Though Hollywood has cozied up to Comic-Con, which is in San Diego on July 22, a filmâs strong showing there does not necessarily portend success at the box office. Nor does a poor screening imply a bomb.
In a look at Comic-Con The New York Times notes that a film industry dazzled by the faith that comic-book adaptations are a no-lose, license-to-print-money proposition, theyâre missing a larger point in seeking Comic-Con approval: Itâs an inherently tribal audience, and one that tends to be the most fired up about something when they think no one else is. Itâs part of that insular, clubhouse mentality that also bubbles up in games.
To wit, âJonah Hex,â the adaptation of the DC Comics title got a rousing welcome at last yearâs convention, aided and abetted by Megan Foxâs cooing appearing, perhaps. âHexâ has been a disappointment at the box office. âAvatarâ got a lukewarm, at best, reception, with nitpicking fan criticism dogging it with the dread itâd be an expensive dud, right up to release. We all know what happened in reality.
To me it sounds a bit like a primary election whose candidates must appeal to the hardcore partisans, then become more accessible and moderate for the general public. Some films havenât gotten, or by their nature simply canât get, that second part.
I suppose itâs axiomatic that when you market to people who by nature donât want to be a part of the crowd, you canât expect them to speak for it, either. That wonât stop the studios from trying for their endorsement.
Here Comes Hollywood, Courting All Planets [The New York Times]
