Royale is a smash at the box office

Lady RoseLady Rose London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
Studio claims 007 box office coup

Casino Royale has smashed a Bond box office record, taking more in its first day of release than any previous 007 film, says Columbia Pictures.
The film, which features Daniel Craig's first outing as the super-spy, sold £1.7m of tickets in the UK on Thursday.

The figure is more than twice as much as the previous record-holder, 2002's Die Another Day, took in its first day.

Casino Royale has also been approved by China's censors, and will be the first 007 film to be screened in the country.

Authorities have previously disapproved of the violent and sexual content of the film franchise, reported film industry magazine Variety.

"We are extremely pleased that the film has passed and expect it to be one of the highest-grossing films next year in China," said Li Chow, Sony Pictures' general manager in the country.

The film is expected to hit China's cinemas in January 2007.

Casino Royale is the 21st Bond film, and early reviews have praised Craig's gritty and complex performance in the lead role.

The movie is an adaptation of Ian Fleming's first Bond novel and is one of the few without gadget-maker Q or much-loved secretary Miss Moneypenny.

It opens in 27 countries, including the US and Russia, this weekend.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6157066.stm
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Comments

  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Indeed- that's a pretty good sign, isn't it? Currently listening to Radio 1 and the film is getting constant mentions- even from listeners who are just texting in to say how much they love it. I'd imagine this film will do pretty well.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    That's wonderful (although box office isn't a measure of quality, I hasten to add). I really think the franchise took a gamble and they deserve to have it pay off. Craig says he may do a fourth film (check out the Charlie Rose thread here on AJB).

    I expect CR will have a big weekend here in the States. All the multi-plexes in Northern California appear to be showing it on multiple screens, so no one is expecting a dud.
    They'll be adding my money to the till sometime this afternoon, when I sneak away from work for a look-see. I really can't wait.
  • Red IndianRed Indian BostonPosts: 427MI6 Agent
    edited November 2006
    I have a sneaking suspicion the box office is going to be a lot bigger than they expected. It's currently at 96% on Rottentomatoes! The local press here (Boston Globe, Herald and local news) are all raving. I'm going right after work tonight, I cannot wait...
  • Barry NelsonBarry Nelson ChicagoPosts: 1,508MI6 Agent
    Curious about the box office numbers, the press release states that CR tickets sales were twice as high as DAD. This comparison is based on the value of all tickets sold. Does anyone know how many cinemas CR opened at in comparison to DAD?
  • SpectreIslandSpectreIsland spectreislandPosts: 274MI6 Agent
    Hi Barry here is the USA Screen rundown:
    CR = 3434
    DAD = 3377
    TWINE= 3163
    TND= 2807
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    Hi Barry here is the USA Screen rundown:
    CR = 3434
    DAD = 3377
    TWINE= 3163
    TND= 2807

    I think the record they were talking about was for the U.K. But frankly, if CR only made a fraction of DAD's money, CR would still be a better film. And if CR coming up short in the box office sweepstakes means Eon goes back to doing DADs, that would a be kind of a pyhrric victory for CR's detractors, IMO
  • sampile2005sampile2005 Posts: 56MI6 Agent
    I bet it is!! That has got to be one of the best films ever made (And I am not being bias). Admitadly at first it did not hold a Bond feel to it (1. because it was a new face, and 2. no bond themes) but from the point where it began I loved the film... but those last 2 minutes made that film feel like us Bond fans were "back home"...
  • darenhatdarenhat The Old PuebloPosts: 2,029Quartermasters
    Taking in the monetary conversion, 1.7m pounds doesn't seem like much to me for an opening day. I figured a UK record would be more around 3 mil for one day. Don't worry, Lady Rose, I don't doubt your numbers (I'm still in a spin trying to figure out the cost of that sticky bun Bond bought). I guess I won't really have a good grasp of how well the film is doing until I see a US weekend figure.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    darenhat wrote:
    Taking in the monetary conversion, 1.7m pounds doesn't seem like much to me for an opening day. I figured a UK record would be more around 3 mil for one day.

    No idea what the record is, but no Bond film has made more in one day in the UK.
  • Johnny DangerJohnny Danger Savannah, GA USAPosts: 60MI6 Agent
    Well, I guess this means the CraigNotBond boycott didn't work out too well.:))

    I bet most of them will be going to see it, if they haven't already... probably in disguise, so they won't be recognized by each other!{[]

    :p
  • Mr MartiniMr Martini That nice house in the sky.Posts: 2,698MI6 Agent
    I know the showing i went to was packed. I don't know how many the theater holds, but I bet only 20 to 30 seats were empty. I'm guessing the theater holds 100 people. I saw the movie on a Friday afternoon, early.
    Some people would complain even if you hang them with a new rope
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,651MI6 Agent
    Well, I guess this means the CraigNotBond boycott didn't work out too well.:))

    I bet most of them will be going to see it, if they haven't already... probably in disguise, so they won't be recognized by each other!{[]

    :p

    Judging by your maturity level, are you sure you're not one of them?
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • Johnny DangerJohnny Danger Savannah, GA USAPosts: 60MI6 Agent
    Quite sure. :p:p
  • A7ceA7ce Birmingham, EnglandPosts: 655MI6 Agent
    edited November 2006
    darenhat wrote:
    Taking in the monetary conversion, 1.7m pounds doesn't seem like much to me for an opening day.

    But u gotta take into account that it opened on a Thursday in the UK, which isn't a traditionally heavy viewing cinema day, as opposed to Fri, Sat and Sundays. This is when the bulk of the viewing and true weekend figures will occur.
  • JohmssJohmss Posts: 274MI6 Agent
    edited November 2006
    Well, I guess this means the CraigNotBond boycott didn't work out too well.:))

    I bet most of them will be going to see it, if they haven't already... probably in disguise, so they won't be recognized by each other!{[]

    :p

    They might be working in US Boycott, and not much in UK.

    And, as someone here said, but in a different way, it doesn`t matter the box office, maybe in a few months CR fever will slow and be (as DAD) a Box Office hit but a canon or stylisho or whatever kind of failiure.

    To this Day, In Colombia, i have no single idea in how many theatres will open (like this numbers add something) and the press, well, hasn`t talk a lot, but they all say that is different, and a good movie indeed...

    EDIT: CnB did a bad move... why supporting a Tuxedo movie (happy feet) instead good movies (stranger than fiction) or uncommon ( Fast Food Nation)
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Casno Royale is No.1 at the US Box office after making $14,750,000 (BoxOfficeMojo: http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jamesbond21.htm ) or $14,400,000 (ShowBIZdata: http://www.showbizdata.com/ )

    So all the worst predictions are showing little sign of coming true. This, I think, is two million less than DAD but two more than TWINE at the same point in time.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    Word of mouth is going to be a factor in the days/weeks to come; I have a very good feeling about CR's overall success :)
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    I saw the movie at a 1:00 p.m. showing, and it was very well attended by a very broad spectrum of people. In contrast, the crowd going to Happy Feet were mostly mothers with toddlers. Since they won't be bringing the kiddies to the 8:00 shows, I think it's safe to say that Bond will win the weekend.

    . . .But I've been wrong before. 8-)
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • PredatorPredator Posts: 790Chief of Staff
    Well, no surprise that the 6.30pm showing I went to see was full, but I was more interested by the number of clearly under 12s there.

    The film is really not for a pre-teen audience IMO.

    While not a round of applause at the end, the general tone of the audience was an interested "hubbub". We shall see over the coming weeks the effect of word-of-mouth.
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    Hardyboy wrote:
    I saw the movie at a 1:00 p.m. showing, and it was very well attended by a very broad spectrum of people. In contrast, the crowd going to Happy Feet were mostly mothers with toddlers. Since they won't be bringing the kiddies to the 8:00 shows, I think it's safe to say that Bond will win the weekend.

    . . .But I've been wrong before. 8-)

    That works both ways of course in that CR doesn't aim for the young market as perhaps DAD did (although its certificate wasn't that different I suppose). Plus CR has a longer running time which logically means less showings, therefore less tickets available. But then again, there are more people over 12 (CR's market) than there are under 12 (Happy Feet's market).

    Personally I see no challenge from Happy Feet here- there's only one movie that's being talked about everywhere at the moment.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    I just got back from a second viewing (after being turned away for an earlier showing at a multiplex that has CR on two screens); you could tell the audience loved it. They applauded the final credits. Kids here in the States are off all next week for Thanksgiving. I think it's going to be big, big hit.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    edited November 2006
    highhopes wrote:
    I just got back from a second viewing (after being turned away for an earlier showing at a multiplex that has CR on two screens); you could tell the audience loved it. They applauded the final credits. Kids here in the States are off all next week for Thanksgiving. I think it's going to be big, big hit.

    Just got back from my second look, as well; picked up a few things I missed the first time round, but I remain absolutely entranced by Craig's portrayal---and I keep coming back to the torture scene, wherein he completely assumes ownership of the character, IMO:
    That moment, where Bond and Le Chiffre actually share a laugh: Le Chiffre says, "You're really not going to tell me, are you?"

    Bond laughs, and shakes his head, 'no.'

    Pure gold :007)
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • acenavigator1acenavigator1 Posts: 14MI6 Agent
    I went to a 5pm viewing on Thursday, day of opening in the UK and was surprised how busy it was- I tried to go on Saturday and take my dad, as he took me to my first Bond movie ( too many life times ago) - and they were all sold out, so am going to have to wait until mid week to go again, can I really wait that long!!
  • Lady RoseLady Rose London,UKPosts: 2,667MI6 Agent
    Predator wrote:
    Well, no surprise that the 6.30pm showing I went to see was full, but I was more interested by the number of clearly under 12s there.

    The film is really not for a pre-teen audience IMO.

    Totally agree with you. My daughter is 9 and I wouldn't take her to see it. ( Apart from the violence she wouldn't understand it anyway :)) )
    I think they were very lucky to have a 12a cert.

    The one thing that has given me great pleasure, is that for a franchise that is apparently on its last legs and is constantly having its relevance challenged, it isn't doing too bad ;)
  • MarJilMarJil Posts: 13MI6 Agent
    Lady Rose wrote:
    Predator wrote:
    Well, no surprise that the 6.30pm showing I went to see was full, but I was more interested by the number of clearly under 12s there.

    The film is really not for a pre-teen audience IMO.


    Totally agree with you. My daughter is 9 and I wouldn't take her to see it. ( Apart from the violence she wouldn't understand it anyway :)) )
    I think they were very lucky to have a 12a cert.

    The one thing that has given me great pleasure, is that for a franchise that is apparently on its last legs and is constantly having its relevance challenged, it isn't doing too bad ;)

    My son is 11 and wants to go to it, but I told him that my wife and I had to see it first and use our discretion whether he could see it after we saw it. I let my wife decide whether it was appropriate for him because, since I'd be the one to take him to it (hey, a father has to sacrifice for their kids sometimes) I'd be a little biased in his favor, but she thought it was a little too mature for an 11 year old. Don't worry, I'll get over it. ;)
  • spectre7spectre7 LondonPosts: 118MI6 Agent
    If he's 11 years old then yes he can see it. It's a James Bond movie, it isn't going to turn your son into a raving lunatic.
  • PredatorPredator Posts: 790Chief of Staff
    spectre7 wrote:
    If he's 11 years old then yes he can see it. It's a James Bond movie, it isn't going to turn your son into a raving lunatic.

    Possibly, but the 12a rating is being stretched by Casino Royale. I think it's great that Eon are stretching it, but my nephews (8 and just 11) went to see it today - the 11 year old should like it, but some of the scenes are extreme (for a Bond/12a film).

    Obviously parents and guardians must make the choice themselves - Mrs Marjil seems a sensible woman! Don't forget that by the DVD release, he should be older and wiser!
  • caractacus pottscaractacus potts Orbital communicator, level 10Posts: 3,907MI6 Agent
    there were a lot of kiddies in the small town theatre wher I saw it and they were bored after the airport scene
    running up and down the stairs to go play in the hallway, and talking throughout the film, I had to shush a couple of the brats in front of me

    parents will be taking their little ones to see it cuz they dont follow all the behind-the-scens stuff like we geeks do, never even heard of Ian Fleming, and assume a new Bond film will be a predictable installment of cartoony action sequences with lame jokes and doubleentendres thatll go over juniors head

    I wish I could have shared a theatre with a couple of hundred serious Bondfans, much like those ubergeekish Seattle openings for Lord Of The Rings I remember so well, but thats what I get for moving out to farmcountry
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    It's hard to say about kids and CR. I don't know what I would do (my kid's grown).
    It is certainly more realistically violent and bloody than other Bond films, but the context of being in an adventure story tends to mute it. Kids can and have seen far, far worse at the movies. I have. The murder of Sollozzo and the police captain by Michael Corleone in "The Godfather" still freaks me out because of the realism, although it's far from the bloodiest thing I've seen.
  • SolarisSolaris Blackpool, UKPosts: 308MI6 Agent
    I always thought the blood was slightly the wrong colour in the Godfather, it seemed too orange so I was never phased by it.

    I think its really up to what your kid is like and what they have seen before. I was there today and there must have been at least 10 kids that were definitly too young to be there. one must have been about six, and I feel that is pointless, because firstly it would most likely freak them out, and secondly they wouldn't get the story.

    9 through to 12 I think it varies depending of the child.
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