The Dark Knight... can it beat Spiderman box office?

[elgatonegro]

THE Dark Knight is predicted to overtake Spider-Man as the highest grossing comic book film.

Ecstatic reviews, particularly for the late Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker, has box office expectations sky high.

US box office pundits predict the film will make more than $100 million in its first three days after it opens tomorrow.

Spider-Man made $413 million and is No. 7 on the all-time US box office chart.

In Australia The Dark Knight made $2,277,786 on its first day of opening on Wednesday on 472 screens.

Hoyts Cinemas marketing manager, Sara Hoogendoorn, said many sessions in Australia sold out on Wednesday.

"It is great to see that The Dark Knight did enjoy a very strong opening; especially given it opened on a Wednesday - and Victoria was out of school holidays," she said.

The takings were not an opening day record - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix made $4 million on the day it opened last year - but The Dark Knight did beat Spider-Man 3's opening day figure of $1.85 million last year and Casino Royale's first day of $1.42 million in 2006.


just to add...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Batman's joust with the Joker has set another box office record.

Stoked by fan fever over the manic performance of the late Heath Ledger as the Joker, "The Dark Knight" set a one-day box office record with $66.4 million on opening day, Warner Bros. head of distribution Dan Fellman said Saturday.

The movie's Friday haul surpassed the previous record of $59.8 million set last year by "Spider-Man 3." "The Dark Knight" might break the opening-weekend record of $151.1 million, also held by "Spider-Man 3."

"I think they're in jeopardy," Fellman said of the "Spider-Man 3" records.

"The Dark Knight" began with a record $18.5 million from midnight screenings, topping the previous high of $16.9 million for "Star Wars: Episode III — The Revenge of the Sith."

The opening day grosses for "The Dark Knight" far exceeded the full weekend haul of its predecessor, "Batman Begins," which took in $48.7 million in its first three days in 2005.

Reviews were excellent for director Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins," but they were stellar for his "Dark Knight."

"We've really never seen anything like this," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. "The death of a fine actor taken in his prime, a legendary performance, and a movie that lives up to all the hype. That all combined to create these record-breaking numbers."

Buzz had been high for the Batman sequel well before Ledger died of an accidental prescription-drug overdose in January. Trailers last fall revealing Ledger's demented Joker, with crooked clown makeup, turned up the heat even more. The critical acclaim over his performance that built from advance screenings left fans in a frenzy.

"It's a combination of things. Certainly, that's a great part of it, but I think this movie's gross was partly because of the reviews it received and the incredible buzz and word of mouth that preceded it with our early screenings," Fellman said. "And the success and quality of the last one, `Batman Begins,' delivered by Chris Nolan just set the tone for the opening of this movie."

"The Dark Knight" reunites Christian Bale as Batman, the vigilante crime-fighter tormented by personal tragedy, and co-stars Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Gary Oldman. Maggie Gyllenhaal also stars.

The film spins an epic crime duel as Ledger's Joker orchestrates a reign of terror on the city of Gotham aimed to spread chaos and break down the restraint that keeps Batman on the right side of the law.

While critics are taking the film seriously enough to suggest Ledger could be in line for an Academy Award nomination, the action-packed movie also delivers as pure summer movie escapism.

"If you're worried about mortgage payments and gas prices, when you're sitting in `The Dark Knight' for two and a half hours, you're not thinking about any of that stuff," Dergarabedian said.






IMHO, still Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney are the best BATMAN actors w/respect in the previous Batman movies. And also Jack Nickolson is the famous JOKER himself and Danny DeVito as a Penguin.


- Michael Keaton

- Val Kilmer

- George Clooney

- Jack Nickolson

- Danny DeVito

[SUPERDOC]

I cannot believe you mentioned Clooney as Batman...I love Clooney, and I love Batman...but what a horrible outcome that was...

Anyway...now the biggest opening weekend of all time!...The Dark Night.

[moby33]

Personally, I think Keaton was one of the biggest mistakes. I liked Keaton a lot in Mr. Mom & Gung Ho...but that CHEESY, wanna-be 'tough-guy' lowered voice he used in the Batman movies was just painful to watch (and listen). I can't believe people thought that was good...no way, not IMO.

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by moby33

Personally, I think Keaton was one of the biggest mistakes. I liked Keaton a lot in Mr. Mom & Gung Ho...but that CHEESY, wanna-be 'tough-guy' lowered voice he used in the Batman movies was just painful to watch (and listen). I can't believe people thought that was good...no way, not IMO.

X2!!!!!

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by moby33

Personally, I think Keaton was one of the biggest mistakes. I liked Keaton a lot in Mr. Mom & Gung Ho...but that CHEESY, wanna-be 'tough-guy' lowered voice he used in the Batman movies was just painful to watch (and listen). I can't believe people thought that was good...no way, not IMO.

He'll always be "Johnny Dangerously" to me.

[JRWoOo]

I just saw it at an IMAX showing and was disappointed... Maybe because Batman begins was so good or maybe because Nicholson defined the Joker role but it seemed to be missing something... I’ am optimistic about the next one though, I think an interesting and engaging third movie would make this one somewhat better to me in the long run.

[moby33]

Originally Posted by JRWoOo

I just saw it at an IMAX showing and was disappointed... Maybe because Batman begins was so good or maybe because Nicholson defined the Joker role but it seemed to be missing something... I’ am optimistic about the next one though, I think an interesting and engaging third movie would make this one somewhat better to me in the long run.

Finally...a review that isn't gushing over everything about it...I knew one had to exist. I'm almost glad to hear this movie might be 'mortal'...I usually don't like to see movies like this until they've been in the theaters a few weeks in order to weed out all the 'bandwagon' fans that would NEVER dream of saying anything bad about THEIR movie and see if the hype holds up.

With the cost of movies these days, I like to make sure it's worth it...usually I just save my $ for it to hit HBO or Showtime. Having said all that (and even considering your review), so far it does seem to be living up to the hype.

I even heard Kevin Smith ('Silent Bob' to all you Clerks/Mallrats fans out there) raving about the movie this morning on KROQ.

[fear]

The Dark Knight is nothing like the other superhero movies out there. Audiences who want great comic book entertainment watch Iron Man or the Hulk. Dark Knight's about a guy who faces his alter egos (yep, more than one), and the agony he undergoes. It's a morallity opera. Batman sees the world in black and white, good v. evil. Should he forego his worldview and embrace different shades of gray to solve problems knowing that that will negatively affect him?

As I've mentioned in the "Dark Knight Impressions thread," the movie's not for everyone. It's an evolution of Batman Begins, but nothing like the first movie. The movie forces the audience to think, to concentrate on the movie. It's not a take it all in ballistic adventure. It's nothing like to saccharine laced Batman movies of the 90s. Some people may even think that that Dark Knight's boring.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by fear

The Dark Knight is nothing like the other superhero movies out there. Audiences who want great comic book entertainment watch Iron Man or the Hulk. Dark Knight's about a guy who faces his alter egos (yep, more than one), and the agony he undergoes. It's a morallity opera. Batman sees the world in black and white, good v. evil. Should he forego his worldview and embrace different shades of gray to solve problems knowing that that will negatively affect him?

As I've mentioned in the "Dark Knight Impressions thread," the movie's not for everyone. It's an evolution of Batman Begins, but nothing like the first movie. The movie forces the audience to think, to concentrate on the movie. It's not a take it all in ballistic adventure. It's nothing like to saccharine laced Batman movies of the 90s. Some people may even think that that Dark Knight's boring.

Man, you should have been a movie critic!! You do write well.....very well.

Thanks for all the briefs.....it's opened today in NZ nation wide. Shall try and catch it this weekend.....if I can get the tickets!!

[Trurolexer]

Batman is one of famous superhero ever made after Superman of course.
Already have loyal Fans, so yes...This movie can beat Spider-man movie.

[fear]

Originally Posted by Trurolexer

Batman is one of famous superhero ever made after Superman of course.
Already have loyal Fans, so yes...This movie can beat Spider-man movie.

The 1st 2 Spider Man movies were great! Both deserve the overwhelming audience reception. The same with Iron Man, awesome movie.

As with the Marvel characters, Kane/DC's Batman has a huge following. Frank Miller's Batman defined the character.

But because the movie's not the "typical" super hero movie a whole bunch of people may just skip it. Word of mouth a powerful thing.

That said, Dark Knights an awesome movie!

[Jimbits76]

WTF is going on here????????????

Clooney batman. Nicholson Joker?????????? Jeez Victor Fries!!!!!

The first Batman flick had one stand out star and one star alone. Anton Furst. Furst's set designs were truly amazing. The retrofitted nightmare streets of the gothic/cyberpunk Gotham city were truly beautiful. Micheal Keaton appeared lost as Batman/Bruce Wayne amidst a studio wrangled and meddled mess of a picture which veered from inky blacks to a full on Nicholson/Palance Ham baguette!!!!!! JN had some funny lines as the Joker but the plot was ridiculous. Joker Cosmetics??? Give me a break!!!! Years of history of the finest bad guy in comics and they fluffed it by making him Psycho Max Factor???? The less said about the Balsawood performance of a Ms Kim Basinger the better. This movie was an overhyped and overpaid juggernaut that succeeded more on marketing than from being a decent movie.

Batman Returns. Now you're talking!!!! This could possibly be the most beautiful summer rollercoater movie ever made. A true arthouse blockbuster, it retains the ebon heart set out in the first picture but expands on the flimsy first plot to give the characters just enough edge to oversee what could be construed as yet another tangled web of screenwriting. DeVito and Pfeiffer excel in their roles, immersing you in their characterisation and even Keaton gets a little more meat on the bone yet only really comes to life as Bruce Wayne, his Batman remains underplayed and unfocused.
Christopher Walken inherits the medal of hammy honour for his OTT role as Max Shrek but as a catalyst to the plot points he serves his purpose and raises a few smiles. Great set pieces, bat gadgets and a fabulous score by Elfman. This is Tim Buton with the blinkers off and the bit between his teeth. This sequel is visually stunning, however the saddest fact of this movie is the fact that Anton Furst turned down the role of production designer and then tragically took his own life. Bo Welch did an admirable job but the master and star of the first movie was a true great.

Batman Forever. Lurid and grotesque. I'm not just talking about Tommy Lee Jones and his neon Zebra Stripe suits and purple make up. Kilmer is a wet fish as both Batman and Bruce Wayne. Chris O Donnell is embarrasing and annoying, Jim Carrey raises a couple of smiles and Tommy Lee Jones and Nicole Kidman should know better. Joel Schumacher directs a neon drenched vomitous mass of a mistake in which the only plus points are Micheal Gough as Alfred and the U2 theme track. Truly Awful but not half as bad as what was to follow.

Batman And Robin. "Worst Movie Ever". I cannot bring myself to pass judgement on this train wreck of a flick!!!! Anybody who could even attempt to find one shining example of hope in this futile vanity project should be repeatedly subjecting to 'The Oak's' dire-logue of dreadfully inane cold puns....I need a wash just thinking about this garbage.

Batman Begins. The perfect antidote to the Schumacher years. Bale does fantastic work in the role and Cillian Murphy provides a creepy, disconcerting Red Herring of a bad guy. This has the celebrity guest star supporting cast ethos of the other films yet it does it with class. This flick bought a certain something to the superhero genre movie and we still feel it's effects on fantasy cinema today. This movie proved that comic books can be glossy crime pictures with enough intelligence and heart to not turn off the popcorn munching masses. It also gave us a truly terrifying batman. A predator in the night, this batman strikes out at criminals, tearing them into the shadows and striking fear into the hearts of those who mean to cause harm. The retooling of the batsuit, bat gadgets and the batmobile are also given a contemporary, tangible feel. Post terrorism and homelands security etc, the batman of Gotham crosses into the real world. Best screen Batman yet!

Batman: The Dark Knight. Okay, hands up I haven't seen it yet but from what I've read Nolan has followed threads put down in the acclaimed graphic novels The Killing Joke and The Long Halloween. Judging the clips, the trailers and the reviews, this movie has a different feel to all of it's predecessors. A glossy, blue filtered Micheal Mann digital feel, comparisons to both Heat and The Godfather Part II seem justified at the moment.
Ledger looks to have nailed the role of Joker and Eckhart seems to resemble a true white knight in his portrayal of Harvey Dent. As for his playing of Two Face, that remains to be seen and I applaud Warners for shrouding it in secrecy.
This could be the picture us comic geeks have been waiting for. The duality of the role seems to be a strong thread, the psychosis of those who hide behind an alias when fighting for good or mayhem. Like Two face's mcguffin, these guys are just different sides of the same coin. A thin line that can be easily crossed between hope and despair.

I look forward to seeing this picture and will surely bore you all to tears with my thoughts on it.

Sorry the post is a little long, I could ramble on forever about this kind of thing...don't even get me started on Spidey!!!!!!!!!!!

J

[fear]

"WTF is going on here???????????? Clooney batman. Nicholson Joker?????????? Jeez Victor Fries!!!!!"


But tell us what you really think?

Awful, awful movies. I agree.

You'll like the new Batman uniform, more neck mobility. No more of that weird Keatonesque stiff neck CQC.

[nko51]

The Dark Knight will be the biggest hit, the joker made the movie.

[JJ Irani]

Great analytical post, Jim boy!!

[jdc]

Go see it guys it is very good

[jdc]

Nice post Jim Nearly as long as the film itself
You are going to love the dark feel to it

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by jdc

Go see it guys it is very good

Saturday evening here, Martin. Might try and take in the film tomorrow afternoon!!

[jdc]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Saturday evening here, Martin. Might try and take in the film tomorrow afternoon!!

Do go JJ, I went with my 17 year old son & we both loved it, gets you hooked from the start, so make sure you are stocked up with popcorn and drinks!

[Jimbits76]

Great analytical post, Jim boy!!

Cheers pal, I truly, truly love film. I have written the odd screenplay and essay which did get me noticed by a guy working for the British Film Industry. I was asked to submit three treatments and bottled it, hobby becoming day job etc. Years later I put down some feelings and experience in a script and planned to coproduce with my best friend but women and mortgages reared their heads and my filmmaking bug remains unfulfilled so far. You wouldn't guess from my typos and grammar on the forum but I still write, perpetually ready to begin my novel, only I continue to wait for the right wisdom, experience and honesty. Maybe one day...

Nice post Jim Nearly as long as the film itself

There's always one and it's usually Martin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

J

[Trurolexer]

Nice analysis J!!!
But the Batman movie ever made is Batman Return (Pinguin is very unreal and disgusting look IMO). Only Michelle look so HOT with that black suit...Meouwwwww...

[moby33]

Wife & I went last night...although probably one of the best Batman movies made, I would have to admit I'm just not jumping up & down.

That has more to do w/ me than the movie. I realized (well, I always knew) I'm just not really into superhero movies of this type...would rather watch an unconventional, non-mainstream comedy like The Big Lebowski or The Royal Tenenbaums or if I'm going to go action/drama then I'll take stuff like The Hunt For Red October, Heat and any of the good Bond flicks.

But, the movie definitely has great acting, cool action scenes and a believable plot...so in the end I can't hate it, I just can't rave about it because I'm obviously not a true Batman fan. If you like Batman & superhero stuff, you're probably going to LOVE this movie.

Cheers.

[SUPERDOC]

Originally Posted by jdc

Do go JJ, I went with my 17 year old son & we both loved it, gets you hooked from the start, so make sure you are stocked up with popcorn and drinks!

the movie is about 2 and a half hours...so go easy on the drinks....

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by Jimbits76

...You wouldn't guess from my typos and grammar on the forum but I still write, perpetually ready to begin my novel, only I continue to wait for the right wisdom, experience and honesty. Maybe one day...
J

Don't wait. You can always edit it again later.