novelraw Chapter 621: First Day Box Office Waterloo? Mockery and Slapping Faces
Chapter 621: First Day Box Office Waterloo? Mockery and Slapping Faces
[Chapter 621: First Day Box Office Waterloo? Mockery and Slapping Faces]
On the morning of December 19, the vast majority of the media and Hollywood insiders learned the midnight box office data for Titanic.
While marvelling at such high box office numbers, everyone couldn't help but ask a Soul-searching question: "Could the box office of Titanic really reach the incredible $1.8 billion as Linton predicted?"
Media outlets under Universal Group and Linton Media Group naturally began to widely publicize this news immediately.
On the morning entertainment news of MCA Television Network and UPN Television Network, footage of queues at various theaters for the midnight screenings and news of the film breaking midnight box office records appeared frequently.
Other newspapers were already starting to think about how to report this news in tonight's evening editions.
Information spread even more efficiently and in real-time on the internet. Soon, news that Titanic had raked in $10.71 million in midnight box office, setting a new midnight record, dominated the homepages of the Yahoo portal and other electronic media.
On various forums, the number of people supporting Linton began to grow regarding the topic of whether his box office prediction for Titanic was just bragging.
The booming midnight box office was undoubtedly heartening news, allowing everyone to see the powerful market appeal of Titanic.
However, midnight box office numbers can also be somewhat deceptive, especially for a movie starring an idol star with a massive fan base like Linton; the data inevitably carries a certain level of bias.
Those loyal fans often swarm into theaters at the first opportunity to contribute to their idol's box office.
Not only do they contribute themselves, but they also actively help with promotion, even dragging friends along to the cinema.
Especially after Denise took over as the manager of the Linton Fan Club Operations Department, the cohesion of fan clubs everywhere has been unprecedentedly strengthened. For this midnight release, fan clubs across the country organized viewing events.
In fact, over 85% of this midnight box office did indeed come from the contributions of Linton's fans.
The true box office test would depend on whether the movie could rely on its own quality to attract a wider general audience and generate better word-of-mouth after its official opening today.
However, Linton himself had absolute confidence in this, as he felt this version of Titanic was of even higher quality than the version starring Leonardo DiCaprio in his previous life.
Moreover, his own box office draw was not something the Leonardo DiCaprio of that time could compare to. In his previous life, Leonardo DiCaprio only became a top global superstar after starring in Titanic; before that, he was at most a near-second-tier Hollywood male star.
December 19, Friday.
Titanic officially opened in North America on a massive scale of 4,300 theaters and 20,000 screens.
Linton and Kate Winslet, accompanied by Universal distribution staff, flew to New York on his private jet to begin their promotional roadshow journey.
At the same time, the James Cameron took Billy Zane and other actors to fly to Las Vegas to conduct the promotional roadshow along another route.
Linton's group continued to use the same roadshow model as they did for Mission: Impossible, not requesting media interviews at hotels or contacting local TV stations.
Because the promotion for Titanic in the media was already sufficient, they went directly to several representative local theaters to meet with audiences.
Just like last time, when Linton arrived at the Hilton Hotel to settle in, Jennifer Aniston was already waiting for him, completely ignoring the noise of the surrounding paparazzi.
Subsequently, followed by the paparazzi, she accompanied Linton's group to the Ziegfeld Theatre to promote Titanic.
At 1:43 PM, in Hall 6, the credits for Titanic appeared and the lights came up. As the audience was about to stand, a group of people entered the small stage below the screen, while a crowd of reporters swarmed through the theater doors. The host shouted,
"Please welcome the stars of Titanic, Linton and Kate Winslet, here to meet everyone. And welcome sweetheart Jennifer..."
...Fortunately, with the experience from Mission: Impossible, the reporters and audience members at this Q&A session, while still very interested in his relationship with Jennifer, didn't let it dominate everything. Questions about the movie and questions about his scandals were basically split fifty-fifty.
"Linton, are you and Jennifer dating?"
"Jennifer, will you appear in Linton's movies in the future?"
"Kate, what are your thoughts on Jennifer joining you guys?"
"Linton, why was the director so heartless as to let you die in the movie?"
"Linton, did you really build a giant ship exactly like the historical Titanic?"
"Kate, what were your feelings at that moment when you watched Jack helplessly swallowed by the cold Atlantic Ocean right before your eyes?"
...However, Jennifer and Winslet didn't avoid the questions at all, openly stating that Jennifer was a fan and good friend of Linton, and that helping a good friend promote a movie was perfectly normal behavior, while loudly speaking up for the film.
"Titanic is the greatest movie I have ever seen. I think everyone, especially girls, should come to the theater to see it. It's not just a great romance; it's also about life, dignity, and the brilliance of humanity."
...This statement made Linton look at her in a new light. He just didn't know if these were her own heartfelt words or a script her agent had written for her.
Next, they visited three more theaters. This was necessary, as they had to look after each of the four major theater chains in the United States.
By the time they finally left the Roof Cinema, it was already past 10 PM.
Jennifer Aniston also found an opportunity to avoid the paparazzi and quietly get into Linton's car to return with him to the Hilton Hotel.
Finally, much to Kate Winslet's reluctance, Jennifer linked arms with Linton on the other side and grandly walked into Linton's executive suite together.
Soon, a sweet and cheerful song began to play... Three hours later, the first stage of the game ended.
Jennifer and Kate lay limply on either side of Linton. "Honey, you're so heartless, not coming to see me for so long."
"baby, I couldn't help it. I've really been too busy lately."
"Then when your movie promotion is over, I'll invite Mariah Carey to Los Angeles to see you, okay?"
"Sure, just call ahead of time."
Kate was a bit unhappy at first, but now hearing Jennifer plead for Linton's affection like a neglected wife, she felt much luckier than her.
The mockery she originally wanted to direct at Jennifer seemed impossible to say now. She even began to feel a bit of sympathy for Jennifer, thinking that perhaps she could step back a bit in the upcoming battle and give Jennifer a little more sunshine.
"Jennifer, how long has it been since you and Linton saw each other?"
"It's already been over two months."
"Then for the next battle, you take the lead, and I'll assist."
"Kate, you really are a A good person."
"What's this? You're actually discussing tactics right in front of me? Is it even useful?"
Jennifer said, "Honey, you are obviously the most powerful, but aren't you nervous at all about the box office for Titanic?"
"What's there to be nervous about? I've done everything I should do. Being nervous is useless."
"True. You're so popular, plus Titanic is so good, the box office probably won't be low. It seems you're quite confident."
"Pretty much. It shouldn't be low. But it's about time; yesterday's box office should be almost tallied up."
...Just then, the phone by the bed rang. Linton picked it up, and Levitt's nervous voice came through.
"Boss, yesterday's box office numbers are out, and the situation isn't quite ideal."
"How much? Just say it."
"Titanic took in a total of $24.57 million in North America yesterday. Adding the $10.71 million from the midnight show, the total is $35.28 million."
"$35.28 million? Isn't that quite good? What about the attendance rate?"
"Boss, the attendance rate is very high. After all, yesterday was Friday, a workday, but the average daytime attendance was as high as 39%. The evening attendance was incredible, reaching 87%."
"Then what are you worried about?"
"Boss, a first-day box office of $35.28 million is indeed high. For any other movie, it would be a super successful box office, but this is Titanic starring you!"
"And you previously predicted a global box office goal of $1.8 billion for this movie, which would far exceed the record set by Mission: Impossible last year."
"But now the first-day box office is $13.78 million less than the $49.06 million first-day box office of Mission: Impossible. Could something have gone wrong?"
"Don't worry, this box office data is within my expectations. You have to think of it this way: Mission: Impossible was only 100 minutes long, while Titanic is 194 minutes long."
"Although our opening scale for Titanic is larger than Mission: Impossible, a cinema running from 10 AM to midnight can easily show Mission: Impossible eight times, but can only show Titanic four times, yet the ticket price is the same $5 for both."
"Tell me, is it possible for the first-day box office to exceed Mission: Impossible? Actually, having these numbers is already quite good."
"It really is unfair. We shouldn't have given the James Cameron such broad authority back then. He ended up editing the movie to be so long, and now the box office is seriously affected."
"No, if Titanic weren't this long, the story wouldn't be complete."
"But what about the box office now? You told all the media that the global box office would break $1.8 billion."
"Don't worry. Have you forgotten that I had you negotiate the profit sharing for this movie with the theater chains separately?"
"Boss, are you saying this movie will have long-term box office endurance?"
"Of course. Actually, whether it's independence day or Mission: Impossible, they are essentially commercial entertainment films, like a commercial fast-food meal. Everyone watches them with great excitement and awe, but after watching, there isn't much to think about, and attention is soon diverted by other movies. Plus, the audience is mainly teenagers."
"But Titanic is different. After watching it, the audience will experience joy and sorrow along with the movie; there's a lot to think about, and it will touch the audience's Soul. After watching, the ratio of people coming back for a second or third viewing will be very high, and the audience won't be limited to teenagers; it will involve every level of society."
"You don't need to worry about the box office. Have patience. Our goal will definitely be achieved."
"Boss, I understand. But I'm worried that other media might have some nasty reports today, especially the media outlets under the other Hollywood giants. They will definitely use the fact that the first-day box office is not as good as Mission: Impossible to carry out a massive negative publicity campaign, and even mock you."
"It's fine, let them talk. Just control our own media outlets. We will use the final facts to slap their faces back."
...After he hung up the phone, Kate and Jennifer, who had been eavesdropping and heard that the first-day box office was not as good as Mission: Impossible, were also very nervous, hugging him tightly from both sides.
Kate said softly, "Honey, it's okay. Even if the box office isn't ideal, you are still the greatest superstar."
Jennifer also said in a slightly coquettish way, "Honey, don't worry about the box office. No matter what, you are the best man in my heart."
Their somewhat off-base consolation made Linton not know whether to laugh or cry, but he also felt a wave of warmth. He reached out his hands, pulled them tightly into his arms, and gave each of them a kiss.
"Don't worry, the box office for Titanic will not fail. Didn't you just hear what I said to Levitt? $35.28 million isn't a failure; it's a victory."
"The reason it's only $35.28 million is because of the movie's length and market capacity limits, not because of the quality of the film."
"The box office stamina of this movie will exceed your imagination. The goal of $1.8 billion in global box office will definitely be achieved."
Kate and Jennifer looked at each other, both feeling that Linton was just being stubborn and trying to save face, but they were smart enough not to expose him, instead using practical actions to offer him comfort.
The two of them wrapped themselves around him from both sides and gave him sweet kisses.
A new game continued, and the cheerful, sweet singing rose again, not ceasing all night... Sure enough, the next day, the media completely changed their tune from yesterday's praise for Titanic, and reports about the Titanic box office Waterloo were everywhere.
From the internet to TV stations, from radio to newspapers, except for the two media groups under Linton, all other media used exaggerated tones to report on the Titanic first-day box office being far behind that of Mission: Impossible, mocking it to their heart's content.
They all reached the conclusion that relative to the massive investment cost, the Titanic box office was bound to fail, and Linton would also face a Waterloo in his life.
Even the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, two of the three major newspapers in the United States, joined in the reporting with great fanfare.
The Washington Post's front-page headline: "Dying Before the Battle is Won: Titanic is Destined to Suffer the Same Fate as History, Sinking Just as It Sets Sail."
The headline of the Los Angeles Times was also very representative: "Titanic's First-Day Box Office a Disaster at Only $35.28 Million; Linton's Bragging Blown Apart, Face Slapped as $1.8 Billion Box Office Becomes an Empty Dream."
...The media is like this: on one hand, they are keen on the 'god-making movement,' but they are even more keen on the 'god-destroying movement,' because that is the easiest way to attract public attention and gain traffic.
On various internet forums, posts about the Titanic box office failure were everywhere.
Among them, the topic of whether Linton's box office prediction for Titanic was just big talk was pinned to the top again, but this time, netizens were almost unanimously of the opinion that he was bragging or just hyping it up.
Even though Linton's fans and the water army led by Bella worked hard to post, they seemed like a drop in the bucket in the face of the massive number of internet users.
*****
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