"Oh, dear brother, how unfortunate…"
A girl with short golden-brown hair walked into the hotel suite's living room holding a newspaper, mocking David Ellison without a hint of sympathy. "You've lost again!"
David Ellison was focused on his breakfast and didn't even lift his head. "Isn't this the kind of scenario Hollywood has always been happy to see?"
He actually knew very well that the traditional powers in Hollywood, represented by Duke Rosenberg and Warner Bros., would never welcome newcomers like him. The two sides were naturally opposed.
Seemingly ignoring the trace of helplessness and frustration in David Ellison's tone, Megan Ellison sat down on the sofa, flipped open the newspaper, and said with a smirk, "Let me read you the weekend box office report."
Without caring about David Ellison's reaction, she deliberately began reading with exaggerated intonation.
"The film The Dark Knight, which set the most brilliant opening record in North American film history, has once again created a miracle this week. Not only did it top the weekend box office again, but its total domestic box office surpassed $350 million within ten days of release."
"This weekend, The Dark Knight rode the wave of victory, taking in $89.76 million and securing the weekend's number one spot without suspense. Its cumulative North American box office has reached $375.66 million, once again breaking historical records. Previously, the record was held by Pirates of the Caribbean 2, which took sixteen days to break $300 million."
"According to current trends, The Dark Knight might break the $400 million mark in thirteen days, setting yet another record. The current record is held by Shrek 2, which took thirty-three days to reach $400 million!"
"I Am Legend, starring Will Smith, also performed impressively. But under Batman's dark shadow, it could only open in second place at the box office. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi film, produced by Sky Film Studio and distributed by Buena Vista Pictures, premiered last Friday. It grossed $73.89 million over the weekend, exceeding the distributor's expectations…"
At this point, Megan Ellison looked up at David Ellison. His expression was a little grim.
Not yet satisfied with her wicked sense of humor, she flipped the page and read another editorial.
"The Dark Knight's ten-day box office approaches $400 million. Titanic's box office myth may soon be broken…"
Upon hearing this, David Ellison finally reacted. He put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and said, "This film wants to hit $600 million in North America? Surpass Titanic? It probably won't even match Duke Rosenberg's The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King!"
David Ellison wasn't alone in this opinion. Some media outlets shared the same view.
While The Dark Knight's box office was skyrocketing—nearing the $400 million threshold with ease—many outlets were hyping that Duke's film was sure to surpass Titanic and set a new box office miracle.
But the media always follows a certain pattern: for every voice praising something, there's always another ready to tear it down.
The Washington Post expressed skepticism about The Dark Knight's future performance on its entertainment front page.
"Since its release, The Dark Knight has continuously broken box office records—best opening weekend, fastest to break $300 million, most successful superhero film. Some are beginning to speculate whether The Dark Knight could dethrone the unparalleled box office champion Titanic from its perch atop North American grosses."
"There does seem to be some possibility. The Dark Knight has achieved nearly two-thirds of Titanic's domestic gross within just ten days. Given a few more weeks, the remaining one-third may soon be made up. That would make The Dark Knight the new domestic box office king."
"Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. Everyone wants to see The Dark Knight surpass Titanic. A new total box office champion born. But Duke Rosenberg's film surpassing the film he invested in? That's impossible."
"Ten years ago, in 1997, Titanic was released. But since then, the film industry has undergone dramatic changes. Back then, a film could earn tens of millions several weeks after release. Some excellent movies relied on strong word of mouth to remain in theaters as long as possible—sometimes half a year or longer."
"But that model has drastically changed. Today, studios and audiences alike have lost their patience. The focus is now on a film's opening weekend. We've become used to seeing blockbusters earn one-third or more of their total gross in just the first three days. And Titanic? Its opening weekend gross didn't even account for 10% of its final total."
"Just look at the highest-grossing films of 2007. Every film that made over $100 million stayed in theaters for less than six months. The year's champion Iron Man opened in early May and ended its run in October…"
"The modern commercial strategy is to release films in as many theaters as possible, rake in as much money as possible in the first two weeks, and then launch the DVD before public interest fades."
"Titanic held the number one spot for fifteen consecutive weekends. Nowadays? Most big productions release their DVDs around the fifteenth week. And during the summer season, blockbusters are released every weekend. The Dark Knight is facing extremely fierce competition especially with Spider-Man 3 opening this weekend. It's no easy task for any film to hold its ground."
"When Titanic was released, it faced almost no competition of the same caliber in its first few months. That's unimaginable for The Dark Knight."
"Duke Rosenberg's film has been the number one movie in North America for two consecutive weeks, but its second weekend box office dropped by more than 50%. That's normal. This trend will continue, and next week's box office champion will undoubtedly be Spider-Man 3."
"The Dark Knight's current box office is approaching $400 million. Its total might reach $550 million, surpassing the historical third-place record The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' $521.32 million. But attempting to challenge the second place Return of the King and first place Titanic is out of the question. The film industry simply isn't what it used to be."
"There's also one factor we can't ignore. Young girls watched Titanic over and over again, injecting the film with limitless vitality and box office power. And The Dark Knight? Frankly, it's just another formulaic deal. Its theme is too dark and heavy. It's far from the kind of film that can touch people deeply or move hearts. It won't gain anything from teenage girls."
"So what can dethrone the reigning monarch of cinema? Inflation! At least for the next five years, no film will surpass Titanic's box office record. When will Titanic's record be broken? When ticket prices have risen enough."
"This is the rushed and restless commercial operation of 21st-century cinema."
In the study of the eye-shaped villa, Tina Fey put down the Washington Post in her hand and asked, "The Dark Knight really has no hope of breaking Titanic's box office record?"
Putting down the documents in his hands, Duke shook his head at Tina Fey. "Very, very unlikely. In my view, basically impossible."
Think back to those days those girls kept buying tickets just to watch Leonardo DiCaprio, going to the theater again and again.
Even if he left this world, Heath Ledger couldn't bring about the same effect.
Boys may like a character or a movie and buy tickets to see it twice or even three times, but any more than that is unrealistic. On the other hand, girls are relatively less rational in this regard.
How many girls would be fond of the Joker or the heavy-hearted Batman?
For a film to achieve the box office heights of Titanic or The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in North America, it needs a huge number of repeat viewers. But The Dark Knight has neither Jack nor Legolas.
Of course, that's only part of the reason. The real key lies in the change in distribution strategy.
Though DVDs are slowly declining, they're still a major revenue source for Hollywood studios. For the sake of DVD sales, neither Duke nor Warner Bros. would let The Dark Knight stay in theaters for a whole year and release the DVD only after the hype dies down.
Forget whether it can break Titanic's record—what matters more: the vain title of number one or two in North American box office, or the actual revenue of a film?
For someone like Duke, the choice is all too easy.
"However, there is one point in the article I disagree with," Duke said, pointing at the newspaper. "No film can surpass Titanic's box office in the next five years?"
He slowly shook his head.
This report made some correct analyses in certain areas, but in others, it missed the mark.
For example, the idea that inflation and rising ticket prices are needed to surpass Titanic is very accurate. But it completely ignores the development of emerging screening technologies in North America—3D screen growth is astonishing!
3D ticket prices are twice those of regular 2D versions, and IMAX is triple.
As long as there's a sufficient foundation of 3D screens and IMAX theaters, the film Duke is investing in can realistically achieve that breakthrough.
Moreover, there may be more films in the future that surpass it.
Although current 3D technology has major flaws, no one can deny the thrilling visual impact it brings. And Duke also plans to join the 3D production lineup, using the technology in his next film.