duke's vital interests. Farther and farther on the road.

As he just said, the darkened style can be used properly, but it must not completely eliminate the 'interesting' content.

Duke raised his voice again to reinforce his tone, "I'm not going to waste my time here quoting those funny lines and scenes from The Dark Knight, all of you have seen it and have your own preferences, any Anyone who thinks this movie is very serious either has never seen it or absolutely hates the performances of Michael Caine and Lawrence Fishburne."

Then, he looked at the top of the conference table, "When I was shooting, I once said to Doug that this series would be suitable for teenagers and even children around 13 years old, and I did the same when shooting and producing. "

Although MPAA will also be publicized, the PG-13 rating of "The Dark Knight" is enough to explain a lot of problems.

The Dark Knight is really heavy, but it has nothing to do with seriousness, which is often the opposite of entertainment.

As we all know, entertainment and a PG-13 rating are one of the basic conditions for a film to sell well.

The Dark Knights became box office hits not because they were serious, gloomy, and gloomy, but because most of their content was high-quality, well-thought-out, ingenious entertainment, but also grippingly thrilling and down-to-earth. humour, and engaging characters.

The film does touch on dark themes and has characters burdened by their own insanity, but overall it's full of energy and humor.

It's an oversimplification to think that The Dark Knight was so successful because it was "gloomy, serious, and realistic."

Just as "The Sixth Sense" earned nearly $300 million at the North American box office, it wasn't because of the dramatic reversal; "Avatar" made $2.7 billion worldwide not because it was just a 3D movie.

"Duke, if it's not exactly the style of The Dark Knight." Doug Walter looked at him and asked, "Then your opinion is..."

Frowning slightly, Duke considered for a few seconds, then said, "Movies succeed or fail for many reasons, and it's dangerous to always blame it on one factor. Also, importantly, hit movies, especially They're super hit movies, and they're big hits because they're all-round entertainment with a certain quality."

"I think the dark style can be used, but not abused," Duke said finally, "We can make Clark Kent find himself, but we can't let him be in the same pain as Bruce Wayne. Others such as Aquaman, Characters like Wonder Woman are even more inappropriate."

Compared with Marvel's relatively easy and entertaining route, although DC's heroes have more hatred and bitterness, if they are all blackened, the audience will inevitably feel bored.

Of course, seriousness is poisonous to any superhero movie. (To be continued ~^~)