EDDIE THE EAGLE : Promotion and Box Office

[jo]

Eddie the Eagle is likely not going to be promoted like a blockbuster but it may be counting on positive word of mouth ( which had already started, after its small premiere at BNAT17 and the release of its trailer) plus any residual goodwill from Matthew Vaughn's last movie which did $ 414 million from worldwide box office figures ( Kingsman:Secret Service, also with Taron Egerton) and Matthew's reputation (but only as a producer here)... plus the worldwide popularity of Hugh Jackman.

Here is the first prediction for box office results --

pro.boxoffice.com/statistics/long_term_predictions

Eddie the Eagle $7,000,000 opening weekend/ $20,000,000 domestic gross

Check out the link for the rest of the predictions.


It is going to compete basically with Gods of Egypt ( a lowkey blockbuster, which suffered negative responses to its first trailer) which is being released on the same weekend. Gods of Egypt is being predicted for an opening weekend of $ 14.5 million and domestic gross of $ 34 million, although the site already predicts negative word of mouth after the opening weekend.

The predictions for the USA market ( which is going to get a release date - Feb 26 - that is way ahead of most foreign markets) are modest. It will likely do well in the UK and maybe Australia? Not sure about the rest of the foreign markets which did very well for Kingsman ( mainly in China/South Korea because Kingsman is an action movie...and in the UK because it is a British film with a British theme). As the movie is not regarded as a major film project, it is being released over a wide range of dates worldwide, although the USA/domestic release date is quite further ahead of all other release dates. Fox is releasing the movie worldwide, except for the UK where it will be released by Lionsgate.

Will Hugh be promoting the movie? Maybe only for a premiere in the USA and the UK? I don't think there will be much media junkets for this one. although I would like to see him in at least one or two talk shows ( Jimmy Fallon? Kelly and Michael?).

Hopefully, the advance word on its inspiring theme and excellent filmmaking points will give us a surprise hit!


Jo

[jo]

IMDB has similar box office predictions for both EDDIE THE EAGLE and GODS OF EGYPT --

www.imdb.com/list/ls006791948/

30.Eddie the Eagle (2016)
The story of Great Britain's first ski jumper to enter the Winter Olympics.

Director: Dexter Fletcher

Stars: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Rune Temte

“ Opening Weekend Estimate: $8 Million
Final Box Office Estimate: $25 Million ” - officefan01




31.Gods of Egypt (2016)
A common thief joins a mythical god on a quest through Egypt.

Director: Alex Proyas

Stars: Gerard Butler, Rufus Sewell, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Thwaites
 

“ Opening Weekend Estimate: $10 Million
Final Box Office Estimate: $25 Million ” - officefan01

Slightly better predictions for EDDIE ( compared to the first prediction above) but still within the same modest range.


Jo

[jo]

A third forecast ( from Box Office Frontier) lists expected box office strength of movies to be released on Feb 26 --

boxofficefrontier.wordpress.com/early-box-office-forecast/2016-box-office-forecast/

FEBRUARY
February is pretty much a wild card this time around, but there are definitely some enticing offers in stall. Hail, Caesar!, for example, sees George Clooney, Josh Brolin and the Coen Brothers team up, which could prove profitable, and who can possibly forget Deadpool is around the corner? Zoolander 2 will pick up some of the slack as well, but don’t expect to see February 2016 top 2015, since that involves beating Fifty Shades of Grey and Kingsman (and Spongebob!)

February 26th 2016

-Eddie the Eagle-
Estimates: $10 million- $41 million end gross


-Gods of Egypt-
Estimates: $18 million- $49 million end gross


-Triple 9-
Estimates: $12 million- $35 million end gross


-The Witch-
Estimates: $16 million- $40 million end gross

Interesting that while the opening weekend prediction is lowest for EDDIE, it is expected as the one with the highest multiple ( 4.1 x opening weekend) and second in rank in terms of total domestic gross!

Perhaps a better promo campaign before opening weekend might help it better...and then let word of mouth take over?

Jo

[jo]

Thanks to Jackman's Landing, this is the expected international release dates for EDDIE THE EAGLE --

www.facebook.com/JackmansLanding/photos/a.404651206279159.94721.388778624533084/953038901440384/?type=3&theater



The original reset date was APRIL 1, even for the USA/Canada. But the USA/Canada date was reset again to February 26 ( we speculated on this in an earlier thread, as to possible reasons...perhaps to get a schedule that does not have very strong competition from before or right after opening date for EDDIE?). Btw, Canada is never announced separately because its release dates always coincide with the USA, hence the term "North American" market.

The UK ( distributed by Lionsgate, compared to all other dates which will be distributed by FOX) will open it according to the original reset date of April 1. The UK is not included in the list, as it is probably exclusive to the FOX distribution list.

Most overseas release dates are clustered around the UK release date of APRIL 1 ( meaning the same or a week or so before or after April 1) while a number will open it on February 26 or close to it.

I suspect that many overseas markets had already set their opening dates when the main reset date of April 1 was announced by FOX and cannot just reschedule it to the new date of Feb 26 because of fixed screen commitments. As expected, some countries will open it late ( Japan and even Italy/France/Spain as they probably need more time to get the dubbing/subtitles ready?). The big question mark is if this will be released in China. Kingsman, which was a high-octane action movie from Vaughn and Egerton, did $ 75 million in China.

At least, it is going to have a worldwide release! Hopefully, word of mouth (and box office results from the USA) will lead the box office trends for the overseas markets later on!

Jo

[jo]

While EDDIE did not make Variety's Top 44 Movies to see in 2016, it lands on EOnline's list of 2016 top 93 movies to anticipate

www.eonline.com/news/727059/here-are-the-93-movies-we-can-t-wait-to-see-in-2016

FEBRUARY

Hail, Caesar is an all-star ensemble that includes George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Jonah Hill and even Dolph Lundgren…Jane Austen meets The Walking Dead in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…Ryan Reynolds is the NSFW title superhero in Deadpool…Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson and Alison Brie tackle the dating life in How to Be Single… Get ready to strike a pose with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson again in Zoolander No. 2…Hugh Jackman trains Great Britain's first ski jumper to compete in the Olympics in Eddie the Eagle…Kate Winslet is a glamorous Russian mobster in Triple 9 who forces a group of crooked cops and criminals to pull off their biggest heist… London Has Fallen is the sequel to Olympus Has Fallen with Gerard Butler trying to stop a terrorist attack during the funeral of the British Prime Minister…What happens in Afghanistan doesn't stay in Afghanistan when Tina Fey plays a real life journalist covering the war in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Of the 5 movies due for release on February 26, only EDDIE THE EAGLE and TRIPLE 9 ( with Kate Winslet) are on the EOnline list! Not one of the 5 makes it to the Variety list ( only Deadpool and Hail Caesar are on the Variety list for February).


Thankfully, there are less people who probably read VARIETY compared to EOnline


Jo

[jo]

If Hugh and Taron ever get together in a talk show to promote EDDIE THE EAGLE, it would be such a treat to see them performing a musical number together!

Did you know that Taron, who graduated from RADA ( the foremost acting school in Great Britain), won the 2011 Student Performer of the Year sponsored by the Stephen Sondheim Society held for students at RADA?

sondheim.org/student-competition/2011-2/

...and “May As Well And Why Not” from Craig Adams’ and Nona Sheppard’s Therese Raquin was given a well-crafted and suitably arrogant delivery by Taron Egerton (RADA) as the devious Laurent planning his seduction of Therese...




There can, of course, be only one winner, and the outright prize and title of The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2011 was awarded to Taron Egerton, the Welsh-speaking second-year RADA student who shone in his delivery of “Giants in the Sky” from Into the Woods, drawing out the character of an excited, fearful, proud Jack following his exploits up the beanstalk.

It was a delight to see, from my vantage point at the front of the stage, the genuine look of shock on Taron’s face as he heard the news. After an emotional moment, he collected himself long enough to accept his prize — generously donated by Rex Bunnett of Overtures: The Bunnett Muir Musical Theatre Archive Trust — from Society patron Julia McKenzie, accompanied by a roar from his supporters high in the gods.

And from his own words --

The Finals – A Winner’s view by Taron Egerton

I had heard of the event because I’m good friends with the winner of the 2009 competition, Michael Peavoy. When I got a call from Jane, the head of singing at RADA, one Saturday asking me if I would like to audition I was chuffed to bits but I could feel the nerves bubbling as soon as I put the phone down.

I started having extra tutorials with my brilliant teacher Philip Raymond, working on “Giants in the Sky” and went along with Jennifer Logan to audition. I remember we sat outside terrified because we were convinced that we wouldn’t able to hold our own against what were bound to be a load of incredible musical theatre performers. I knew she’d nail it but we couldn’t believe it when we both got through to the final; I promptly began having regular panic-attacks but, again, I was overjoyed.

From then until the weekend of the competition it was just lots and lots of work on “Giants” and my song from a new musical “May As Well and Why Not”, which I very quickly fell in love with. Working on the character of big bullish Laurent from Craig and Nona’s musical adaptation of Thérèse Raquin was a lovely contrast to the young, excitable Jack from Into the Woods.

The big weekend got closer and closer in the same way a speeding train might and before I knew it I was on my way to meet the other finalists at Arts Ed on May 21st. I was so relieved to get there and find it didn’t feel at all like a competition and that every last one of them was not only amazingly talented but really, really lovely. As we rehearsed the opening number, I relaxed and even began to get a bit excited at the prospect of performing on that enormous stage at the Queen’s Theatre.

That evening I had a lovely meal and one (very small) glass of beer with my mum and auntie and we saw a play in Covent Garden. They had come down on the train earlier that day; my mum was more nervous than me! The next morning I got up and packed my smart clothes and headed for Piccadilly Circus. It was such a buzz using the stage-door and having our microphones fitted. I watched everyone do a quick run through of their songs on the stage, mesmerised by how great they all were and then sat and waited in our dressing room while all those hundreds of people filed in. Katie Bernstein was up before me and I remember thinking: ‘What the hell am I doing on stage competing with someone with a voice that gorgeous’. However, the moment came to sing and I loved it. The nerves went and I just had such a great time. The audience were really warm and friendly and I relished every moment. It’s a lovely theatre to play to and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to sing for so many people on that fantastic stage.

After everyone had performed and Michael Peavoy had given his awesome rendition of “Being Alive” the judges came on stage to announce the winner. Meanwhile, I was stood leaning ‘oh-so-coolly’ against a wall side-stage wondering which one of the others would win. After Katie was announced as the runner-up I was looking from person to person, unable to decide who my favourite was, when they called my name. The rest is a bit of blur; I heard afterwards that a very small portion of the audience comprised of friends from home, family and RADAfolk went a bit berserk and there was lots of jumping about, crying and screaming. From what I can remember it involved me walking out onto the stage towards a grinning Julie McKenzie with the most absurd look of shock on my face, an extremely uneloquent speech and a slightly tearier version of “Giants in the Sky” than Stephen Sondheim probably intended. The whole experience is something I will never forget and I’m massively grateful to everyone involved; thank you. It was so special to meet some wonderful new people and also to have so many of the people closest to me there to be a part of one of the loveliest moments of my life.

I am surprised that he did not take the route of the theatre, musical theatre in particular, to start his career and chose the film medium itself? Or did he, like Hugh, got sidetracked by the silver screen?

I wonder if he and Hugh ever sang together on the set of EDDIE THE EAGLE

Btw, wasn't he supposed to send Hugh a tape of him singing ( he has a tenor range) when they were filming or was that when he auditioned in NYC (while Hugh was doing The River)? I thought he might have been in the running for the role that may have gone to Zac Efron ( no official word yet that he will do the feature role in GREATEST SHOWMAN).

Btw, the Queens Theatre where the contest was held is the current home of LES MISERABLES. It is also almost next to Leicester Square where we have seen Hugh attend a few film premieres.

Jo

[jo]

From early notes on EDDIE THE EAGLE on the forum --

Taron, you won a musical theatre competition at drama school. Any thoughts of pursuing that career trajectory on screen?

TE: I have never worked professionally in musical theatre but I love to sing, I always have. I would love to do a musical at some point.


That segues neatly into my next question ... I understand you are about to start work with Hugh Jackman on a biopic about Olympic skier Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.

TE: There’s no singing in it, but I met him in December and I told him I was about to do some Christmas carolling (back home in Wales). He asked me to send a video, which I did, of me and my friends at a pub doing some organised carol-singing.

I wonder if Taron shared with Hugh that he won the STUDENT PERFORMER OF THE YEAR Prize sponsored by THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM SOCIETY? Sondheim is not the easiest work to perform.

[jo]

It looks like THE AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY organization in New York is co-sponsoring an advance screening of EDDIE THE EAGLE on January 7, 2016.

Not sure if there are still tickets left, as the notice was given 2 hours ago.

aucommunity.org/

Check out the Social media part of the page.

Or go directly to this link they have provided --

www.gofobo.com/index.php/main/movie_landing/aVJ2UVEwNDAwOA%3D%3D



Will Hugh be there


Jo

[jo]

Dana Davenport ‏@danadavenport59 · 3h3 hours ago
@aucommunity @realhughjackman tried says screening is full.... Thanks for getting back to me



Australian Community
‏@aucommunity @danadavenport59 @realhughjackman We are trying to get more tickets. In any case the movie is worth the price of admission!

'Fess now -- who got all the tickets

Jo

[jo]

The event which, it seems, Hugh has partly arranged for his compatriots is likely one of his contributions for the celebration of AUSTRALIA DAY this month.


Jo

[jo]

More on Taron --


www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/birkenhead-born-actor-taron-egerton-10695357

Wirral born Taron Egerton is one of five actors nominated for an EE Rising Star award at this year’s BAFTAs.

Taron, 26, has been nominated alongside John Boyega (Star Wars: Episode VII, Attack the Block), Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey, The Social Network), Brie Larson (Trainwreck, 21 Jump Street) and Bel Powley (The Diary of a Teenage Girl, Little Dorrit).

He recently starred as the lead role of Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin in Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, with Colin Firth, Michael Caine and Samuel L. Jackson.

Born in Birkenhead Taron moved to Anglesey when he was 12 where he spent the rest of his teenage years.

He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and graduated in 2012 after winning the Stephen Sondheim Society ‘Student Performer of the Year’ award in 2011.

He also had roles in Testament of Youth, based on the life of Vera Brittain, and as Edward ‘Mad Teddy’ Smith opposite Tom Hardy in Legend, a biopic feature about the Kray twins.


This year Taron is playing the title role in the film Eddie The Eagle, opposite Hugh Jackman, and is lending his voice to new musical animation comedy Sing, alongside Matthew McConaughey.

Taron said: “I am so grateful to BAFTA and the jury for the nomination. I feel incredibly fortunate to be considered for the EE Rising Star Award amongst such talented candidates.

“It’s a real honour to be considered for this prestigious award.”

The nominees for the EE Rising Star Award - which recognises five stars who demonstrate exceptional talent and are destined to have a promising future in film - were chosen by a panel that included Broadchurch’s Olivia Colman and TV personality Jonathan Ross.

It is the only award at the EE British Academy Film Awards ceremony that is voted for by the public. The winner will be announced at the star-studded ceremony on February 14.

[jo]

Written by Filipino/American journalist based in Hollywood/LA Ruben Nepales ( who once chaired the Hollywood Foreign Press Correspondents which votes on the Golden Globes awards) this is his projection of the most interesting movies to see in 2016.

EDDIE THE EAGLE makes it to his list which includes many blockbusters and star-filled vehicles.

entertainment.inquirer.net/187180/another-star-wars-film-batman-superman-zoolander-models-coming-to-your-galaxy-in-2016


I have a feeling that Ruben is a Hugh fan - he has written several articles on Hugh in relation to new movie releases. He chaired the HFPC when Les Miserables and Hugh won Golden Globe awards.

Jo

[jo]

Minneapolis advance screening moved to January 21 or is this an additional date?

www.phenomnaltwincities.com/free-screening-eddie-eagle/

January 21 is closer to AUSTRALIA DAY, which is celebrated on January 26, 2016.


Jo

[jo]

A plug for EDDIE THE EAGLE for its April release in the UK ( among the movies to watch in 2016) --

www.hinckleytimes.net/whats-on/film-news/movies-look-big-releases-2016-10695280


Another endorsement for EDDIE, courtesy of The Chicago Tribune --

swtimes.com/features/entertainment/greek-weddings-and-guys-capes-dominate-winter-movie-screen

with the names of Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken securing the nod!


Hey, what about a movie video to include not just Taron ( who has musical theatre training) and Hugh but also dance and song star Christopher Walken. It is said that Hugh's Lipton Tea Hotel dance ad was inspired by the younger Christopher Walken's fabulous dance moves...and of course he was recently featured as Captain Hook in the live action TV musical Peter Pan in 2014.


Jo

[jo]

More feedbacks from the advance screenings --

Andrew Stanger ‏@astanger · 1h1 hour ago  Manhattan, NY
Just saw screening of @eddieeaglemovie excellent - like Forrest Gump crossed with Rocky @taronegerton @realhughjackman

MondayMorningMatinee ‏@mmmfilm · 1h1 hour ago
#EddieTheEagle: A safe, inspirational sports tale, that wins you over with likeable performances from @taronegerton + @realhughjackman. - W

CarLeasingConcierge ‏@carleaseorbuy · 3m3 minutes ago
Just attended a screening of #EddieTheEagle. What a hugely inspirational, funny, triumphant story. @realhughjackman is great! Go see! #NYC

[mamaleh]

The positive word sounds promising. I hope those tweets are all from objective sources.

Ellen

[jo]

Rielly Alexander ‏@riellyalexander · 38m38 minutes ago
@realhughjackman @taronegerton I just saw you guys in Eddie The Eagle. I loved it! Taron has a lot of talent

Weird Life Of V ‏@weirdlifeofv · 2h2 hours ago  Los Angeles, CA
@taronegerton @realhughjackman Just saw #eddietheeagle and loved it. Need to learn more about him.

[jo]

Nothing really to do with the film, but Hugh, Taron, Christopher (Walken), and director Dexter Fletcher at a private dinner with Alan Rickman and at/with Jamie Oliver.

[jo]

Soonfeed ‏@soonfeed · 27m27 minutes ago
Soon:A conversation starts after the #launch of @eddieeaglemovie.Join4Alert soonfeed.com/happenings/a-conversation-starts-after-the-launch-of-eddie-the-eagle-a-film-with-hugh-jackman-christopher-walken … #EddieEagleMovie

February 26, 2016
20:00 - 04:00


Join iCAL


A conversation starts after the launch of Eddie the Eagle, a film with Hugh Jackman & Christopher Walken.
twitter.com/hashtag/eddietheeagle?f=tweets&vertical=default&src=hash


Add to your iCAL or "Join" for an email alert as it starts. Hosted by Twitter.







Also, to keeping tabs of what people are talking about re EDDIE THE EAGLE, via Twitter.

The hashtag is #eddietheeagle --

twitter.com/hashtag/eddietheeagle?f=tweets&vertical=default&src=hash

[jo]

Another advance screening event, this time in Revere, Massachusetts on 21 January 2016 :

www.gofobo.com/index.php/main/movie_landing/RWRkaWVTQU5USQ%3D%3D



The screening in Minnesota has also been rescheduled to 21 January 2016 :

www.gofobo.com/index.php/main/movie_landing/RFN5YXQwNTYyMQ%3D%3D

[jo]

The worldwide release schedule seems close to being complete.

www.imdb.com/title/tt1083452/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_inf%20

The release dates for 71 countries are fairly wide-spread, but mostly clustered close to the USA release date ( late February) and the UK ( early April). No scheduled release in China, yet!

Will Hugh do any media junkets?


Jo

[annetter]

Hugh will b on Ellen DeGeneres Friday 1/29 with his Eddie the Eagle costars

[jo]

Thanks, Annette.

Where is the ELLEN show filmed/taped? California?

Hugh will be at the G'DAY USA event on January 26 in LA...so maybe he is taking advantage of the time to put in some publicity appearances for EDDIE THE EAGLE on the way there.

I hope he also has some business with FOX, his agent, and other studios in Hollywood which can confirm how his filming schedules will look like this year and maybe even next year.

I think there is also some buzz that he might also appear on a talk show(s) in New York closer to the release date of the movie.

[annetter]

Yes, Ellen is filmed in L A.

The G'Day USA/LA dinner is 1/28 & Ellen show is 1/29

Hopefully, we will hear about NYC talk shows soon too

[jo]

Thanks. I think he may be performing at the G'DAY USA event, the way his name is being mentioned separately as an attendee. There are also accounts that there will be some entertainment.

So, he will be there for back-to-back days. I guess I confused it with AUSTRALIA DAY which is actually on January 26... Hope there is also some news on the Hollywood front, if he has a chance to visit there, including calling on Patrick W.

Jo