Disney errs on “Prince Caspian” release date
May 29, 2008
Walt Disney Co CEO Robert Iger said Wednesday that “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” is underperforming at the box office because of competition from “Iron Man” and “Indiana Jones.”
Since its May 16 release, the “Narnia” sequel has earned $99.6 million in North America, according to Box Office Mojo. Its 2005 predecessor, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” had earned $122.7 million in the same period. It went on to make date $291.7 million.
Disney originally had “Caspian” set for last Christmas, but delayed it in deference to “The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep,” a fantasy vying for the same audience.
The studio might also have been taking into account the feelings of Walden Media, its production partner on “Narnia” and the production company behind “Water Horse.” That film, distributed by Sony, earned just $40 million domestically.
Iger, speaking at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions Conference in New York, said “Prince Caspian” is a better movie than the first installment but because it was released between a couple of the year’s biggest hits, audiences are overlooking it.
“Prince Caspian” was released less than two weeks after “Iron Man” and just six days before “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” Both those pictures are headed into the $300 million area.
- From Yahoo
‘Narnia’ seizes box office crown
May 18, 2008
Walt Disney sequel “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” had no problem reigning over Friday’s box office, grossing $19.3 million as it opened in 3,929 theaters. “Caspian’s” opening day haul came in slightly lower than industry expectations and behind first Narnia installment, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” which pulled in $23 million on its first day and $65.6 million for its final three-day in December 2005. Both pics are co-productions with Walden Media. - From Variety
‘Prince Caspian’ pushes ‘Iron Man’ off throne
May 18, 2008
“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” dethroned “Iron Man” as ruler at the box office, pulling down $56.6 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
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The Walt Disney Co.’s action sequel took in less domestically in its opening weekend than “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe,” which sold $65.6 million in North America in its debut weekend in December 2005. “Caspian” also raked in $20.7 million overseas.
But Disney expects the PG-rated movie, based on the C.S. Lewis fantasy series, to ride high through the coming Memorial Day weekend. The first “Narnia” tale grossed $745 million worldwide over its theatrical run.
“This is a film that we think is going to play all summer long and it’s got nothing but school holidays in front of it,” said Mark Zoradi, president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Group.
- From AP
‘Prince Caspian’ to reign at box office
May 16, 2008
Disney’s sequel to 2005 hit “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” bows at 3,929 playdates domestically with no films opening wide against it. Fantasy lit adaptation also begins rolling out in a dozen international territories, but the Mouse is holding off on most key foreign markets until next month. Disney’s tentpole has six days to play before “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” opens day-and-date Thursday on the eve of the Memorial Day holiday frame. - From Variety
New Narnia Prince Caspian Poster
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