Biggest film this summer?

My bet is War of the Worlds.

I mean Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg.

A link to the Super Bowl TV spot below.

- EXTERNAL LINK -

I am a Spielberg fan myself. But if this film is just full of FX and turns out to be another Minority Report then I dont think Steven is going anywhere with this film.

It seems to me that when Speilberg gave that 11th Oscar to Peter Jackson at the 2004 Academy Awards. He sort of wanted 'in' in the BIG gross films like the LOTR Trilogy. He is a great director but to announce he wants a part of the BIG gross industry? hmmm I dont know.

John,

Yeah, but "The Terminal" was mediocre, and "Catch Me If You Can" is a movie of diminishing returns. He puts off or drops making movies with potential (like "Vengeance" and "Memoirs of a Geisha") for "War of the Worlds"? Not a good sign.

Eddie

"Spielberg has nothing left to prove, so he's going to make videogame movies for the rest of his life." --Eddie

Not to be a party pooper, but we should remember that Spielberg's last two films were "Catch Me If You Can" and "The Terminal," not exactly videogame movies, and he's got "Vengeance" coming up about the 1972 Olympic kidnappings. I think he's still in the ballpark, even if the videogame movies pay the bills.

John

Chris,

As a Spielberg fan, I'm actually leery of "War of the Worlds". The poster is just awful, and prior to starting production, Spielberg said that he wanted to make the "biggest" movie ever in terms of budget and probably box-office gross. This leads me to believe that the movie will be filled with inane bombast.

I agree with you--Spielberg needs to make a low-budget movie to prove that he's still got it. Then again, as Warren says, Spielberg has nothing left to prove, so he's going to make videogame movies for the rest of his life.

Eddie

I think between Fantastic Four and Batman Begins, Batman has a better cjance of success. FF has good potential, the trailer looks good, but so did The Hulk. As far as the best, and most anticipated movie of the summer.... Star Wars: Episode III takes it by far!

There's also Fantastic 4 and Batman Begins to consider.

But the key question is "Which one will suck even worse than the other one?"

And in that contest, let's just say that until somebody unseats him, Lucas is still the reigning champ.

War of the Worlds is a good bet, but you have to keep in mind about that little Episode III that Lucas is going to release in May. With the hype between both of them, it's hard to say who will come out on top.

But it will be like another "Minority Report", because guess who's staring in it? Not to mention, the modern version of "War of the Worlds" has alrady been done, it was called "Independence Day". Unless they have some twist to add to the original story, then I don't see how the movie will do so well. Nevertheless, add Cruise and Speilberg to the bill and people will hoard the theatres by the thousands. And I must ask, will this be the frist time that Speilberg has done a remake?

Tim (Rubbing the Cash-Cows' belly for good luck)

My money is definitely on Batman Begins. The public is ready for a Christopher Nolan take on the Batman franchise. Get away from all that silly Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones, Val Kilmer crap and let's tell a story. I have very high hopes for this film.

Spielberg hasn't lost it. He's simply doing what he's good at; making big movies with big names that are downright entertaining. Although you may be able to argue against the lasting value of his latest films, they have all been very entertaining to watch if you put your brain on screen saver. I doubt that War of the Worlds will be as good as Independence Day. As far as disaster flicks go, Emmerich's epic is tops in my book. Underdeveloped characters and an insanely idiotic climax you say? Screw that, that movie rocked.

Biggest or most expensive is certainly a far cry from best.

I've grown quite cynical of Lucas, but I'm still looking forward to Episode III.

I'm looking forward to "War of the Worlds" and I think it'll be closer in quality to "Minority Report" rather than "A.I."

"Fantastic Four" has huge potential to be a big stinker. Why? Well, Doctor Doom goes up into space and gains the power to turn his skin into armor and shoot lightning bolts. I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt. They had Spider-Man shoot webs from his wrists rather than building a device and that turned out fine. But, somehow I don't think this change will fly.

I think "Batman Begins" will be good. Great director, great cast.

Speaking of great director and great cast. How about "Sin City"? My head almost exploded when I saw that trailer. Images totally lifted right out of the comic. This is definitely the one I'm looking forward to the most.

Also hoping "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" will be good ones too.

hmmm.. thats wierd, I am hearing $160,000,000 so far in the making of King Kong.

There may be conflicting reports on "King Kong." The Internet Movie Database reports an estimated cost (so far) of $110,000,000.

John

King Kong is over 200 million...20 million of which is Jackson's salary.

$128,000,000 is estimated so far for "War of the Worlds." Of course, that only accounts for Cruise's salary.

John

So how much did they actually use to make War of the Worlds? I remember rumors before production that they wanted it to be the biggest movie ever with an astronomical budget.

William,

I agree with you on the "Sin City" movie. It looks like a very interesting film with such a stylistic approach the comic book genre. I, too, am looking forward to this film. It looks very creative and original.

Tim

Thank god I'm not the only one. I have never been a huge fan of Robert Rodriguez films. I love his book "Rebel Without a Crew" and the fact that he's a very hands on developer in the spirit of Hitchcock and Leone before him, but the El Mariachi and Spy Kids series' were never that entertaining in my eyes.

When I first saw the trailer for Sin City I was completely blown away. Looks like Dick Tracy and the original Scarface on acid. The whole trailer looks like an oil painting in motion set to music. Wonderful. I will definitely be there opening night.

Of the movies I'm apprised of for this year, I'd wager that it will be something along these lines for the top six:

1. War Of The Worlds
2. Star Wars Episode III
3. Batman Begins
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
5. Constantine
6. Robots

- Josh :)

This is how I predict 2005 to turn out as far as domestic gross ranking...
1. Batman Begins
I mean, seriously, this movie looks like it could be the coolest movie ever.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
DISNEY behind an EPIC FANTASY (the rave right now), added to the fact that pretty much everyone read this book at some point (or had it read to them).
3. War of the Worlds
This just looks fun and cool and creepy.
4. Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
People feel obligated to finish the story. Plus fun special effects.
5. King Kong
Sure it has Peter Jackson, but it's a monster movie...
6. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
If it gets that high. It doesn't really even have a chance at making more than $225 million.

Well damn...what's the point of making a movie if it doesn't make over 225 million?!?!?! They should stop this Harry Potter thing altogether. HORRIBLE investment! :) Seriously, that's just crazy talk king.

No, I'm just saying that each one makes less and less. I didn't say they should stop making Harry Potter movies. They're the mediocre fodder that hold me over for good movies.

Yeah I know that's what you meant. I tend to be hyperbolic. You'll get used to it. :)