An article over at the New York Times headlined “A Studio, a Star, a Fateful Bet” has a primary focus of discussing MGM’s current woes as a studio in general, but also dips into the reality that they haven’t had any real success for quite some time. I mean, even Quantum of Solace was co-financed and co-distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Of course MGM holds the sole rights to the 23rd James Bond film, but they have to hope they have their head above water by the time that film rolls around. I am sure the current economic crisis isn’t helping matters much as far as that idea is concerned.
Based on everything that has happened the article ends up pointing at the December 26 release of Valkyrie as a major test for the studio as well as its star, Tom Cruise. Considering the film centers on a group of men who set out to assassinate Hitler with Cruise playing a German officer, the release date, subject matter and casting has all come into question. The film has bounced all around the release schedule, has had to endure reshoots and despite some fantastic looking trailers still undergoes scrutiny based on the lack of German accents, especially from Cruise who plays the films figure-head Claus von Stauffenberg.
Speaking under anonymity only, one person told the Times, “Let’s face it, there was a time when the movie wasn’t on track; it is now.” Is it?
The article assesses the situation saying “[if Valkyrie] fails, [Cruise’s] status as a superstar, damaged by a rough parting with Paramount Pictures in 2006, slips another notch. And this time United Artists – clipped by a Cruise flop last year in Lions for Lambs – slips with it.” Some lofty expectations considering the film will have to contend with the animated The Tale of Despereaux, Jim Carrey’s new film Yes Man, Adam Sandler’s Disney flick Bedtime Stories, Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson rom-com Marley and Me, Will Smith in Seven Pounds, Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino and the Titanic reunion with Kate Winslet and Leo DiCaprio Revolutionary Road. Just how much money is it assumed the American moviegoers have? Once again the economic crisis rears its face like Putin over Alaska.
The article points out billboards that have started springing up downplaying Cruise’s involvement by featuring Cruise with five fellow actors and three slogans. The last of them, notably group-oriented, reads: “The conspiracy begins this December.” The release date move to December was assumed to be due to an attempt at awards consideration but apparently the film will be released with no Oscar campaign.
Valkyrie‘s budget is rumored to be somewhere around $75-90 million and is said to be getting a $60 million marketing budget. Does this mean this flick is going to have to post $150 million just to break even? What number are we looking at to make it considered a hit? Or better yet, what does it have to do to not be considered a failure?
I can’t help but wonder, if Valkyrie does indeed fail, what happens to MGM? What happens to Cruise? Can he not dig himself out of the hole his couch jumping put him in back in 2006?
