NEW LINE CINEMA'S THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS POSTS TOWERING OPENING DAY AROUND THE WORLD WITH $42 MILLION
Central Film in Trilogy Garners $26 Million Domestically and
$16 Million Internationally, Breaking Records In Eight Territories.
Film also Receive 2 Golden Globe Nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, Peter Jackson.
Los Angeles, CA, December 19, 2002 - New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the central film in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy, took the global box office by storm on its first day in theaters Wednesday, garnering an estimated $42 million one-day worldwide gross - $26 million domestic and $16 million international - up nearly 45% from last year's one day worldwide gross of $29 million. The film broke all single day records in Denmark and opening day records in seven other international territories, it was announced today by Rolf Mittweg New Line Cinema's president and chief operating officer, worldwide distribution and marketing.
Domestically, the film surpassed the opening day receipts of its predecessor by 44% (last year, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring opened at $18 million). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers drew moviegoers as early as Tuesday night when fans lined up for sold-out midnight showings at 3,622 theaters. The film is the second highest Wednesday opener ever (behind 1999's Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at $28.5M). Internationally, the film posted a $16 million overall gross, up 45% from last year (Fellowship bowed to an $11 million overall opening day internationally). The film is playing on nearly 12000 screens worldwide, 6633 screens domestic and and 5,000 internationally.
"Seeing increases in major territories speaks to the emerging worldwide phenomenon built around this trilogy," Mittweg said. "This powerful response also illustrates the true universality of Tolkien's themes and the broad reach of Jackson's vision." He adds, "We're astounded at these numbers. For a three-hour film that is central in a trilogy to open this way is energizing and tremendously exciting."
Opening day-and-date in numerous global territories, the film broke all single day records in Denmark, and marked the highest opening day ever in Germany, Austria, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and Norway. Further, the film posted increases from last year's opening day of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in all territories, up as high as 98% in Belgium.
Territory Gross Increase
Austria 523K 69%
Belgium 300K 98%
Denmark 830K 66%
Finland 240K 38%
France 1.93M 21%
Germany 3.95M 36%
Greece 218K 51%
Holland 350K 85%
Norway 790K 65%
South Africa 156K 39%
Spain 1.08M 40%
Sweden 950K 38%
Switzerland 350K 63%
UK 3.9M 28%
Opening on Thursday are 6 more territories (including New Zealand, South Korea) and another 6 on Friday (including Mexico).
Phillipa Boyens, one of the screenwriters, said the reason they changed Faramir is that he is a static character in the book -- he just is, and doesn't move or grow. She also had a problem with the fact that every other character confronted with the ring, like Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn, Galadriel, etc., is tempted by it, but in the book Faramir just says, "Eh, wouldn't touch if it it were on the side of the road." She thought, rightly or wrongly, that such a stance made him seem more powerful than other characters who clearly had more power than Faramir.
Originally posted by: kami
NEW LINE CINEMA'S THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS POSTS TOWERING OPENING DAY AROUND THE WORLD WITH $42 MILLION
Central Film in Trilogy Garners $26 Million Domestically and
$16 Million Internationally, Breaking Records In Eight Territories.
Film also Receive 2 Golden Globe Nominations for Best Picture and Best Director, Peter Jackson.
Los Angeles, CA, December 19, 2002 - New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the central film in Peter Jackson's epic trilogy, took the global box office by storm on its first day in theaters Wednesday, garnering an estimated $42 million one-day worldwide gross - $26 million domestic and $16 million international - up nearly 45% from last year's one day worldwide gross of $29 million. The film broke all single day records in Denmark and opening day records in seven other international territories, it was announced today by Rolf Mittweg New Line Cinema's president and chief operating officer, worldwide distribution and marketing.
Domestically, the film surpassed the opening day receipts of its predecessor by 44% (last year, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring opened at $18 million). The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers drew moviegoers as early as Tuesday night when fans lined up for sold-out midnight showings at 3,622 theaters. The film is the second highest Wednesday opener ever (behind 1999's Star Wars: The Phantom Menace at $28.5M). Internationally, the film posted a $16 million overall gross, up 45% from last year (Fellowship bowed to an $11 million overall opening day internationally). The film is playing on nearly 12000 screens worldwide, 6633 screens domestic and and 5,000 internationally.
"Seeing increases in major territories speaks to the emerging worldwide phenomenon built around this trilogy," Mittweg said. "This powerful response also illustrates the true universality of Tolkien's themes and the broad reach of Jackson's vision." He adds, "We're astounded at these numbers. For a three-hour film that is central in a trilogy to open this way is energizing and tremendously exciting."
Opening day-and-date in numerous global territories, the film broke all single day records in Denmark, and marked the highest opening day ever in Germany, Austria, Finland, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden and Norway. Further, the film posted increases from last year's opening day of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in all territories, up as high as 98% in Belgium.
Territory Gross Increase
Austria 523K 69%
Belgium 300K 98%
Denmark 830K 66%
Finland 240K 38%
France 1.93M 21%
Germany 3.95M 36%
Greece 218K 51%
Holland 350K 85%
Norway 790K 65%
South Africa 156K 39%
Spain 1.08M 40%
Sweden 950K 38%
Switzerland 350K 63%
UK 3.9M 28%
Opening on Thursday are 6 more territories (including New Zealand, South Korea) and another 6 on Friday (including Mexico).
:disgust:Phillipa Boyens, one of the screenwriters, said the reason they changed Faramir is that he is a static character in the book -- he just is, and doesn't move or grow. She also had a problem with the fact that every other character confronted with the ring, like Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn, Galadriel, etc., is tempted by it, but in the book Faramir just says, "Eh, wouldn't touch if it it were on the side of the road." She thought, rightly or wrongly, that such a stance made him seem more powerful than other characters who clearly had more power than Faramir.
Originally posted by: Czar
:disgust:Phillipa Boyens, one of the screenwriters, said the reason they changed Faramir is that he is a static character in the book -- he just is, and doesn't move or grow. She also had a problem with the fact that every other character confronted with the ring, like Gandalf, Boromir, Aragorn, Galadriel, etc., is tempted by it, but in the book Faramir just says, "Eh, wouldn't touch if it it were on the side of the road." She thought, rightly or wrongly, that such a stance made him seem more powerful than other characters who clearly had more power than Faramir.
How Faramir is in the books makes him special, he doesnt want power like the other characters, he just wants acceptance from his father (if I remember correctly)
That's nonsense and you know it. Just wait until the 3rd movie and see if you still have this theory.Just wanted to add that the change in Faramir also goes towards my theory that Peter Jackson hates humans, and thinks that they are all farking retards.
Originally posted by: whizbang
Well, I guess Fantasy isn't my thing. I went to the midnight showing of FoTR last year. After the movie my friend said, "Did you like it?". I replied that I sort of had a problem with Legolas cuz he only had 7 arrows yet he shot hundreds of Orcs. The guy sitting next to my friend whips around with a disgusted look and says, "That was covered in the book!". So, if they have magic arrows, why can't that they just cast a spell and solve the whole conflict?
This year I went to the midnight showing of Two Towers. What I came away with was that Aragorn always has a 7 day old beard, even though they don't seem to have razors in Middle Earth. Does he have a magic beard? Perhaps this was covered in the book, too. I'd read it to find out but, as I said, Fantasy isn't my thing.
Originally posted by: kami
That's nonsense and you know it. Just wait until the 3rd movie and see if you still have this theory.Just wanted to add that the change in Faramir also goes towards my theory that Peter Jackson hates humans, and thinks that they are all farking retards.
Faramir was one of my top fav characters (along with aragorn, sam, and gollum) so I was sad to see the change but I'll get over it totally after a few more viewings.
One thing I think we should all be thankful for is that PJ and his team DID do this movie. i think any other director/team of writers/producers/special effects team would have just ruined LOTR and Middle-earth beyond repair. Can you imagine a George Lucas version? A Jerry Brucheimer(sp) version? A M Knight Shyamalan version? Christ. I could go on and on. No one else could do this.
They created Middle-earth, they kept the spirit and themes of the story, so bow down to them!!!!
Originally posted by: Dedpuhl
It was a great movie.
I would consider myself to be in the "nearly obsessed" category when it comes to LOTR....and I laughed during the scene with Gollum. If you superfans don't like it, then grab a spoooon and eat my arse!!
Originally posted by: Swag1138
Originally posted by: isildur
In a discussion with one of my friends, I put it like this. Its like when you want a new GI-Joe figure, and your mom buys you a C.O.M.A.N.D.O. figure. The same in function, almost the same in appearance, but completely different from what you wanted. You cant help but be dissapointed.
A better analogy would be this. You have Mortal Kombat on yer GC and you love it. You hear an MK game has come out for the GBA (which you also have) so you run out and buy it. But upon loading the MK game on yer GBA you are surprised and dissappointed that the graphix aren't the same as on yer GC version.
Different media, different styles, different strengths, different weaknesses.
Expecting LotR movies to be exactly like LotR books is more of a fantasy than all of Middle Earth.
A fantastic example of this is original Dune vs. TV movie Dune. Original Dune=okay movie, but deviated from the book thus pissing people off. TV Moive Dune=movie very true to the book, 4 or 5 hours long, boring as hell and sucks @ss.
If it sounds like I'm getting a bit defensive it's probably because I am. It wasn't until I got into film making that I relaized how much of a PITA it is to make a movie from a book. Books and movies are almost completely incompatible story telling devices, and when someone can actually make a good, not great but just good, movie from a book it is a d@mn near amazing feet. And when PJ can make great movies from such a complex series it is something akin to a miracle<sp?> And judging by FotR and tTT I think it's easy to see that PJ has made changes that are in the best interest of the LotR films.
I'd rather have a great film w/deviation than a crappy film w/o it. 'Cause a great film w/o deviation is impossible.
Lethal
Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
Never say "impossible". I think - someday - a screenplay cleverly disguised as a book will make the bestseller lists and make a perfectly adapted movie and video game.I'd rather have a great film w/deviation than a crappy film w/o it. 'Cause a great film w/o deviation is impossible.
Lethal
:Q
And I disagree with your Dune movies analogy/assessment.
Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
Originally posted by: Swag1138
Originally posted by: isildur
In a discussion with one of my friends, I put it like this. Its like when you want a new GI-Joe figure, and your mom buys you a C.O.M.A.N.D.O. figure. The same in function, almost the same in appearance, but completely different from what you wanted. You cant help but be dissapointed.
Different media, different styles, different strengths, different weaknesses.
Expecting LotR movies to be exactly like LotR books is more of a fantasy than all of Middle Earth.
A fantastic example of this is original Dune vs. TV movie Dune. Original Dune=okay movie, but deviated from the book thus pissing people off. TV Moive Dune=movie very true to the book, 4 or 5 hours long, boring as hell and sucks @ss.
Lethal
I know what your saying, and understand it clearly. I dont EXPECT it to be exactly like the books, I know this is impossible. The only problem that I cannot forgive is Faramir, I dont agree with the reasons given for completely changing the character. He was one of my favorite characters in the books, and most people I know who have read the books agree with me on that point. In the movie, however, while I still like Faramir (being that I know how noble his heart really is) people who have never read the books hated him royally.
Perhaps I should hold off judgement until ROTK, and see if PJ can pull it together so that Faramir can show his true character, but it still hurts my enjoyment of TTT. This is my opinion. You cannot change it with explanations about "its better for the movie" because I cannot see how making Faramir into a horses ass is better for the Lord Of The Rings. If PJ can pull it off, then I will once again be all for him, but Im sorry, right now I am unable to forgive what he did to Faramir.
The rest of the movie is amazing, no way to argue that, and hell, even the parts with Faramir, when taken just as the movie, are good. But as an almost lifelong fan of the books, I just cant let it go.
I left the Dune part quoted because I happened to like the TV Dune movie. As well as the original Dune.
Originally posted by: Swag1138
Originally posted by: LethalWolfe
Originally posted by: Swag1138
Originally posted by: isildur
In a discussion with one of my friends, I put it like this. Its like when you want a new GI-Joe figure, and your mom buys you a C.O.M.A.N.D.O. figure. The same in function, almost the same in appearance, but completely different from what you wanted. You cant help but be dissapointed.
Different media, different styles, different strengths, different weaknesses.
Expecting LotR movies to be exactly like LotR books is more of a fantasy than all of Middle Earth.
A fantastic example of this is original Dune vs. TV movie Dune. Original Dune=okay movie, but deviated from the book thus pissing people off. TV Moive Dune=movie very true to the book, 4 or 5 hours long, boring as hell and sucks @ss.
Lethal
I know what your saying, and understand it clearly. I dont EXPECT it to be exactly like the books, I know this is impossible. The only problem that I cannot forgive is Faramir, I dont agree with the reasons given for completely changing the character. He was one of my favorite characters in the books, and most people I know who have read the books agree with me on that point. In the movie, however, while I still like Faramir (being that I know how noble his heart really is) people who have never read the books hated him royally.
Perhaps I should hold off judgement until ROTK, and see if PJ can pull it together so that Faramir can show his true character, but it still hurts my enjoyment of TTT. This is my opinion. You cannot change it with explanations about "its better for the movie" because I cannot see how making Faramir into a horses ass is better for the Lord Of The Rings. If PJ can pull it off, then I will once again be all for him, but Im sorry, right now I am unable to forgive what he did to Faramir.
The rest of the movie is amazing, no way to argue that, and hell, even the parts with Faramir, when taken just as the movie, are good. But as an almost lifelong fan of the books, I just cant let it go.
I left the Dune part quoted because I happened to like the TV Dune movie. As well as the original Dune.
Just wait for another 2yrs or so until the ultimate-uber-complete-trilogy-extended-version-directors-cut comes out. It will be 15hrs of LotR movie maddness.
Not trying to be an opinion changer, just trying to give an eye opener into the evil realms of book->film cinema. Like I said, now that I know how hard it is to make a film from a book I tend to cut the director slack (maybe too much?). But it takes fans like you to keep the directors honest and not put out a crappy retelling.
Lethal
Good point.Originally posted by: Hayabusarider
One of the last things Faramir did was release the three, an act which made his life forfeit. Perhaps we will see a more noble side in ROTK. It could be that with all that happened in this movie, there was no time to develop the character. Think I will withold judgement for now.
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
...Peter Jackson hates humans... Maybe he just knows a lot of Republicans.
Originally posted by: apoppin
I bet 'the Hobbit' gets made eventually to go head to head with the Potter series.
Ill say YAY only if PJ gets it. I think The Hobbit would lend itself far easier to movies than the Lord Of The Rings. Theres so many subplots and little things CRUCIAL to the main plot in LOTR. What is needed for the hobbit? The unexpected party, the trolls in the woods, the goblin caves (where we first meet gollum), the spiders in Mirkwood, the Elves in Mirkwood, getting up to the lonely mountain, and the final battle with Smaug at Dale. We can leave out Beorn for the same reason Tom Bombadil was left out, and while I would LOVE to see the final battle at the Lonely Mountain, It isnt integral to the plot of the story. For LOTR, take that and multiply it tenfold.
I doubt the Hobbit will get made though. Its basicly (and this is coming from an almost lifelong Tolkien fan) just LOTR-Lite, and would probably taken as such by John Q. Public. Unless New Line just really really really wants to do it, and they can convince Peter Jackson to do it.
But they would have to do it soon, before Ian MacKellan goes to his OWN grey havens.