Studio chief planning to capitalise on ‘Crazy’ vibes
LOS ANGELES: Warner Bros is planning to capitalise on the positive vibes generated by the surprise blockbuster romantic comedy ‘Crazy Rich Asians’.
At least one sequel is in the works, two if that also reigns at the box office.
Warner Bros chairman Toby Emmerich, in comments to the media, noted that ‘ Crazy Rich Asians’ is part of a series of beloved novels by Kevin Kwan, charting life and love among Singapore’s elite, and the studio would like to field at least one more follow-up.
“There are two more books,” said Emmerich. “We certainly think that there will be more movies because both books can stand on their own as fi lms. The fi lmmakers and the rest of the talent are excited to continue the franchise.”
For Warner Bros, it hasn’t been a typical summer.
It has long dominated the box office with the likes of “The Dark Knight,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” and “Wonder Woman.”
This year, “Ocean’s 8,” “The Meg,” and “Crazy Rich Asians” all combined to put together a memorable summer. Even though “Tag” and “Life of the Party” didn’t set records, both fi lms should end up in the black.
What’s particularly impressive is that an era where franchises are the name of the game, Warner Bros. pulled it off by relying heavily on original properties. Only “Ocean’s 8” is part of a pre- existing series, and the fi lm is a spin- off from the George Clooney heist adventures of a decade ago.
“The business is increasingly challenging, but we need to continue to take calculated risks — making original movies is part of that,” Emmerich told Variety. “Movies where if a fi lmmaker hits the bullseye, it can surprise and overperform. As always, nothing beats great execution.”
Emmerich, who assumed his new role at Warner Bros. in January, says he’s not just happy with the summer. He believes that the studio has cobbled together an impressive fi rst half to 2018, though he does cop to one big misstep. “Paddington 2,” which the studio bought from the Weinstein Company last autumn when the indie studio was on the verge of bankruptcy, scored some of the best reviews of the year. Its glowing critical notices didn’t translate into ticket sales. When it opened last winter, “Paddington 2” eked out US$ 40.4 million in the US. It did better overseas, making US$ 186.4 million, but Warner Bros. didn’t control those rights.
“If I had to do it over again I think we would have tried to convince our production partners to push back our release so we could have had more time to market the film to the domestic audience,” said Emmerich.
The business is increasingly challenging, but we need to continue to take calculated risks — making original movies is part of that. Movies where if a filmmaker hits the bullseye, it can surprise and overperform. As always, nothing beats great execution. Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros chairman