Is Will Ferrell Lost?
Posted by Matt Rosenberg on June 10, 2009 at 12:10 am
DELICIOUS
STUMBLEUPON
REDDITWill Ferrell’s new movie “Land of the Lost” took in a disappointing $18.8 million
this past weekend. In fact, analysts had anticipated a shotty start to the theatrical run of the film, but even this opening failed to beat low estimates. I have to say I’m kind of shocked because I thought this film would be Ferrell’s return to film glory. Despite the 100% negative feedback it is receiving, I will still see the film; I don’t know why but I want to see it. Perhaps for the sake of Danny McBride
being in it. Who knows, but I really did think this film was set for Ferrell to make his return to Hollywood’s box office A list.
This film is Ferrell’s fourth flop in his past 5 films; Stranger Than Fiction, Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, Step Brothers and Land of the Lost. Only Step Brothers was profitable and that’s just from examining box office revenue versus film cost ($100+ million in revenue, $65 million cost). Who even knows how much they spent on advertising. All I can say is each Ferrell movie has a giant billboard in New York’s Time Square, meaning each advertising budget is fairly significant. Even in Baseball terms 1-5 isn’t good. Ferrell might be in serious trouble here.
Land of the Lost cost roughly $100 million. The studio has only taken back about 20% of that to date and will almost certainly not make their money back. How much longer can they keep pouring cash into Ferrell’s star power. The man has made a career on being the doofis, the goofball, and being overly intense. We saw this weekend, that the people he typically attracts flocked to see The Hangover, the more vulgar, crude, and funnier film. He even failed to attract the family types who all went to see UP. So his movies aren’t funny enough for 20 year olds nor are they kid friendly enough for families. That puts his attractibility in a bad spot. Who is he supposed to be marketed towards?
Writing in the Los Angeles Times, columnist
Patrick Goldstein writes that “He’s in danger of becoming the comedy equivalent of George Clooney, someone who enjoys a great deal of goodwill but who isn’t actually a real movie star.” Is Ferrell’s money making ability really in jeopardy. This has got me very surprised.
I know people who own Ferrell’s SNL DVD as well as many of his movies. His roles over the years have provided us with plenty of hilarious lines that we still use today. I would be a little presumptious to say his career is nearing an end, but if something isn’t done quickly to resurrect is gimic, he could be in serious trouble.
Perhaps he should take some time off; come back in a year or two from now, sort of like what Seth Rogen should do. That way he will be fresh and ready to drop some hilarious movie on us.
View More Reviews >>
Leave a comment