In the following ti, despite Attack of the Clones receiving harsh criticism from both audiences and the dia, it still managed to maintain its dominance over The Two Towers, which had been out for four weeks, thanks to the influence of Star Wars and its one-week lead at the box office. Both films, except for the morial Day weekend, saw daily box office earnings drop below $10 million in the following weekdays.
The Two Towers, in particular, saw its box office drop dramatically due to the cooling interest from the explosive audience demand, with daily earnings during weekdays falling to below $5 million.
As June’s first weekend arrived, although there was a huge gap in weekend box office numbers between the two films, Attack of the Clones clinched the second weekend box office championship with an overwhelming advantage, yet both films displayed sharply contrasting trends in their box office drops.
The forr’s audience reviews were average, with a CinemaScore audience rating of A- and only a 71% approval rate from theatergoers, which directly led to a massive 51% drop in its second weekend earnings, making $39.2 million.
anwhile, The Two Towers earned just $13.56 million in the sa weekend, which, although less than half of Attack of the Clones’ earnings, was a 40% drop compared to the previous weekend’s $22.6 million, showing resilience in its box office performance after five weekends of release.
Let’s not forget that Attack of the Clones had only been out for two weekends, while The Two Towers was already in its fifth.
Many had hoped that the Star Wars series could end Duke’s dominance in the sumr box office in recent years, but the box office trends of both films clearly proved that their final North Arican and global box office totals would never be on the sa level.
Even people outside the film industry could tell that Attack of the Clones would never be able to challenge The Two Towers at the box office.
Duke and Ivanka’s vacation in Australia was coming to an end. The two t up with Tina Fey, who had flown in from New Zealand, and they returned to Los Angeles together. However, when they left Los Angeles International Airport, they were surrounded by reporters and paparazzi since they were not using a private jet.
These crazy people even shouted at them to strike poses showing affection for the caras.
Unfortunately, neither Duke nor Ivanka were interested. They were nothing like the typical Hollywood couples; although their relationship was destined to be public, they had no interest in putting on a show for the caras. Most people knew that the so-called "public displays of affection" by couples in the dia were rely for show.
Duke had no need to increase his exposure this way. Even though he spent much of his ti in front of the cara as a director, he was not interested in actively publicizing his private life. Ivanka, on the other hand, was sowhat averse to becoming a celebrity and focused more on her business ventures.
Although in the past, Duke didn’t go out of his way to avoid the dia, he wasn’t under any obligation to cooperate with them.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Ivanka began preparations for her company’s move. She ultimately chose Burbank as the company’s new location, and with Duke’s help, they leased a small office building from Warner Bros. to serve as the company’s permanent base.
Duke, however, had his own work to focus on and couldn’t offer much assistance. The visual effects for Return of the King were nearing completion, and he needed to refine the rough cut into the final version he desired.
anwhile, the lackluster box office performance of Attack of the Clones, which had only shone for two weeks, was overshadowed by the newly released Spider-Man. This Marvel superhero movie, produced and distributed by Sony Columbia Pictures, despite harsh criticism from many critics, truly demonstrated the power of superhero films.
In its opening weekend, Spider-Man made $114.84 million, breaking the North Arican box office record that Duke had just set, becoming the second film ever to gross over $100 million in a North Arican opening weekend.
However, even with the huge response, the buzz wasn’t as strong as when The Two Towers had its release. The reasoning was simple: the second film to break the $100 million mark could never garner as much attention as the first.
But the impact on The Two Towers was not that significant. After more than a month in theaters, the film’s screening frequency and theater count had already dropped, and despite being a big-budget production, it couldn’t compete with a newly released blockbuster under such circumstances.
Spider-Man’s success benefited not only Sony Columbia Pictures but also Marvel Comics. The imdiate popularity of Spider-Man and the X-n made Marvel superheroes the center of attention, drawing the gaze of countless movie companies to Marvel’s headquarters in New York. However, with Duke’s investnt, Marvel was not lacking in funds, especially with Duke’s universe-building plans, which filled Marvel’s executives with ambition to create superhero films under the Marvel brand.
Though the plans were still in the planning phase, Marvel had no intention of selling its characters anymore, as they regretted giving up Spider-Man and X-n.
Riding on the success of Spider-Man, Marvel Studios officially announced its formation in mid-June. To be closer to Hollywood, Marvel chose Burbank as the location for the subsidiary, and with Duke’s support, Kevin Feige beca the CEO of Marvel Studios.
"The purpose of Marvel establishing a movie studio is simple," Kevin Feige said at the press conference, addressing the crowd of reporters. "To make movies based on Marvel superheroes. Our initial plan is to launch our first superhero film within 3 to 4 years."
"Can you tell us about Marvel’s specific plans?" a reporter imdiately asked. "What’s the first superhero movie?"
"Of course, we have plans," Kevin Feige responded.
After a brief pause, another reporter asked, "Isn’t it too risky for Marvel to venture into the movie industry? After all, the movie industry is different from the comic book industry."
"We’re aware of the risks, and we’ve developed a solid plan for this," Feige said. He then skillfully redirected the topic to Duke. "The entire plan cos from Director Rosenberg, who will also oversee and implent the film projects. With Director Rosenberg involved, Marvel is confident in the success of its superhero movies."
Reporters imdiately turned their attention to Duke, but he chose to answer questions from an old acquaintance.
Sarah from The Los Angeles Tis asked a question they had already discussed, "Can you reveal what Marvel’s first superhero movie will be?"
For Marvel Studios, a new company, the success or failure of the first superhero movie was extrely important. Therefore, there was no surprise when Duke revealed the movie’s title: "Tony Stark, Iron Man!"
"When will this movie be released?" a reporter asked.
"We need three to four years to prepare!" Duke answered.
Marvel Studios was a new company, and with such an extensive plan, there was no rush to get things off the ground. Any hasty decision would be made by amateurs.
"Earlier, Mr. Feige ntioned that Marvel has a series of plans. What exactly are they?" a reporter asked.
"You’ll see when Iron Man hits theaters..."
After the press conference, there was a routine cocktail reception held at the nearby Annabelle Hotel.
The hotel was not only close to Marvel Studios’ headquarters but also just a little over a mile away from the Warner Bros. building. Doug Walter, Warner Bros.’ incoming CEO, also attended the event.
Although Marvel and Warner’s DC were in a competitive yet cooperative relationship, they had been fierce rivals for decades.
"Duke, I don’t know what to say," Doug Walter said with a hint of helplessness, facing Marvel’s largest shareholder and Warner Brothers’ largest individual shareholder. "DC’s Superman and Batman films are waiting for redemption, yet you, as a shareholder, are teaming up with Marvel."
Although the words weren’t heavy, Duke still sensed so discontent in them.
This was normal. Anyone about to beco CEO would likely have so opinions.
"Doug, there are things I originally planned to discuss with you after you officially take over as CEO next month..."
Just as he was about to continue, soone ca over to greet them. Duke had no choice but to stop his conversation with Doug Walter and exchanged pleasantries with the person. After the person was sent off, when Duke turned back, he saw that Doug Walter had asked his companion to stop the person from approaching him. Clearly, he couldn’t wait any longer.
Originally, Duke had planned to wait until next month, after Doug Walter officially took over as CEO, to discuss DC matters in depth. But now that Doug’s position was confird, they might as well discuss it now.
However, this wasn’t the right place for a conversation.
Nearby, Tina Fey had already called the hotel and requested a eting room. Duke and Doug Walter left the banquet hall and went directly into the eting room.
"Duke, do you have thoughts on DC’s superheroes?"
As soon as they sat down, Doug Walter couldn’t wait to ask. "Our superhero films have been in decline for so long that people have forgotten the glory they once created."
Before the new millennium, only Superman and Batman had achieved massive success in superhero films. However, both series faltered by the fourth installnt. For the sake of the overall series, Warner Brothers was eventually forced to put them on hold.
"Ever since the failure of Batman and Robin, I’ve been thinking about superhero films."
Upon hearing Duke’s words, Doug Walter’s eyes imdiately brightened. "So, you’re interested in directing a superhero film?"
In his eyes, if anyone could save DC’s comic films, it was Duke.
"Doug, the developnt of special effects technology is advancing rapidly. It’s becoming easier to showcase superheroes’ abilities on the big screen, and..."
Duke said a few simple things, then continued, "I believe that in the coming years, superhero films will beco the mainstream in the market. Warner Brothers and DC should have a long-term, systematic plan for this!"
...
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