The silver-screen version of HBO TV series “Sex and the City” shapes up as a theatrical phenomenon with strong pre-release buzz. The stylish, young-adult contemporary drama has a foundation of an HBO TV series, which is more tame than the theatrical release May 30 domestically from Warner Bros. Pictures. The movie is rated R-restricted. * Luxury brands are a natural fit; … [Read more...] about ‘Sex & City’ Ignites Pop Culture, Promos
merchandise
Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
20th Century Fox reported paid a $550,000 licensing fee to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington for use of its name in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.” The 2009 family-adventure film, which starts production shortly, already lays claim to a U.S. theatrical release a year from now on May 22, 2009 and its predecessor was a sleeper hit grossing $251 … [Read more...] about Smithsonian Museum Paid by Fox for Movie Role
Flop ‘Racer’ Delivers Dim Glow
“Speed Racer,” the cinema film adaptation of a 1980s TV series, pressed all the correct marketing buttons in preparing for premiere, though it didn’t connect with audiences. The movie that cost $120 million to make premiered May 9 from Warner Bros. Pictures (UPDATE ultimately finished with a disappointing $44 million in boxoffice domestically, falling far short of … [Read more...] about Flop ‘Racer’ Delivers Dim Glow
Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
When “Jurassic Park” approached theatrical release in June 1993, distributor Universal Pictures set a new high in licensed merchandise, lining up 1,000 different categories of products locked up by 100 companies. Director Steven Spielberg and a then lofty $70 million production with cutting edge special effects let the studio make this proposition: the film would … [Read more...] about Original ‘Jurassic’ Spins Off 1,000 Products
‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz
In 1983, the eagerly awaited third film of the “Star Wars” cinema saga shapes up as much a potential blockbuster in merchandising and promotional tie-ins as it is expected to be at the box office. Two major packaged goods marketers – Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble – and a fast-food chain – Burger King – plan national promotions tied to the $35 million production of “Star … [Read more...] about ‘Jedi’ Unleashes Merchandise Blitz